Falcons Interested in Saints Ex Head Coach as New Defensive Coordinator

Jim Haslett coached the New Orleans Saints from 2000-05. Could he now join the rival Atlanta Falcons as their new defensive coordinator?

Jeremy Brener | Jan 10, 2023

The Atlanta Falcons have an opening at the defensive coordinator and the team could be looking at another NFL veteran.

With Dean Pees announcing his retirement Monday, the Falcons are immediately beginning their search for his replacement. According to KOA 850 in Colorado, the Falcons have reached out to veteran defensive coach Jim Haslett.

Haslett, 67, is currently preparing to coach the XFL's Seattle Sea Dragons for the 2023 season.

Haslett played seven seasons as a linebacker for the Buffalo Bills from 1979-85 before transitioning to the sideline as a coach. He was a defensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints (1996), Pittsburgh Steelers (1997-99), St. Louis Rams (2006-08) and Washington Redskins (2010-14). He also served as the Saints head coach from 2000-05.

Haslett also has connections to key members of the Falcons' brass. General manager Terry Fontenot worked for the Saints alongside Haslett from 2003-05. Head coach Arthur Smith was on the same coaching staff with Haslett for the Tennessee Titans in 2020.

Bringing in another veteran, one that has worked with Fontenot and Smith before, would be a smooth transition from moving off of Pees. However, it would take a lot for Haslett to move away from his head coaching position for the XFL season, which starts next month.

But, you can't get a 'yes' if you don't ask.

Follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

Get your HOTlanta Falcons game tickets from SI Tickets ... here!

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Falcons? Click Here.

Follow Falcon Report on Twitter.

Want even more Atlanta Falcons news? Check out the SI.com team page here

Published Jan 10, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.