Ben Kotwica
 Kotwica in 2012 | |
| Los Angeles Rams | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Assistant special teams coach |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | December 8, 1974 Tinley Park, Illinois, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| College: | Army (1993–1996) |
| Career history | |
As a coach: | |
| |
Ben Kotwica (born, December 8, 1974) is an American professional football coach and former linebacker who is the assistant special teams coach for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He has coached special teams for numerous NFL teams, having served previously as special teams coordinator for the New York Jets, Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons, and Denver Broncos.
College career and military service
[edit]Kotwica was a linebacker and team captain for Army from 1993 to 1996. Before his career in coaching, Kotwica served in the United States Army as a helicopter pilot, reaching the rank of Captain by 2004. In addition to missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Korea, he is a veteran of the Iraq War.[1]
Coaching career
[edit]New York Jets
[edit]In 2007, Kotwica was hired by the New York Jets to be their defense/special teams quality control coach. In 2013, Kotwica was promoted to special teams coordinator.[2]
Washington Redskins
[edit]On January 15, 2014, the Washington Redskins announced Kotwica as their special teams coordinator, serving under newly appointed head coach, Jay Gruden.[3] After coaching five seasons with the Redskins, Kotwica requested and was granted permission to interview with other teams.[4]
Atlanta Falcons
[edit]The Atlanta Falcons announced that Kotwica was hired as their new special teams coordinator on January 9, 2019.[4] Kotwica was fired on October 12, 2020.
Minnesota Vikings
[edit]On February 23, 2022, Kotwica was hired by the Minnesota Vikings to serve as the team's assistant special teams coach for the 2022 season.[5]
Denver Broncos
[edit]On February 25, 2023, Kotwica was hired by the Denver Broncos as their special teams coordinator under head coach Sean Payton.[6] Kotwica was fired on January 17, 2025.[7]
Los Angeles Rams
[edit]On February 24, 2025, Kotwica was announced as joining the Rams staff as an assistant special teams coach for head coach Sean McVay.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ Schad, Tom (September 3, 2014). "Iraq War veteran Ben Kotwica brings authority to Redskins' special teams". WashingtonTimes.com. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
- ^ "NY Jets new special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica prepared to fill shoes of Mike Westhoff". June 6, 2013. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
- ^ Gantt, Darin (January 15, 2014). "Redskins lure Jets special teams coach away". NBCSports.com. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
- ^ a b Hailey, Peter (January 9, 2019). "Ben Kotwica's departure marks the first official coaching change for the Redskins". NBCSports.com. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
- ^ "Vikings add Daronte Jones, Mike Smith, Ben Kotwica to coaching staff".
- ^ DiLalla, Aric (February 25, 2023). "Broncos announce series of coaching hires". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
- ^ Legwold, Jeff (January 17, 2025). "Sources: Broncos fire special teams coordinator". ESPN. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
- ^ "Rams Announce 2025 Coaching Staff". NFLTradeRumors.co. February 24, 2025. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Ben Kotwica at Wikimedia Commons
- Living people
- American football linebackers
- Army Black Knights football players
- New York Jets coaches
- Washington Redskins coaches
- 1974 births
- Minnesota Vikings coaches
- Denver Broncos coaches
- Players of American football from Illinois
- Coaches of American football from Illinois
- High school football coaches in New York (state)
- Army Black Knights football coaches
- Atlanta Falcons coaches
- Los Angeles Rams coaches
- United States Army aviators
- United States Army officers