Former NFL coach Joe Collier dies at 91

DENVER — Joe Collier, former head coach of the Buffalo Bills and architect of the Denver Broncos’ famous “Orange Crush” defense, has died. He was 91 years old.

The Broncos said Collier’s family confirmed he died Monday evening at his home in Littleton, Colorado.

“Joe Collier is one of the most influential coaches in Denver Broncos history and is considered one of the best defensive coordinators of all time,” the Broncos said in a statement. “He was an innovator in the NFL with his 3-4 defense, helping the Broncos to three Super Bowl appearances during a legendary career with our franchise that spanned more than two decades.

“Intelligent, modest and soft-spoken, Collier provided consistent leadership to five different head coaches as the Broncos became perennial contenders in the 1970s and 1980s. His profound influence on countless players and coaches in Denver included 12 Broncos Ring of Famers, 11 Pro Bowl selections and 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Randy Gradishar.

In a recent interview with the Associated Press regarding Gradishar’s induction into Canton this summer, Collier said, “It was long overdue. I couldn’t be more proud of him. Randy was a great leader on our defense .”

Collier said he hoped Gradishar’s enshrinement would do two things: show today’s fans what a coldly effective tackler Gradishar was and open the door for more members of the Orange Crush defense to come in. in the Hall of Fame.

Collier spent 20 seasons on the Broncos coaching staff from 1969 to 1988, a tenure surpassed only by Mike Shanahan’s 21 years. Collier helped Denver to a 168-132-7 record, five division titles and Super Bowl appearances following the 1977, 1986 and 1987 seasons.

Led by Collier’s defense, the Broncos made their first of eight Super Bowl appearances following the 1977 season, when they defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders in the playoffs to win the AFC. The Broncos lost to Dallas in the Super Bowl.

Collier began coaching at Western Illinois University (1957-59) before moving into professional football as an assistant with the Boston Patriots from 1960-61. He coached the Bills’ linebackers and defensive backs from 1962 to 1965 before taking over as head coach from 1966 to 1968. He returned to New England as defensive coordinator from 1991 to 1992.

Collier had a 13-16-1 record in charge of the Bills, leading them to the AFL Eastern Division title in 1966 with a 9-4-1 record.

He was a two-time All-America defensive end at Northwestern before being drafted by the New York Giants in 1954.

Collier is survived by three children, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

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