Michael Wilhoite
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Former NFL linebacker and Denver Broncos assistant coach Michael Wilhoite.
It was a busy day at the Douglas County Courthouse for the Denver Broncos on Monday, with star edge rusher Jonathon Cooper pleading not guilty after a domestic violence arrest and his former position coach, Michael Wilhoite, being exonerated of all charges in his February 2025 arrest at the Denver Airport that led to him being fired from his job.
“Former Broncos coach Michael Wilhoite had all charges against him dismissed and the court filings have been sealed, his attorney Harvey Steinberg told 9NEWS following a hearing Monday involving another of Steinberg’s clients, Broncos’ outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper,” Broncos reporter Mike Klis wrote. “Wilhoite allegedly punched a Denver policeman in the face at a drop-off traffic zone at Denver International Airport on Feb. 23, 2025. Wilhoite was originally charged with second-degree felony assault of a police officer, misdemeanor obstruction of a police office and misdemeanor criminal mischief.”
Wilhoite, 38, was the Broncos’ outside linebackers coach in 2023 and 2024 and had been an NFL assistant coach since 2019 after a 7-year playing career with the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks.
He was previously an assistant coach for the New Orleans Saints under Broncos head coach Sean Payton, as well as with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Wilhoite was fired by Payton just over a week after the arrest.
“After thorough discussions as an organization, I met with Michael Wilhoite and informed him we have decided to part ways,” Broncos head coach Sean Payton said in a prepared statement released to ESPN in March 2025. “We recognize the serious nature of the allegations against him and believe this is the best course of action at this time. I appreciate Michael’s contributions to the Broncos and am confident he will move forward in a positive direction.”