Broncos hire former Steelers OL coach Munchak for same position

Former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line coach Mike Munchak accepted the same position with the Broncos, Denver coach Vic Fangio said Monday. With Munchak joining the Broncos, the franchise has lured its two finalists for the vacancy at head coach, which went to Fangio, formerly the defensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears. "There's nobody better as an offensive line coach than Mike Munchak," Fangio said in a statement.

"The combination of his ability to coach the individual with his ability to coach the group -- while also being a big part of the overall offense -- is very impressive. "Mike's experience and stature as a coach in the NFL make this a home run hire for us. We're very excited to add him to our staff."Munchak's contract with the Steelers expired at the end of the season. Until Friday, it was presumed former Broncos quarterback and head coach Gary Kubiak was set to shift from the front office to oversee the Broncos' offense.

However, the two sides split over a difference of philosophy, and Kubiak was hired as an offensive adviser by the Minnesota Vikings on Monday. Munchak, 58, has three years of head-coaching experience, going 22-26 from 2011 to 2013 with the Tennessee Titans. He could have stayed with the team longer but was fired when he declined to make changes to his staff. He has spent the past five years in his current position in Pittsburgh after spending the first 20 years of his coaching career with the Titans/Houston Oilers franchise. Munchak was a Hall of Fame guard for the Oilers during a 12-year playing career.