ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos on Sunday agreed to terms with John Benton to be their assistant offensive line coach, Head Coach Vance Joseph announced.
Benton has 30 years of coaching experience, including 13 seasons coaching offensive lines in the NFL. He most recently served as Jacksonville’s offensive line coach in 2016 and previously worked in the NFL for Miami (2014-15), Houston (2006-13) and St. Louis (2004-05).
Benton’s offensive line in Jacksonville during the 2016 season was among the NFL’s most improved, allowing 17 fewer sacks (34) than a year earlier for the third-best improvement in the league. His unit allowed a sack on only 5.4 percent of pass attempts for the 10th-best mark in the NFL.
Benton spent eight seasons (2006-13) as the offensive line coach in Houston, helping the offense rank eighth in total offense (357.0 ypg) during that span. Tackle Duane Brown, center Chris Myers and guard Wade Smith all earned Pro Bowl honors under Benton.
With the Texans, Benton’s offensive line was instrumental in establishing one of the NFL’s top-ranked offensive attacks. Houston set franchise records for rushing yards (2,448) and passing yards (4,654) in 2011 after posting a franchise-best 6,129 yards of total offense in 2009.
Before joining the Texans in 2006, Benton spent two seasons (2004-05) in St. Louis. His time with the Rams was highlighted by the presence of Pro Football Hall of Fame left tackle Orlando Pace.
Benton began his coaching career at his alma mater, Colorado State University, as a graduate assistant (1987-90) before serving as the offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator (1990-94) at California University (Pa.). He returned to CSU as the offensive line coach from 1995-00 and was promoted to co-offensive coordinator of the Rams from 2000-03.
A native of Durango, Colo., Benton was a four-year starter as an offensive lineman at Colorado State (1983-86).
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