Joe Lombardi

For the basketball coach, see Joe Lombardi (basketball).

Joe Lombardi
refer to caption
Lombardi with the New Orleans Saints in 2009
Denver Broncos
Position:Offensive coordinator
Personal information
Born: (1971-06-06) June 6, 1971 (age 53)
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Career information
High school:Seattle (WA) Seattle Preparatory
College:Air Force Academy
Career history
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
Record at Pro Football Reference

Joseph Philip Lombardi (born June 6, 1971) is an American football coach and former player who is the offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers. Lombardi also previously served as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Falcons. He is the grandson of Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach Vince Lombardi.

Early years

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A 1994 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Lombardi played tight end for the Falcons under head coach Fisher DeBerry. He lettered three seasons and started as a senior; he also lettered a season in lacrosse.[1][2] He served his four years on active duty in the Air Force, where he was a program manager on the F-22 program at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.[3] In the last two years of his military time, he juggled his football and Air Force schedules as he was a volunteer coach at Dayton.[4][5][6]

Coaching career

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Early career

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Prior to coaching in the NFL, Lombardi coached at the college level at Mercyhurst University (Formerly Mercyhurst College), Bucknell University, the Virginia Military Institute, and the University of Dayton. He coached for the New York/New Jersey Hitmen during the one year of the XFL.

Atlanta Falcons

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In 2006, Lombardi was hired by the Atlanta Falcons as a defensive assistant under head coach Jim Mora.

New Orleans Saints

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In 2007, Lombardi was hired by the New Orleans Saints as an offensive assistant and was promoted to quarterbacks coach in 2009 and the Saints would go on to win the Super Bowl that season.[7] During his time in New Orleans, starting quarterback Drew Brees set numerous passing records, including passing for more than 5,000 yards five times (four times with Lombardi as quarterbacks coach), and setting the record (now surpassed) for the most passing yards in a single season (5,476 in 2011).

Detroit Lions

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In 2014, Lombardi was hired by the Detroit Lions as their offensive coordinator under head coach Jim Caldwell. On October 26, 2015, he was fired by the Lions, along with several other members of the coaching staff, after a 1–6 start to the season.[8]

New Orleans Saints (second stint)

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In 2016, Lombardi was re-hired by the New Orleans Saints as their quarterbacks coach.[9]

Los Angeles Chargers

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On January 25, 2021, Lombardi was hired by the Los Angeles Chargers as their offensive coordinator under head coach Brandon Staley.[10][11] He was fired on January 17, 2023, following an NFL Wild Card loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars where the Chargers lost despite a 27-point lead at one point during the 2nd quarter.[12] He was strongly criticized during the season as causing a talented offense to regress and limiting the performance of quarterback Justin Herbert.[12]

Denver Broncos

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On February 25, 2023, the Denver Broncos announced the hiring of Lombardi as their offensive coordinator; reuniting him with the Broncos' new head coach Sean Payton.[13]

Personal life

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Lombardi is the grandson of Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, who died the year before he was born, and son of Vince Lombardi Jr.[14][15] The youngest of four siblings,[16][17] Lombardi also lived in Washington, New York, and Michigan.[18][19] Lombardi played high school football at Seattle Prep, and graduated in 1990.[20]

Lombardi and his wife Molly have four sons and three daughters.[21]

References

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  1. ^ "Joe Lombardi: Quarterbacks". New Orleans Saints. Archived from the original on June 18, 2010. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  2. ^ "Joe Lombardi". Mercyhurst College Athletics. 2005. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  3. ^ "Saints' Joe Lombardi credits time in uniform in helping shape who he is today".
  4. ^ Dougherty, Pete (September 18, 2014). "Joe Lombardi building own NFL legacy". Packer News. Press-Gazette Media. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  5. ^ Tiernan, Ricky (June 23, 2013). "New Orleans Saints' Joe Lombardi: his own legacy". Canal Street Chronicles. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  6. ^ Wehrle, Phil (August 5, 2009). "Saints quarterbacks coach Joe Lombardi living family dream". NOLA.com. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  7. ^ Wine, Stephen (February 4, 2010). "Lombardi family has shot at another NFL title". Seattle Times. Associated Press. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  8. ^ Katzenstein, Josh (October 26, 2015). "Lions fire coordinator Lombardi, two OL coaches". Detroit News. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
  9. ^ "Joe Lombardi". NewOrleansSaints.com. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
  10. ^ Communications, Chargers (January 25, 2021). "Los Angeles Chargers Agree to Terms with Joe Lombardi, Renaldo Hill and Derius Swinton II for Coordinator Positions". www.chargers.com. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  11. ^ Maya, Adam (January 25, 2021). "Chargers hiring Saints QBs coach Joe Lombardi as offensive coordinator". www.nfl.com. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  12. ^ a b Thiry, Lindsey (January 17, 2023). "Chargers fire OC Joe Lombardi after playoff collapse". ESPN.com.
  13. ^ DiLalla, Aric (February 25, 2023). "Broncos announce series of coaching hires". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  14. ^ "Chip off the Block Vince Lombardi's grandson is playing college football". Sports Illustrated. November 4, 1991. Archived from the original on October 24, 2014. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  15. ^ Eskenazi, Gerald (March 30, 1982). "Lombardi's son is confronting an image". New York Times. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  16. ^ Anderson, Dave (November 29, 1976). "Vince Lombardi's son". New York Times. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  17. ^ Lewis, Mike (January 11, 2008). "Under The Needle: Meet Vince Lombardi, Seahawks fan". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  18. ^ "Obituary: Jill Frances Lombardi". Minot Daily News. February 26, 2013. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  19. ^ Carpenter, Les (January 28, 2001). "Evincing the Lombardi legend". Seattle Times. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  20. ^ Peoples, John (October 29, 1989). "Lombardi's grandson gets no special treatment". Chicago Tribune. (Seattle Times). Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  21. ^ "Joe Lombardi's Super Bowl and Super Faith Stories". National Catholic Register. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
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