New Orleans Saints Coaching Hires May Be Influenced by Dennis Allen Relationships

Here are some surprising names to watch if Dennis Allen has a major say in revamping the Saints offensive coaching staff.

New Orleans Saints coach Dennis Allen finished 7-10 in 2022, his first year in charge of the team. Despite a top-5 defense that season, Allen made big changes in his defensive coaching staff. The Saints jettisoned co-coordinators Ryan Nielsen and Kris Richard, two highly respected coaches. Interestingly, the new coaches that were brought in for 2023 all had previous ties to Allen. 

Defensive coordinator Joe Woods was a defensive backs coach on Dennis Allen's Oakland Raiders staff in 2014. Marcus Robertson, brought in to coach the New Orleans defensive backs, was the assistant secondary coach on that 2014 Raiders staff. Even Clancy Barone, the TE coach, was an offensive assistant with Texas A&M in 1993, where Allen played as a defensive back. Barone was also the TE coach for the Denver Broncos in 2011, when Allen served as the defensive coordinator for the team. 

Fast forward to 2023. The Saints finished with an improved record (9-8), but missed the playoffs for a third straight year. Longtime offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael was let go, as were WR coach Kodi Burns and senior offensive assistant Bob Bicknell. Barone remains so far, as does offensive line coach Doug Marrone, who was with Allen on Sean Payton's first New Orleans staff from 2006 to 2008.

The Saints have requested permission to interview Bengals QB coach Dan Pitcher, Rams QB coach Zac Robinson, and Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron so far. There will certainly be more candidates emerging in the coming weeks, both for offensive coordinator and other positions on the staff.

With recent history serving as a guide, don't be surprised if the Saints speak with a few coaches that have worked with Allen before. Here are a few names to watch.

Brian Callahan 

Aug 1, 2022; Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, left, talks with Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Brandon Allen (8) during a training camp practice. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports

Callahan has been the offensive coordinator with the Cincinnati Bengals for the last five seasons. Working with offensive-minded head coach Zac Taylor, the Bengals are loaded with weapons like QB Joe Burrow, WRs Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, and RB Joe Mixon. 

Just 39 years old, Callahan began his coaching career as offensive quality control coach with the Denver Broncos in 2010. He was on the staff when Dennis Allen was Denver's defensive coordinator in 2011.

When Burrow missed the last seven games of the year, Cincinnati still functioned at a high level behind former undrafted QB Jake Browning. This has made Callahan a legitimate head coaching candidate while also raising the stock of Tom Pitcher. 

It seems highly unlikely that the Saints would be able to land Brian Callahan, who may end up as a head coach. If he doesn't, then perhaps Callahan could be lured to New Orleans with a associate head coaching title in addition to having complete control of an offense for the first time in his career. 

John DeFilippo

Apr 16, 2023; New Orleans Breakers head coach John DeFilippo looks on during a USFL football game against the Pittsburgh Maulers. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

DeFilippo, 45, was the head coach of the New Orleans Breakers in the USFL in 2023 and current head coach of the Memphis Showboats with the UFL. His last NFL job was as QB coach of the Chicago Bears in 2020 and 2021. He has also been an offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns (2015), Minnesota Vikings (2018), and Jacksonville Jaguars (2019).

During all three of Dennis Allen's three-year coaching tenure in Oakland, DeFilippo served as the QB coach. DeFilippo's one year in Jacksonville was when current Saints offensive line coach Doug Marrone was the Jaguars head coach. 

A 15-year NFL veteran, DeFilippo would certainly bring experience to a coaching staff. He's had far more success as a position coach, mostly with quarterbacks, than he has as a coordinator. If NFL teams show interest, it will be as a position coach or offensive consultant. 

Mike McCoy

Jacksonville Jaguars Quarterbacks Coach Mike McCoy gives instructions to Jaguars quarterbacks during training camp. © Bob Self/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK

McCoy, 51, just wrapped up his second year as QB coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. He's a 21-year NFL veteran that has been an offensive coordinator for six seasons with two teams and head coach of the San Diego Chargers for four years. 

McCoy was in his third season as offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos in 2011 when Dennis Allen came in as the defensive coordinator. Adam Gase was also on that staff as a QB coach. Gase has been out of coaching since 2020 after several failures upon leaving Denver, leaving him as a highly unlikely interview candidate. 

Early in his career, McCoy was fortunate to oversee offenses with Pro Bowl quarterbacks like Peyton Manning and Phillip Rivers. His last few stops haven't been nearly as successful and the development of Jacksonville QB Trevor Lawrence has been erratic. 

Greg Olson 

Oct 4, 2020; Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Olson reacts to a play against the Buffalo Bills. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The well-traveled Olson was the QB coach for the Seattle Seahawks last season. It was the 15th stop in a 34-year collegiate and professional coaching career. He's served two separate stints with three different NFL teams and is one of the more respected coaches in the game. 

Olson, who turns 61 in March, was Oakland's offensive coordinator during Dennis Allen's last two seasons with the team. He returned to the Raiders in 2018 to serve four more years as offensive coordinator. The head coach for the Raiders over that stretch was Jon Gruden, who is rumored to be brought into New Orleans for a role with the franchise. 

Saints QB Derek Carr has worked with six different head coaches and five different offensive coordinators over his 10-year career. Greg Olson was his offensive coordinator for five of those seasons, which also saw some of the best production of Carr's career. 

If rumors are true that Gruden will join the Saints in some capacity, then there could be a strong chance that Olson would join him. Olson has had reasonable success with several teams as both coordinator and QB coach. His prior relationship with both Allen and Carr would also set up a smooth transition, especially if Gruden joins the group. 

Eric Studesville 

Sep 18, 2022; Miami Dolphins associate head coach Eric Studesville during a game against the Baltimore Ravens. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The 56-year-old Studesville just completed his sixth season with the explosive Miami Dolphins. He had been Miami's offensive coordinator in 2021 under coach Brian Flores. When Flores was fired, Studesville was retained when coach Mike McDaniel took over, but was shifted to RB coach and Associate Head Coach. 

Studesville has been an NFL assistant for 28 seasons. Most of that time has been spent as a running backs coach. His longest stint with any of his five teams was with the Denver Broncos. He was there for nine years, from 2010 to 2017, meaning that he was on the staff for the year Dennis Allen was defensive coordinator with the team.

Studesville has been an offensive coordinator for just one year and interim head coach for four games. If the Saints show any interest, it'll be as a RB coach. New Orleans did just lose their longtime RB coach, Joel Thomas, who left to take the same position with the New York Giants. 

Nov 11, 2018; Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Olson, quarterback AJ McCarron (2), coach Jon Gruden and quarterback Derek Carr (4) watch from the sidelines against the Los Angeles Chargers. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Unless the Saints get absolutely no interest from other candidates, DeFilippo, McCoy, and Studesville would not be viewed as offensive coordinator possibilities. Studesville could be a suitable replacement for Thomas to coach the running backs. DeFilippo or McCoy could be veteran additions to the staff as a quarterback coach. 

Getting Brian Callahan would be a major coup. He's a hot young candidate who is getting interest as a head coach. If that doesn't happen, perhaps New Orleans could capitalize on their slim hopes by offering him complete control of the offense and an associate head coaching title. 

A Greg Olson-Jon Gruden combination almost feels like a logical outcome for the way this franchise has been run lately. Both have prior relationships with Dennis Allen. More importantly for success on the field, Derek Carr has had success working with each coach earlier in his career. This combination would definitely ease Carr's transition into yet another new system with much of the same terminology and several plays he's been used to running. 

The team won't admit it, but one would think that Dennis Allen's job is on the line in 2024. He's missed the playoffs twice in an awful division and his team ended 2023 in dysfunctional fashion. With those factors (and more) in play, how much influence will Allen have in hiring a mostly new offensive staff? If his history with the Saints is an indicator, then one of these names could certainly be in-play if Allen has the primary say.