Report: Saints part ways with assistants Henry Ellard, Terry Malone

The New Orleans Saints are reportedly parting ways with assistant coaches Henry Ellard and Terry Malone.

The New Orleans Saints are parting ways with wide receivers coach Henry Ellard, tight ends coach Terry Malone and defensive backs coach Andre Curtis, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Ellard had been the Saints' wide receivers coach since 2012 following a 16-year NFL playing career. Saints quarterback Drew Brees led the league in passing this season and New Orleans finished first in total offense with 411.4 yards per game, but didn't have a wide receiver rank higher than 30th in passing yards (Kenny Stills, 931 yards on 63 receptions).

Malone was among the coaches first hired by Sean Payton when he became the Saints' head coach in 2006. Tight end Jimmy Graham caught 85 passes for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns this season.

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Curtis was in his third season as assistant secondary coach for the Saints, who finished 25th in passing defense at 251.2 yards allowed per game.

According to Rapoport, the "big question" for the Saints is defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. After two years in New Orleans, Ryan's status has yet to be determined after the Saints finished in the bottom half of the league in all four major defensive categories (total defense, scoring, rushing, passing).

#Saints also fire asst. DBs coach Andre Curtis, source says. Big question is Rob Ryan. Payton could decide to give him more suitable parts

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 2, 2015

- Mike Fiammetta