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From Zach Strief to Davis Webb to Darren Sproles, coach Sean Payton has an excellent eye for players-turned-coaches.
One of the newest additions is former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Willie Snead, who played in the NFL from 2014-2024 before transitioning to coaching. He joined the Denver Broncos as an offensive quality control coach this spring. Snead now joins a growing list of players who have gotten their first NFL coaching job under Payton.
"I had the good fortune of being able to coach Willie early in his career," Payton said at rookie minicamp earlier this month. "I give him a hard time. I think he played 12 or 13 years, and I always tell him he played 11 too many, but he always knew who he was. He was a tremendous blocker, smart, tough, and he had to step on all the bases. He was undrafted. I think we got him off of someone’s practice squad. I can’t even remember how he arrived, but he played… You lose track of the years, and then you followed him with San Francisco.
"When I reached out to him, he was in Florida. His father is a coach, and he was getting into coaching so he was excited about the opportunity. The other young quality control coaches also, they all have a good story. You’re looking to develop talented guys. He was so smart as a player, and honestly, that had a lot to do with how he ended up playing so long.”
Snead spent time with seven NFL teams during his 11-year career in the NFL. He had his best two-year stretch from 2015-2016 playing under Payton. Snead totaled 141 receptions for 1,879 yards and seven touchdowns in that two-year run. He's now retired with 281 catches for 3,445 yards and 16 touchdowns on his résumé. The 33-year-old coach will look to follow in the path of other players-turned-coaches who found success on Payton's staff after hanging up their cleats.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Sean Payton comments on Willie Snead joining staff
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One of the newest additions is former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Willie Snead, who played in the NFL from 2014-2024 before transitioning to coaching. He joined the Denver Broncos as an offensive quality control coach this spring. Snead now joins a growing list of players who have gotten their first NFL coaching job under Payton.
"I had the good fortune of being able to coach Willie early in his career," Payton said at rookie minicamp earlier this month. "I give him a hard time. I think he played 12 or 13 years, and I always tell him he played 11 too many, but he always knew who he was. He was a tremendous blocker, smart, tough, and he had to step on all the bases. He was undrafted. I think we got him off of someone’s practice squad. I can’t even remember how he arrived, but he played… You lose track of the years, and then you followed him with San Francisco.
"When I reached out to him, he was in Florida. His father is a coach, and he was getting into coaching so he was excited about the opportunity. The other young quality control coaches also, they all have a good story. You’re looking to develop talented guys. He was so smart as a player, and honestly, that had a lot to do with how he ended up playing so long.”
Snead spent time with seven NFL teams during his 11-year career in the NFL. He had his best two-year stretch from 2015-2016 playing under Payton. Snead totaled 141 receptions for 1,879 yards and seven touchdowns in that two-year run. He's now retired with 281 catches for 3,445 yards and 16 touchdowns on his résumé. The 33-year-old coach will look to follow in the path of other players-turned-coaches who found success on Payton's staff after hanging up their cleats.
Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Sean Payton comments on Willie Snead joining staff
Continue reading...
