Embattled Denver Broncos Coach Nathaniel Hackett Has Kansas City Chiefs Roots

Paul Hackett, the father of Denver Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett, was the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive coordinator from 1993 to 1997.

As a result, Nathaniel was a constant presence with the Chiefs during the mid-1990s and even served as a ballboy during training camp.

“I really like him,” Chiefs Hall of Famer Tim Grunhard exclusively shared. “Nathaniel and Brian (head coach Marty Schottenheimer’s son) were around quite a bit. They were always at training camp. They were always on the bus before and after games. They traveled a lot with the teams.”

Grunhard, who anchored the Chiefs’ offensive line from 1990 to 2000, was in the middle of his career when Nathaniel was in high school at Blue Valley Northwest High, and the center got the sense the high schooler, who was called “Nate” by the Chiefs back then, would follow in his father’s coaching footsteps.

“Just a sharp kid,” Grunhard said, “you kinda knew.”

Nathaniel’s father helped the Chiefs, who play the AFC West rival Broncos on Sunday, transition from the run-focused, MartyBall scheme to a more wide-open, West Coast Offense quarterbacked by Joe Montana.

The Chiefs reached the playoffs — including three AFC West titles — in four of the five years Paul ran the offense.

In contrast, Nathaniel’s tenure with the Broncos is off to a very difficult start. Riddled with injuries — including a league-high 15 players on injured reserve as of Dec. 3 — Denver is 3-9 and in last place in the AFC West.

The 42-year-old Nathaniel is in the first year of his four-year contract, but many have speculated he might not last past this season.

Grunhard, though, preached patience.

“I think he’s a great coach. I think there’s some growing pains,” Grunhard said. “There’s an adjustment period for all first-year people, and I don’t care if you’re an assistant coach. It’s different to have HC next to your name.”

The Broncos had high expectations after hiring Nathaniel and acquiring Russell Wilson.

Denver traded two first-round picks, two second-round picks, a fifth-round pick, quarterback Drew Lock, defensive lineman Shelby Harris and tight end Noah Fant for Wilson and a fourth-round pick and then signed the quarterback to a five-year, $245 million extension.

That total contract value ranks third in the NFL, and the average annual value (AAV) of $49 million ranks second to Aaron Rodgers’ $50.2 million.

Nathaniel coached Rodgers while he won back-to-back MVPs with the Green Bay Packers. So the expectation was for Nathaniel to successfully guide Wilson as well.

But Wilson is on pace for career lows in completion percentage and touchdown passes by a significant margin. He has completed just 60.1% of his passes for 2,558 yards, eight touchdowns and five interceptions.

Interestingly, Wilson’s offensive coordinator from 2018 to 2020 with the Seattle Seahawks was Brian Schottenheimer, a coach’s son who — like Nathaniel — was often around the Chiefs in the 1990s.

When Wilson faced off against his former Seahawks team in Week One, Nathaniel made a glaring coaching gaffe.

Instead of going for it on 4th and 5, Nathaniel ran the clock down and had Brandon McManus attempt a 64-yard field goal. McManus missed, and the Broncos lost 17-16.

Fast forward to Week 14, and Denver is on a four-game losing streak.

“Listen: I’m not a huge Bronco fan,” Grunhard said. “But I’m a Nathaniel Hackett fan and I’m hoping he can turn it around.”