After recently firing defensive backs coach Addison Lynch, the Denver Broncos are hiring Doug Belk as the team’s new defensive backs coach for the 2026 NFL season. Despite having no professional football coaching experience, Belk has gained extensive college coaching experience over the years. Here’s more depth on Belk’s coaching resume, which is also a big reason the Broncos decided to hire him.
Valdosta State (2011-2013)
A native of Valdosta, Georgia, Belk attended Lowndes High School and Carson-Newman University, where he played quarterback, running back, and wide receiver. A year after his collegiate career ended, Belk began his college coaching career at Valdosta State.
In his first season on the Blazers’ staff, Belk worked primarily as a defensive assistant and contributed on special teams. The next two seasons, he was promoted to defensive backs coach and was a part of the team that won the 2012 NCAA Division II Football Championship.
Alabama (2014-2016)
2014 marked Belk’s first Division I coaching experience, and he wasn’t just coaching for any ordinary coach; he even took a pay cut to join Nick Saban’s staff at Alabama as a graduate assistant.During his three seasons with the Crimson Tide, Belk helped Alabama win the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship. Alabama also won the SEC every season Belk was on staff.
West Virginia (2017-2018)
The second opportunity for Belk to coach a secondary came in 2017, when West Virginia hired him as the Mountaineers’ cornerbacks coach, and he stayed there for two seasons before deciding to leave after the 2018 season ended.
Sep 30, 2023; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars associate head coach Doug Belk on the sidelines in the second half during the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Houston (2019-2023)
After former West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen left to coach Houston, Belk followed Holgorsen, and Houston named him the Cougars’ safeties coach and co-defensive coordinator. After his first season, Houston promoted Belk to an associate head coach.
In his third season with the Cougars, Houston promoted Belk to defensive coordinator, a role he held for two years until Houston decided to part ways with Holgorsen at the end of the 2023 season.
USC (2024-2025)
Most recently, Belk spent the last two seasons coaching football under Lincoln Riley at USC as the defensive backs coach. At USC, Belk developed defensive backs such as Jaylin Smith, Bishop Fitzgerald, and Kamari Ramsey.
Belk leaves USC to join Sean Payton’s staff and should strengthen defensive coordinator Vance Joseph’s secondary. Everyone knows Pat Surtain II is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, but fans will be keeping an eye on whether Belk can help elevate how well the rest of the secondary plays next season. If Belk succeeds, Denver’s defense could improve even further next season.