The guy that started it all will get his due.

Red Miller, the former Broncos coach who helped the team to their first divisional title, first playoff appearance, first postseason victory and first Super Bowl berth, was selected to the team’s Ring of Fame on Thursday, becoming its 32nd member and only its second coach.

The Broncos’ six-person Ring of Fame selection committee of former receiver turned play-by-play commentator Dave Logan, former voice of the Broncos Larry Zimmer, former general manager John Beake, former defensive coordinator Joe Collier, team historian Jim Saccomano and president/CEO Joe Ellis voted unanimously to make Miller, 89, their lone inductee for 2017.

“The Broncos have a proud championship history, and the person who helped start that winning tradition was Red Miller,” Ellis said via the team’s website. “So many of our franchise’s ‘firsts’ happened with Red as our head coach, most notably our first Super Bowl appearance back in 1977. It’s the 40th anniversary of that Super Bowl XII team coached by Red, and that makes his Ring of Fame selection this year even more special.”

After years of being passed over, he will finally see his bronze facade planted alongside many of his former players and coaches on the steps of Sports Authority Field at Mile High. This season, during a to-be-determined Broncos game in Denver, he will be formally inducted and welcomed as the newest member of the Broncos’ elite class. The Denver Post Late Broncos coach Robert "Red" Miller gets the traditional ride on shoulders of players Billy Thompson, left, Glenn Hyde on January 1, 1978.

Kenn Bisio, The Denver Post Bronco Coach Red Miller, usually calm and collected on sidelines, cheers jubilantly as quarterback Morton scrambles for touchdown in fourth quarter Sunday, November 27, 1977.

Kenn Bisio, The Denver Post 'There It Is! That's What I Told 'Em!'; Dejected Broncos undress and submit to interviews while backboard shows Coach Red Miller's halftime instructions, on January 19, 1978.



Richard Clarkson, The Denver Post Red Miller has some choice words for Gold linebacker John Barefield after a missed assignment, on March 13, 1983.

Glen Martin, The Denver Post Red Miller stands outside with Denver Tech Center in background.

Ernie Leyba, The Denver Post Denver Bronco Coach Red Miller exhorts players on as center Bobby Maples and tackle Glen Hyde (65) file into locker room after warming up before game.



Ernie Leyba, The Denver Post Denver Bronco Coach Red Miller discusses strategy with wide receiver Jack Dolbin before sending him onto the field near the end of the first half of Denver's game Sunday with the Cincinnati Bengals, on October 23, 1977.

Kenn Bisio, The Denver Post Denver Coach Red Miller gives instructions early in game in which Broncos beat Pittsburgh 21-7 Sunday in Denver, on November 6, 1977.

Kenn Bisio, The Denver Post Red Miller (left) can present a face to officials that matches his hair. Here he has some choice words for official Jim Rosser (98) during a game in Denver with safety Billy Thompson caught in the middle, on November 30, 1977.



Lyn Alweis, The Denver Post Bronco Coach, "Whooee! That Was A Good One!" Bronco Coach Red Miller exults over second- period touchdown, on December 4, 1977.

John Sunderland, The Denver Post Red Miller Reaches out to thank Bronco Fans at Stapleton Sunday Nite, on December 4, 1977. Several fans give the "We're No. 1" sign after the Broncos returned Sunday as AFL Western Division champions.

The Denver Post Adams County officials honor Denver Broncos and Coach Red Miller fourth from left; with Miller County administrator Dave Strasburger and Commissioners Jim Covey, John Campbell, Pete Mirelez, on December 6, 1977.



Ernie Leyba, The Denver Post Coach Red Miller (left) of the Denver Broncos, who became the man of the hour last year when he guided the Broncos into the Super Bowl, welcomes Don Latimer, the team's No. 1 draft choice, to Denver Thursday for 1978 rookie camp. Latimer is a defensive lineman form the University of Miami.

Coach Red Miller confers with Quarterback Norris Weese, on Sept. 17, 1978.

Kenn Bisio, The Denver Post There Was No Joy For Denver Coach Red Miller At End Of New York Jets Game, on November 5 1978. Miller's mood was caught by photographer as Jim Turner missed field goal that would have sent game into overtime.



Kenn Bisio, The Denver Post Red Miller Finally Laughs; Miller congratulated Rick Upchurch (not shown), on September 23, 1979.

John Sunderland, The Denver Post Red Miller Cheers Thompsons Touchdown on a Tony Dorsett Fumble Late In Second Quarter.; It was A Day For Smiles For Red Miller; Bronco head coach applauds play during Denver's 41-20 win over Dallas, on September 14, 1980.

John Sunderland, The Denver Post What's Going Through This Man's Mind? Bronco Coach Red Miller listens to quarterback Craig Morton on sidelines, November 23, 1980.



The Denver Post file Empire Sports One Big Happy Family; Denver Bronco Football Coach Mac Speedie and Denver Bears General Manager Jim Burris (football helmet) go all out to prove they're pulling together in promoting the two pro sports clubs of Empire Sports, Inc. Speedie is reading a Bears' promotion dodger, Burris a Broncos' ticket order blank. Looking over Speedie's shoulder are Ray Malavasi (left) and Red Miller, assistant Bronco coaches, on March 29, 1965.

Craig F. Walker, The Denver Post Former Broncos coach Red Miller, at his Denver home, displays a collection of Orange Crush cans from 1977.

Craig F. Walker, The Denver Post Former Broncos coach Red Miller, at his Denver home, poses for a portrait with the NFL coach of the year trophy he was honored with as the NFL coach of the year in 1977.



AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post Nine members of the "Orange Crush" 1977 Denver defense coach Red Miller; linebackers Randy Gradishar, Larry Evans, Joe Rizzo and Bob Swenson; tackle Rubin Carter; end Barney Chavous; and backs Steve Foley and Billy Thompson came through the field tunnel again Sunday at halftime of the Broncos' playoff game against the Colts at Sports Authority Field. The Denver Broncos played the Indianapolis Colts in an AFC divisional playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver on Jan. 11, 2015.

Miller took over for John Ralston in 1977 and promptly led the Broncos to Super Bowl XII, their first in franchise history. Riding a pair of six-game winning streaks, the Broncos finished 12-2, their finest record in their then-18 seasons of existence. They finished first in the division, beat the Steelers in the divisional round, then toppled the Raiders in the AFC championship game to punch their ticket to the Super Bowl.

“The key game was the Raiders,” Miller told The Denver Post in 2012. “We didn’t fold. We did it with willpower.”

The Broncos fell to the Dallas Cowboys 27-10 in Super Bowl XII in New Orleans, but Miller still earned 1977 coach of the year honors by The Associated Press.

Denver’s Coach of Firsts established a culture shift in Denver — and a new precedent.

“We always have a couple of names to go over,” Beake said. “Red, as we were discussing, it became unanimous that this is who we’d like to place into the Ring of Fame based on the fact that his coaching career — coming in 1977 and his four years here — were really sterling years that opened the doors and a pathway for the Denver Broncos to go on to where we are today. To have him be the head coach of the first appearance in a Super Bowl in ’77 in New Orleans versus Dallas was quite a landmark for someone who came in their first year and has that opportunity, especially at that time. It was a new era for the Denver Broncos, and we wanted to recognize Red Miller.”

After 17 seasons as an NFL offensive line coach, Miller turned an underachieving group in Denver into a winning franchise, overseeing one of the greatest defenses in history — the Orange Crush — and guiding the Broncos to a .645 winning percentage (40-22) as head coach. Miller also went 2-3 in the playoffs and never had a losing record in his four seasons.

“Hearing that great news from Joe and the rest of the committee brought back so many memories from those special seasons with the Broncos,” Miller told the Broncos’ website. “Looking back, it was a ragtag operation with where we were at the time. We had to build it up and get it going. All of our players and coaches carried us to a lot of success and brought so much excitement to the fans during those years. Related Articles May 4, 2017 PHOTOS: Broncos coach Red Miller through the years

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“I’m honored to join the Broncos’ all-time greats in the Ring of Fame, and I look forward to celebrating with the many people who helped make this possible.”

The Ring of Fame was established by owner Pat Bowlen in 1984 to honor former players and employees who made significant contributions to the Broncos. The last time only one person was selected in a year was 2015, when Bowlen himself was added as the 28th member.

Miller, No. 32, joins Dan Reeves as the only two coaches to be selected.

Receiver Lionel Taylor; Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Floyd Little; defensive end Rich Jackson and safety “Goose” Gonsoulin comprised the inaugural class of 1984. The group is now highlighted by Orange Crush members Paul Smith, Tom Jackson, Randy Gradishar, Louis Wright and Billy Thompson; Hall of Fame quarterback-turned-Broncos general manager John Elway (the only member to have his five-year waiting period waived); Broncos all-time leading receiver Rod Smith; Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe and all-time leading rusher and recent Hall of Fame inductee Terrell Davis.

This season, in addition to inducting Miller in the Ring of Fame, the Broncos plan to honor Davis and present him with his Pro Football Hall of Fame ring during a game this winter. Davis was selected to the Hall in February after failing to make the cut 11 times since retiring. He joins Elway, Sharpe, Little and Gary Zimmerman on the Broncos’ shortlist of players in Canton.

Coach Joseph knows Red Miller set the standard for our franchise’s success.https://t.co/RBFlcvdxaA — Denver Broncos (@Broncos) May 4, 2017

Broncos’ Ring of Fame

Player, Pos. … Years with Broncos … Year inducted

Lionel Taylor, WR … 1960-66 … 1984

Floyd Little, RB … 1967-75 … 1984

Rich Jackson, DE … 1967-72 … 1984

Austin “Goose” Gonsoulin, S … 1960-66 … 1984

Gerald H. Phipps, owner … 1961-81 … 1985

Frank Tripucka, QB … 1960-63 … 1986

Paul Smith, DT … 1968-78 … 1986

Charley Johnson, QB … 1972-75 .. 1986

Billy Thompson, S … 1969-81 … 1987

Jim Turner, K … 1971-79 … 1988

Haven Moses, WR … 1972-81 … 1988

Craig Morton, QB … 1977-82 … 1988

Randy Gradishar, LB … 1974-83 … 1989

Tom Jackson, LB … 1973-86 … 1992

Louis Wright, CB … 1975-86 … 1993

John Elway, QB … 1983-98 … 1999

Dennis Smith, S … 1981-94 … 2001

Karl Mecklenburg, LB … 1983-94 … 2001

Gary Zimmerman, T … 1993-97 … 2003

Steve Atwater, S … 1989-98 … 2005

Terrell Davis, RB … 1995-2002 … 2007

Shannon Sharpe, TE … 1990-99, 2002-03 … 2009

Rod Smith, WR … 1994-2007 … 2012

Tom Nalen, C … 1994-2008 … 2013

Gene Mingo, HB/K … 1960-64 … 2014

Rick Upchurch, WR … 1975-83 … 2014

Dan Reeves, coach … 1981-92 … 2014

Pat Bowlen, owner … 1984-present … 2015

John Lynch, S … 2004-07 … 2016

Simon Fletcher, LB … 1985-95 .. 2016

Jason Elam, K … 1993-2007 … 2016

Red Miller, coach … 1977-80… 2017