The Broncos interviewed Mike Munchak for their head coach opening earlier this year but ended up hiring Vic Fangio for the position. The team still managed to land Munchak, hiring him as an offensive line coach.
Landing both Fangio and Munchak was a big coup. Fangio has an impressive defensive resume and Munchak is widely regarded as one of the best offensive line coaches in the NFL.
Munchak has only been with the team for a few months but he’s already made an impact.
“He’s the greatest out there,” right guard Ron Leary said after practice on June 5. “He treats us like pros and it’s easy to believe what he said because he played the game at such a high level being in the Hall of Fame and everything. He’s a great addition to us.
“He’s helped my game and I know he’s going to help it out even more. I think the guys tend to listen more to a guy that’s played the game and been there. The fact that he’s done that, all of the guys are hanging on to every word he says, so it’s great for the room.”
Leary is moving back to the right side of Denver’s line this year after playing left guard in 2018. Second-round draft pick Dalton Risner is expecting to be the starting left guard this season.
Leary was already a borderline Pro Bowl player before Munchak arrived. The coach might be able to help the offensive lineman improve enough to earn his first All-Star nod in 2019.
