Mike Westhoff returns to help Saints special teams after complex surgery

SmashMouth · 07-29-2018, 09:40 AM

Longtime special teams coach Mike Westhoff was hesitant to come out of retirement last year, but he enjoyed his half season with the New Orleans Saints so much that he wanted to return this year.

Coming back wasn't that easy, though. After the 2017 season, Westhoff underwent what he called a "very complex procedure" in which doctors inserted a segmented metal piece from his hip to his knee in his left leg.

Westhoff, who initially retired from the NFL in 2012, said his doctors didn't clear him to return to coaching until June 20, and he was on crutches from Feb. 4 through July 4. Because of the surgery, Westhoff missed all of the offseason practices, but when training camp began Thursday, the 70-year-old was back with the team.

"I feel very fortunate," he said. "I still have fun doing this. I still enjoy it. I like the guys. I like the excitement."

The Saints last year opened the season with Bradford Banta and Kevin O'Dea coaching special teams, but when issues with blocking and coverage lingered, the team lured Westhoff out of retirement to join the staff in November ahead of the Week 11 game.

Westhoff, who worked for the Miami Dolphins from 1986-2000 and New York Jets from 2001-12, said a main reason he wanted to join the Saints was to chase the Super Bowl that had evaded him in his long career. When he joined the staff, the Saints had won seven games in a row, but special teams still had room for improvement.

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07-29-2018, 09:40 AM	#1
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,477 Blog Entries: 29	Mike Westhoff returns to help Saints special teams after complex surgery Longtime special teams coach Mike Westhoff was hesitant to come out of retirement last year, but he enjoyed his half season with the New Orleans Saints so much that he wanted to return this year. Coming back wasn't that easy, though. After the 2017 season, Westhoff underwent what he called a "very complex procedure" in which doctors inserted a segmented metal piece from his hip to his knee in his left leg. Westhoff, who initially retired from the NFL in 2012, said his doctors didn't clear him to return to coaching until June 20, and he was on crutches from Feb. 4 through July 4. Because of the surgery, Westhoff missed all of the offseason practices, but when training camp began Thursday, the 70-year-old was back with the team. "I feel very fortunate," he said. "I still have fun doing this. I still enjoy it. I like the guys. I like the excitement." The Saints last year opened the season with Bradford Banta and Kevin O'Dea coaching special teams, but when issues with blocking and coverage lingered, the team lured Westhoff out of retirement to join the staff in November ahead of the Week 11 game. Westhoff, who worked for the Miami Dolphins from 1986-2000 and New York Jets from 2001-12, said a main reason he wanted to join the Saints was to chase the Super Bowl that had evaded him in his long career. When he joined the staff, the Saints had won seven games in a row, but special teams still had room for improvement. read more on NOLA Attached Thumbnails jeanpierre likes this.