Robert "Red" Miller, the first head coach to take the Denver Broncos to the Super Bowl, has died at the age of 89.
Mike Klis of KUSA reported Miller passed away Wednesday morning from complications of a stroke at Swedish Medical Center in Denver with his wife Nan at his side.
Miller coached the Broncos from 1977-80 and led the organization to its initial three postseason appearances and the first of eight Super Bowls.
Miller, who would have turned 90 on Oct. 31, will become the 32nd member of the Broncos' Ring of Fame when he is inducted Nov. 19 as his former team hosts the Cincinnati Bengals. Miller's bronze pillar will be unveiled at Sports Authority Field at Mile High's Ring of Fame Plaza on Nov. 17 and his name will be revealed in the stadium's Ring of Fame at the game two days later.
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"Our deepest sympathies go out to Red's entire family, especially his wife, Nan," Broncos president and CEO Joe Ellis said in a statement. "Red was a beloved member of the Broncos' family. He left a great impact on this franchise by laying the foundation for our championship tradition and was so proud to be part of our first Super Bowl team 40 years ago.
"You could tell how much the Broncos meant to Red, and he's meant so much to everyone here. Red was overjoyed to get that phone call in May notifying him of his Ring of Fame selection, and we're all very saddened that he won't be able to join us when we honor him in November."
Miller was the offensive line coach for the New England Patriots before being hired to become the eighth head coach in Broncos history on Feb. 1, 1977, following the firing of John Ralston.
The Broncos, led by the "Orange Crush" defense, went 12-2 during the 1977 regular season and beat the Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders to advance to the franchise's first Super Bowl. The Broncos then lost 27-10 to the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XII.
The Broncos reached the playoffs the first three seasons under Miller before going 8-8 in his fourth season in 1980, and he was fired after the team was sold.
Miller compiled a 40-22 (.645) regular-season record and a 2-3 playoff mark with Denver.
