Broncos hiring UNLV’s defensive coordinator as new LBs coach

UNLV defensive coordinator Peter Hansen worked with ex-Broncos coach Vic Fangio and expected new DC Ejiro Evero in SF from 2011-13.

The Denver Broncos are hiring UNLV defensive coordinator Peter Hansen as their new linebackers coach, according to a report from KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. Hansen will replace ex-LBs coach Reggie Herring, who was let go last week.

Hansen, 42, played college football and basketball at Arizona before going on to play one season of semi-pro football in France and two seasons of professional basketball in Denmark. Hansen transitioned to coaching in 2004, joining Palo Alto High School, his alma mater, as a tight ends/defensive ends coach.

He later joined Stanford, first as a strength and conditioning coach (2008) before becoming a defensive assistant (2009-10). Hansen joined the San Francisco 49ers as a defensive assistant/outside linebackers coach in 2011, working under then-defensive coordinator Vic Fangio from 2011-13.

Hansen also overlapped with Los Angeles Rams secondary coach/passing game coordinator Ejiro Evero, who worked in San Francisco from 2011-15. The Broncos are expected to hire Evero as their new defensive coordinator after the Rams play in Super Bowl LVI on Sunday.

After spending three years with the 49ers, Hansen returned to Stanford as an inside linebackers coach in 2014. He coached the Cardinal linebackers for six seasons before being hired by UNLV as defensive coordinator in 2020.

Denver fired Fangio following the 2021 season and replaced him with Nathaniel Hackett. By hiring Evero and Hansen, the Broncos have ensured that elements of Fangio’s successful defensive scheme will remain in Denver.

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