Mike Heimerdinger

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Michael "Mike" Heimerdinger (born October 13, 1952 in DeKalb, Illinois) is the assistant head coach for the Denver Broncos succeeding Gary Kubiak who took the head coaching position with the Houston Texans. He attended Eastern Illinois University and was roommates with Mike Shanahan, and was receivers coach for Shanahan with the Denver Broncos, from 1995 until 1999. From 2000 to 2004, he was the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans and offensive coordinator for the New York Jets for the 2005 season. Prior to that, he coached for Duke University offensive coordinator, Rice University offensive coordinator, Cal State Fullerton, University of Florida wide receivers, North Texas State, and the United States Air Force Academy.

He was hired by the Jets in 2005, as offensive coordinator, in what would be a disastrous season for the franchise. After the Jets' Head Coach Herman Edwards was released from his contract, Heimerdinger was interviewed (and passed over) for the head coaching position. Although it would become obvious he would have preferred to void his contract with the Jets, he would initially be informed by new coach Eric Mangini that he would be retained as offensive coordinator as per his original contract. He would later be released from his contract by the Jets as part of an undisclosed agreement. He would then take a position as the Denver Broncos assistant head coach under Mike Shanahan.