..."when Bronco is otherwise tied up with other HC duties" bit. I've a sneaking suspicion that Bronco will start giving him back responsibilities a little at a time (playcalling, game prep, etc) and before long he'll be the DC in both title and deed once again. Bronco doesn't like being told what he has to do and especially resents it coming from fans. He's very stubborn. It wouldn't surprise me at all if he waited until a big game by the defense to drop the other shoe that Nick's been handling some DC duties all along in an effort to thumb his nose at the fans he resents.