Joe Lombardi
Joseph Philip Lombardi is an American professional football coach and former player who was most recently the offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He previously served as the offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers. Lombardi also previously served as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Falcons. He is the grandson of Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach Vince Lombardi.
Early years
A 1994 graduate of the Air Force Academy">United States Air Force">Air Force Academy, Lombardi played tight end for the Falcons football|Falcons] under head coach Fisher DeBerry. He lettered three seasons and started as a senior; he also lettered a season in lacrosse. He served his four years on active duty in the Air Force, where he was a program manager on the F-22 program at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. In the last two years of his military time, he juggled his football and Air Force schedules as he was a volunteer coach at Dayton.Coaching career
Early career
Prior to coaching in the NFL, Lombardi coached at the college level at Mercyhurst University, Bucknell University, the Virginia Military Institute, and the University of Dayton. He coached for the New York/New Jersey Hitmen during the one year of the XFL.Atlanta Falcons
In 2006, Lombardi was hired by the Atlanta Falcons as a defensive assistant under head coach Jim Mora.New Orleans Saints
In 2007 [New Orleans Saints season|2007], Lombardi was hired by the New Orleans Saints as an offensive assistant and was promoted to quarterbacks coach in 2009 and the Saints would go on to win the Super Bowl that season. During his time in New Orleans, starting quarterback Drew Brees set numerous passing records, including List of pro quarterbacks with 5,000 [passing yards in a season|passing for more than 5,000 yards] five times, and setting the record for the most passing yards in a single season.Detroit Lions
In 2014, Lombardi was hired by the Detroit Lions as their offensive coordinator under head coach Jim Caldwell. On October 26, 2015, he was fired by the Lions, along with several other members of the coaching staff, after a 1–6 start to the season.New Orleans Saints (second stint)
In 2016, Lombardi was re-hired by the New Orleans Saints as their quarterbacks coach.Los Angeles Chargers
On January 25, 2021, Lombardi was hired by the Los Angeles Chargers as their offensive coordinator under head coach Brandon Staley. He was fired on January 17, 2023, following an NFL Wild Card loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars where the Chargers lost despite a 27-point lead at one point during the 2nd quarter. He was strongly criticized during the season as causing a talented offense to regress and limiting the performance of quarterback Justin Herbert.Denver Broncos
On February 25, 2023, the Denver Broncos announced the hiring of Lombardi as their offensive coordinator, reuniting him with the Broncos' new head coach Sean Payton. While Payton was the play caller, Lombardi served as his consultant from the coaches' booth during games.Lombardi was fired on January 27, 2026, days after the Broncos lost in the AFC Championship Game.
Personal life
Lombardi is the grandson of Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, who died the year before he was born, and son of Vince Lombardi Jr. The youngest of four siblings, Lombardi also lived in Washington, New York, and Michigan. Lombardi played high school football at Seattle Prep, and graduated in 1990.Lombardi and his wife Molly have four sons and three daughters.