The Denver Broncos introduced their 20th head coach in franchise history Monday afternoon as Sean Payton talked for the first time in Dove Valley.
Payton is a Super Bowl XLIV champion and has an excellent career-winning record as the head coach for the New Orleans Saints. He did a phenomenal job with Drew Brees as his quarterback and will aim to have the same success with Russell Wilson in Denver.
Broncos Country got to listen to Payton for the first time as the Broncos HC and the introductory presser was interesting. To hear from CEO Greg Penner to GM George Paton, there were a lot of exciting nuggets said at the presser.
To break it all down, here are the three things we learned at the introductory presser announcing Sean Payton, the 2006 AP Coach of the Year, as the new head coach of the Denver Broncos.
The most important thing to Sean Payton was the ownership group
When Sean Payton got to the podium to talk, the first and last thing we would mention was the terrific ownership group.
The teamwork and alignment from the ownership group to him was the most important aspect for him and it is a huge reason why he chose Denver. Payton mentioned how the Saints provided a great example of what it should be and he saw that with Greg Penner, Rob Walton, and the rest of the group.
He knew the ownership group was special on the first day. He said, “The first day I could be interviewed, Greg, George, and Condi were there at breakfast time. I knew that meant something.”
Payton learned a lot through Bill Parcells and having alignment from top to bottom is crucial. Having that lead to success and a winning culture, something he mentioned a lot in his presser for Broncos Country.
Fans should expect a different culture and winning pedigree with Sean Payton as head coach and that starts with the details
Sean Payton answered a question from a reporter on if Broncos Country should expect immediate success on day one. He said, “I think it’s realistic for our fanbase to expect a completely different type of culture. It’s realistic for them to expect us to win.”
Payton is fascinated, as was his mentor Parcells, with the details and that is what makes him such a great head coach. This leads to an improved and winning culture. From “the right size of the towels” to the football field, details in and outside of the building matters with the Denver Broncos now and that is significant.
It is the way he was taught with Parcells and why he has been successful. Even in the presser, you can see Payton’s pocket tie facing up. The reason why is that it’s the trajectory the Broncos are heading. Up.
The winning pedigree was something Payton took note of as well and mentioned why it was the second most important thing for him coming in. He talked about how Denver’s number one priority is winning football games and that is essential to a winning organization.
Building a winning culture is a daily task and has to be a mindset. Payton talked about “winning the day,” something GM George Paton talked about in his opening presser a couple of years back.
While talking about Paton, the collaboration between the HC and GM is monumental. It’s the other factor in a winning culture and Payton talks about how they have similar philosophies and ways of building a winning team.
Payton also debunked the myth of him needing to have control of everything. “I think there’s this myth that I’m a tyrant that comes into the building and has to control everything… Where do you guys get this from?”
He continued to preach about how Paton and himself are going to collaborate and work together to build the best winning culture they can. Says that Paton reminds him of Saints GM Mickey Loomis.
Payton noted that he was aligned with Paton from the first day they met each other at the beginning of the process. The winning culture starts with details and collaboration and Broncos Country is starting to hear what they sound like.
“Open mind and clear vision.”
Sean Payton answers questions on Russell Wilson and how to get the best out of the QB
We all knew that the media was going to ask Payton about his new quarterback Russell Wilson and it didn’t take long. He had some noteworthy stuff to say without giving out every single detail on what will happen.
He notes that Wilson did call him during the head coaching process and for Broncos Country hearing that, it should make fans excited.
Most importantly, Payton mentioned how Wilson looked the last couple of weeks and how well he performed. Payton will focus on how to maximize his strengths and minimize his weaknesses.
Payton elaborated on getting Wilson comfortable and “highlighting their strengths” and what they do best on the field. He also complemented his work ethic and leadership by saying, “”I know he’s an extremely hard worker. He’s won a lot of games in Seattle.”
It is realistic to believe that Wilson may have a resurgence with Payton as HC because of the details and culture the head coach preaches.
Payton also name-dropped Latavius Murray at the presser and noted that Murray texted him to become the coach in Denver. Murray was telling him how they need to find a way to get him to Mile High and Payton responded, “Be careful what you’re asking Santa for.”
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Sean Payton had an excellent introductory presser and ended it was a great quote that will all get Broncos Country excited. “I’m picking the Eagles. We never want anyone in our division to win anything.”