Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton added a familiar face to his staff on Friday, hiring former New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi as assistant head coach and special teams coordinator.

Rizzi, 54, served as special teams coordinator on Payton’s staff from 2019-21, when both were with New Orleans. Rizzi spent six seasons with the Saints, including an eight-game stint as interim head coach in 2024 when the club went 3-5.

Before joining the Saints’ staff, Rizzi began his NFL coaching career in 2009 with the Miami Dolphins, spending 10 seasons there in various roles, including special teams coordinator.

The New Jersey native spent time on the staffs of five colleges, including three seasons as New Haven’s head coach and six seasons in various coaching positions at Rutgers.

–Field Level Media