ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Decades before joining the Broncos' staff, Vic Fangio and Mike Munchak grew up just miles apart in Eastern Pennsylvania.

At Dunmore High School, Fangio played safety as a student before returning a few years later in 1979 to begin his coaching career. Munchak, meanwhile, played his high school football in Scranton before embarking on a Pro Football Hall of Fame playing career.

But while they grew up just towns apart, the two didn't meet until the mid 1980s.

"We didn't know each other at that time, but I think just watching what he did, starting from high school and coaching high school football to being a head coach in the NFL is an awesome trip," Munchak said. "To me, he should have been a head coach long, long ago.

"I remember my dad telling me when we were playing the Saints when I was with the Oilers, he said, 'Go over and say hello to the coach, he's from Dunmore.' That's the first time I think we met. I went over to him after the game."

Munchak said he doesn't know if Fangio remembers that meeting — but he does know that despite their limited interaction, he's always respected the man who is the Broncos' new head coach. And that led to Munchak accepting a role as the Broncos' offensive line coach.