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Broncos tab Popovich as new cornerbacks coach

By Drew Roberts
NCAA Football: Air Force at Boise State Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports

The last piece of the Bronco coaching puzzle was put in place yesterday with the hiring of Jeff Popovich as Boise State’s new corners coach. Popovich is quite the coaching journeyman, but comes to the Broncos directly from the Indianapolis Colts coaching staff, where he served as assistant to head coach Chuck Pagano prior to his unceremonious canning. Popovich had just completed his second season with the Colts organization and last year served as the defensive quality control coach.

Prior to his NFL stint, Popovich (or “Pop” as I’ll call him just for the hell of it) racked up 12 years of collegiate coaching experience, most recently at Western Carolina University—for two weeks (the NFL called...can you blame him?). His last ACTUAL college coaching gig was at UTSA, where he served as cornerbacks coach from 2013-2015, reuniting him with his college head coach Larry Coker. By virtue of the Larry Coker connection, you’ve probably gathered that he played his college ball for the Miami Hurricanes, where he was a four-year letter winner (‘96-’99). Pop also GA’d at Miami, spent six seasons at Florida International as a defensive backs coach, pro liaision and special teams coordinator and probably is really going to enjoy the non-humid Boise climate (besides, he’s from Arizona).

MOST IMPORTANTLY, Popovich once appeared on TV’s The Bachelorette and affectionately became known as the “Tire Guy” after a shirtless tire-changing...uh...stunt? He also modeled for Abercrombie & Fitch (you’ll just have to google that yourself), which may help swell attendance at the Boise State women’s football clinic if they ever bring it back. Now resigned to less hunky pursuits, Popovich seems more than ready to trade his Colts blue for Bronco blue:

“Boise State is a program of tradition and success,” Popovich said. “I couldn’t be more excited to be part of the culture Coach Harsin has created, developing athletes both on the field and, more importantly, off the field as young men. My family and I are honored to be Broncos and I can’t wait to get my feet on the blue turf.”

Welcome aboard, Coach Popovich (and family)! Incidentally, any tire-changing tips would be greatly appreciated. Do you use wheel wedges? What’s the quickest way to remove the lug nuts?