The Broncos’ hiring of Vic Fangio as the new head coach - and announcing the return of Gary Kubiak as offensive coordinator - earned the equivalent of a big thumbs up from players, coaches, sportswriters and fans.

Bears’ cornerback Prince Amukamara tweeted “#cursewords” when it was first announced that his defensive coordinator who helped the Bears’ defense in a meteoric rise from last to first would be heading to Denver.

“Oh, man, they’re going to get a leader, and they’re going to get somebody who cares for them,” Amukamara said. “They already have a history of having a great defense. All of that will be enhanced with Vic.”

And, of course, Khalil Mack, the all-pro edge rusher traded to the Bears by the Raiders this season, called Fangio “one of the best coaches in football.”

From long time NFL position coach

“I’m so happy for Vic. He’s the best football coach I’ve ever been around. This is long overdue.” — Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) January 9, 2019

Von Miller and Bradley Chubb will be excited to play for Fangio. His #Bears D led the NFC with 50 sacks last season. #Broncos had 44. The Bears 27 picks was most in #NFL, 6 more than next closest defense. DEN had 17. — Sam Farnsworth (@SamFarnsworth11) January 9, 2019

Happy Vic Fangio is getting his shot. But this stinks for the Bears. https://t.co/EOsvtKBqiq — Marcus Leshock (@marcusleshock) January 9, 2019

Damn...Fangio is a BIG loss. Wow! — Jerrell Freeman (@JerrellFreeman) January 9, 2019

Often risky for a DC to take a job with a shaky QB situation, but Von Miller and Bradley Chubb in the hands of Vic Fangio could provide greater margin-for-error on the other side of the ball. — Mark Potash (@MarkPotash) January 9, 2019

But all the love wasn’t just about Fangio and his incredible defensive mind.

Bringing back Gary Kubiak - Super Bowl 50-winning Gary Kubiak, that is - was seen across the league as a wise move for both Fangio and the Broncos.

Gary Kubiak and Vic Fangio are probably co head coaches in Denver.



That’s gonna be a great situation for the Broncos, IMO. — Vincent Frank (@VincentFrankNFL) January 9, 2019

Fangio/ Kubiak is a very, very good combo. https://t.co/7f3DJpXdiM — Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) January 9, 2019

Former Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer, who played for Kubiak during his tenure, even weighed in.

He sees the move to bring Kubiak back to the coaching side as a brilliant maneuver - especially for Case Keenum.

Jake Plummer, on what Gary Kubiak's return to the offense means for Case Keenum and the others ... pic.twitter.com/fDfXIsZ5nw — Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) January 10, 2019

But it wasn’t only reporters, fans and former players sharing their feelings about the new coaching hires.

While most Broncos players refrained from commenting on social media, a few posted their excitement, and Will Parks and Shelby Harris even spoke about it to CBS4Denver.

“I was excited - especially as a defensive guy. You see what the Bears have done this season - they led in almost every statistical category there is,” Parks said, adding that he’s heard a little bit about Fangio. “I’ve heard he’s kind of a strict guy but also lets his guys have fun.”

Harris said he “likes it a lot” bringing in Fangio.

“From all the guys I’ve talked to, they’ve said he’s a straight shooter, knows what he’s talking about and just loves football,” Harris added. “I like it. I like it a lot.”

Saw @PhillyWill11 at Broncos HQ and asked him what he knows about his new head coach, Vic Fangio: “I know he’s No. 1. ... And to have Kubes back, that’s exciting.



“To have these kinds of coaches behind us and getting us ready for games, the sky is the limit for us.” — Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) January 9, 2019

Emmanuel Sanders, one of the few guys on the offense to have been on the Super Bowl 50 team under Kubiak, seemed ecstatic about having Kubes back on the field at Dove Valley.

Horse Tracks - docllv’s picks of the day

'He's a trip': Inside look at why Bears have special coach in Fangio | Chicago Sun-Times

There is a lot to Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. That was clear during an interview with the Sun-Times late last summer.

Why the Broncos hired ‘evil genius’ Vic Fangio as their next head coach – The Athletic

The Broncos hired longtime defensive coordinator Vic Fangio at a time when so many teams are turning to younger, offensive minds to lead their teams.

Stop trying to find the Next Sean McVay: Why the NFL hiring system is so flawed – The Athletic

If the Josh McDaniels fiasco in Indy taught us anything, it’s that there are good, under-the-radar coaches out there like Frank Reich. GMs are just not looking in the right spots.

Horse Tracks

Broncos hire Vic Fangio, giving offensive control to Kubiak, Elway | SI.com

As nearly every other NFL team makes young, offensive-minded hires at head coach, Denver goes the opposite, hiring a longtime defensive coordinator (most recently for Chicago) in Vic Fangio.

Jack Henzes Reacts to Denver Broncos Hiring Dunmore Graduate Vic Fangio

Jack Henzes, Vic Fangio’s high school coach in the mid-70s and boss in the mid-80s, talks about his protoge going to the Broncos.

As Broncos hire Vic Fangio as head coach, challenge for Bears’ defense in 2019 grows greater | NBC Sports Chicago

With Vic Fangio being hired as the next head coach of the Denver Broncos, can the Bears’ defense overcome his departure in 2019?

With Vic Fangio, Broncos go with experience and toughness - Denver Broncos Blog- ESPN

Denver tried the young coordinators and it didn’t work. Fangio has never been a head coach, but he brings a long list of credentials.

Broncos hiring Vic Fangio as head coach | 9news.com

Denver Broncos GM John Elway bucked the league trend of hiring a hot, young coordinator by selecting a hot, mature coordinator.

Phillip Lindsay to serve as social media correspondent at 2019 Pro Bowl

“I’m not going to be able to play in the game — which I wish I was — but being a correspondent sounds pretty good too, I’m not going to lie,

Phillip Lindsay named Colorado Sports Hall of Fame’s Professional Athlete of the Year

Lindsay will be honored at a banquet April 3.

Could Drew Lock go No. 10 to Denver Broncos? | Mile High Sports

John Elway and Gary Kubiak took a trip out to Columbia, MO earlier this year to watch Drew Lock live. They must have liked what they saw in Lock’s rousing 38-0 beat-down of conference rival Arkansas.

Sean Kugler leaves Denver Broncos to join Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers have hired former Broncos offensive line coach Sean Kugler.

Denver Broncos: Should the team re-sign tackle Jared Veldheer?

The Denver Broncos acquired Jared Veldheer via trade from the Arizona Cardinals this past offseason. He'll be a free agent this offseason.

Jets hiring ex-Dolphins coach Adam Gase as head coach - NFL.com

Adam Gase has found a new head coaching gig in the AFC East. The New York Jets are hiring the former Miami Dolphins skipper as their next head coach, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.

Sean Payton uses Lombardi Trophy to motivate Saints - NFL.com

From bringing in inspirational guest speakers to dancing to the song that bears his name, Saints head coach Sean Payton knows how to find unique ways to motivate his players.

Bruce Arians on QB Jameis Winston: 'He can win it all' - NFL.com

New Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians praised Jameis Winston in a recent interview on "The Rich Eisen Show." Arians said "the whole thing will be built around" the QB.

Chargers vs. Rams in Atlanta? Get ready for all-L.A. Super Bowl! - NFL.com

On the eve of the regular season, Adam Schein predicted an all-Los Angeles Super Bowl. Four months later, he's singing the same tune -- but LOUDER. Here's why the Chargers and Rams will indeed meet in Atlanta.