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Saints Hire Former Chargers Head Coach As Defensive Coordinator Under Kellen Moore
New Orleans Saints coach Kellen Moore is bringing in a familiar face to lead his defense— as well as one who can help the first-time head coach adjust to his new duties.
On Friday, the news broke that the Saints were hiring Brandon Staley as the team's new defensive coordinator. The former Los Angeles Chargers head coach was pegged as a "leading candidate" earlier this month for the position; he and Moore worked together in L.A. during the 2023 season.
The #Saints are hiring Brandon Staley as their defensive coordinator, sources tell The Insiders.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 21, 2025
Staley — who had two winning records and a playoff appearance in three seasons as #Chargers head coach — is still only 42. Now he reunites with Kellen Moore in New Orleans. pic.twitter.com/zhDjvt7K3x
It'll be Staley's second stint as a defensive coordinator. Previously he was the DC for Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams. He was hired as the Chargers' head coach in 2021 and went 24-24 over three seasons there. After getting fired 14 games into the 2023 season, Staley spent 2024 as an assistant head coach to Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers.
Staley will have his work cut out for him in the Big Easy. The Saints ranked 29th in yards given up per game in 2024; only the Carolina Panthers gave up more total rushing yards on the season. Between revamping the defense and offering his experience as a former coach to Moore, Staley should have his plate full this year.
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Liam McKeone is a senior writer for the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He has been in the industry as a content creator since 2017, and prior to joining SI in May 2024, McKeone worked for NBC Sports Boston and The Big Lead. In addition to his work as a writer, he has hosted the Press Pass Podcast covering sports media and The Big Stream covering pop culture. A graduate of Fordham University, he is always up for a good debate and enjoys loudly arguing about sports, rap music, books and video games. McKeone has been a member of the National Sports Media Association since 2020.