Gary Kubiak is set to hire his first defensive assistant in Denver by bringing defensive line coach Bill Kollar over from Houston. Kollar, 62, spent six seasons with the Texans, including his first five under Kubiak. Houston coach Bill O'Brien permitted the lateral move because Kollar's two sons and grandsons live in Denver.
Kollar is credited with playing a large role in the development of J.J. Watt; he'll take over for Jay Rodgers, whose brother, Jeff, has followed John Fox to Chicago. There's no word yet on whether Jay will join the exodus.
According to Mike Klis, Denver still hopes to pry secondary coach Vance Joseph away from Cincy as their defensive coordinator. In addition to Wade Phillips, whom the team has reportedly contacted, Klis says the Broncos are considering incumbent linebackers coach Richard Smith, former Falcons head man Mike Smith, or Ravens linebackers coach Wink Martindale, who was Denver's DC in 2010.
Richard Smith was Kubiak's first DC in Houston, but was fired after three seasons. Mike Smith is also a candidate to reunite with Jack Del Rio in Oakland; Smith was JDR's first DC in Jacksonville. Martindale would be a surprising choice; his Broncos unit finished dead last in both yards and points allowed.
h/t BRASO