Darren Rizzi - Assistant Head Coach, broncos Event: Press Conference | Date: 2026-09-10 | Full transcript (primary source).
On September 10, 2026, Darren Rizzi, Assistant Head Coach of the Broncos, addressed the media in a press conference that coincided with the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Rizzi, who has personal ties to the New York metropolitan area, reflected on the impact of that day and its lasting significance.
Transcript
Rizzi: If you guys don't mind real quick, just with tomorrow being the 25th anniversary of 9-11, I just wanted to kind of just mention that real quick. You may or may not know I'm from the New York metropolitan area. So obviously kind of very, very close to home, literally for me. And I was actually coaching in the area at the time, just about an hour north at a Division II school. I was a head coach at the University of New Haven at the time in 9-11 and gosh, unfortunately I lost some friends, a lot of close people, two high school teammates, then I lost Chris Villalanga, Rob Zampieri. So I want to send out my thoughts to their families and just gosh, just being in that area during that time. You know, I've seen a lot of documentaries and things recently about it and so I'd be remiss if I didn't at least mention that. And you know, my thoughts and our prayers go out to all the victims, their families, both the thousands of people that lost their lives on that day and the hundreds and thousands that lost their lives subsequently. So anyway, I appreciate that.
Unknown: Following up on that, I mean, folks that grew up in the area said on average people lost three to six people. I mean, I guess every year when it comes around, how do you all rally around each other?
Rizzi: Yeah, like I said, I lost two high school teammates. So two guys that were class below me both worked on the 92nd floor, I think for car financial and they both survived the initial impact. Both actually were able to reach out to their families and say, hey, I'm near a window or I'm on the roof and then unfortunately never to be heard from again. So, you know, my high school teammates, that one, it's really close to home. When I was one of the guys I coached with lost his brother, who's a firefighter. One of the guys on the team at the time lost his uncle, who was a firefighter. I never forget the dad driving up to it was his brother who passed. And so, yeah, you know, listen, I went to too many funerals and too many memorial services and and, you know, Sean and I were talking about the other day, you know, Sean, obviously, with the Giants and they were just coming back from playing Denver on Monday night and United flight 93 was pulling out. Um, and so just, you know, because it was so close and because I knew so many people, uh, that's why, you know, every year and this year, I can't believe it's 25 years. Uh, but yeah, so every year, you know, I remember exactly where I was when the second plane hit, watching it live, probably like a lot of us. Um, so, yeah, I just think it's really important to remember everybody.
Unknown: Riz, just to get back to, yeah, we're heading into the first game with Sean, not calling plays. You've known him for so long. Were you surprised initially when that decision got made? Does that speak to just coach Payton's, I guess, evolution at this point, his coaching group?
Rizzi: Yeah, listen, I think Sean probably went through it as a coach himself. Um, and so I think, you know, you guys know how close he is with coach Parcells and then I am as well. And and he probably went through that process. And so I think that probably helped him a little bit with the decision. Am I surprised? I'm not because Sean is a guy that's not afraid to, uh, you know, his leadership qualities is probably the best thing he does in life is he's a great leader, uh, of men and he's a great head coach. And I think it takes a certain person to have the confidence and able to do that. A guy has been doing it for that long. I think he certainly recognizes, um, strengths and weaknesses of other coaches. I think he probably thought that was the best thing for the organization. And I said, I think it takes a lot for a head coach to, you know, to put the organization before himself. And so I'm not surprised because I know Sean's made a bunch of decisions like that before. Um, he's obviously still gonna be the head coach. I mean, he's still gonna, you know, have a hand and everything that we do, uh, both in all three phases and organizationally. So, um, you know, and I know he has the utmost confidence in Davis and the offensive staff. So, but I think it really speaks volumes to the person. I really, I really do. I think it takes a special person to be able to be able to do that.
Unknown: Have you noticed so far any any more, um, involvement from him on special teams? Uh, since he has a little more agreed up, you're gonna give me trouble here.
Rizzi: Um, listen, I think, and this is not a criticism. This is actually, this is actually, um, I'm giving Sean some, some love here. Sean is a hands on coach. I've worked for a lot of coaches and had no idea what was going on with special teams, both college and the NFL. Um, and so I think Sean has a really good grasp on all three phases. Uh, I think one of the things he does great is manage the game. Um, you know, he's able to talk enough about all three phases with all three coordinators, uh, knows how he wants to play each game and every game. It's not the same. And so we need to know that as coordinators on how we're gonna play this individual game this week. Uh, that's one of the things I've learned from, from being around Sean is that, you know, every game is not the same. Every game is different. There's a formula. There's different formula every week. And so I think that he stresses, um, the things weekly on the sideline during the game. Things are trying to get done in the game. And so, uh, whether it was New Orleans, when I worked for him or here, uh, he's always been, you know, hands on that. And like I said, that's not a criticism. And, and, uh, by the same token, he is, he listens, he, he listens to buy, you know, uh, all the coordinators on their input. And, uh, um, but no, I don't think there'll be a huge difference now. Listen, when he was calling plays and we're getting the pun team ready or the field goal team, he's calling play. Yeah. We're not having a conversation that might be a little bit different than interaction if you will. But in terms of managing the game, I don't think there'll be much of a difference.
Unknown: with Marvin, uh, you know, getting banged up a little bit here. Has he reached the point where you got to discuss how to best get the most out of them, whether it's using a little less on returns, keep them out there for receiver. Is he all in return or all the way?
Rizzi: Yeah, Mike, I think that's the honest answer to that is that's kind of every player every week is like, okay, what, what is this? What is the best formula for this guy? And whether that's more touches, less touches, more reps, less reps, I think that's everybody. Uh, I understand the question. You know, Marvin, obviously is a, is a unique player, a unique player because he's obviously a very good receiver, very good returner. So every week, no different than the plan to win the game. As I just mentioned, we'll kind of have that plan going in, you know, Hey, the pun return stuff, the kick return stuff, the receiver stuff and have a really good idea on how we want to use them. Now you, you didn't miss a long time. You know, every game unfolds a little differently. We may not get a pun return. We may get a pun return on the fourth play of the game. We may not get a pun return. So later, you know, who knows how the games play out with turnovers and whatnot. So, uh, we'll kind of play that by year as, as, as the weeks in the season go on. But my honest answer is we really, we do a lot of discussing on the 48 guys are going to be active in everybody's role. And I get that goes back to Sean having a really good grip on, on the roster.
Unknown: Will Less was named a captain yesterday. What is it that stands out about Will and lends itself to success in that position?
Rizzi: Man, you know, I've known Will a long time, you know, I got to, obviously I got to the saints of 2019. So, uh, I've gotten to know Will a long time and, uh, to, to, it's fun, you know, even with my own children, it's kind of, it's fun to watch the maturity, how a player and a person matures. And the one thing I can say about Will's is to watch him grow, uh, both as a player, a teammate, and a leader has been a really, uh, fun thing to watch his development. Uh, he deserves it. Um, he's a guy that's got a really, really good feel for the game. He's got a really good feel for the locker room. I don't think there's a guy on the team that would tell you that they're not in some way, shape, or form. Uh, he hasn't communicated with them. Uh, and so it speaks volumes with him. And I also want to give Devin Key a shout out to, I think both those guys deservedly. I was really, really happy that Sean and the team voted for two guys and Sean named two captains because I thought both those guys are well deserved.
