Broncos tap ex-49ers coach Nolan defensive coordinator

DENVER, Colorado (AFP) — The Denver Broncos tapped Mike Nolan as their defensive coordinator Monday, three months after he was sacked as head coach of National Football League rivals San Francisco.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but multiple media outlets reported earlier this month that Nolan and the Broncos agreed to a two-year contract.

Nolan, 49, served as a defensive coordinator for four different teams before taking the head coaching job with the 49ers, who went 18-37 in three-plus seasons under his guidance.

In Denver, Nolan will work under new head coach Josh McDaniels, who replaced longtime coach Mike Shanahan in an unexpected move earlier this month.

McDaniels is the NFL's second-youngest head coach at 32 and has been heralded as an offensive guru following his successful spell as an assistant with the New England Patriots.

However, McDaniels will be able to lean on the experienced Nolan, who has spent 11 seasons as a defensive coordinator in the NFL.

Nolan has held defensive coordinator positions with the New York Giants (1993-96), Washington Redskins (1997-99), New York Jets (2000) and Baltimore Ravens (2002-04).