New Orleans Saints Offensive Coordinator Search: Ronald Curry, Zac Robinson, or Brian Hartline Among Best Options

The New Orleans Saints desperately needed a shakeup on offense. After moving on from long-time offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, their next task is to hire the right person to replace him and improve the offensive system.

It is without a doubt a good year to be looking for an offensive coordinator. The New Orleans Saints have made the tough call of moving on from Pete Carmichael after 18 years with the team. he team did so with the intent of improving their offense. In order to do so, hiring the right person to replace him is key. There are some fantastic offensive coordinator candidates available ahead of the 2024 season. 

Of course, the Saints have already been connected to former NFL head coach Jon Gruden earlier this offseason. However the reports around him tend to emphasize that he would be an addition to the staff rather than a replacement for a position like offensive coordinator. As NOLA.com columnist Jeff Duncan outlined:

Gruden likely would be an addition to the Saints offensive staff rather than a replacement for offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael or another coach in an existing role, the source said. The Saints made a similar move in 2015 when they added Allen to the staff as a senior defensive assistant while Rob Ryan was defensive coordinator. Allen was promoted into the coordinator’s role 10 months later when Ryan was fired.

It is worth being prepared for a curve ball, but it sounds like the Saints will likely be looking elsewhere when it comes to the offense's top position. Here are some top candidates to keep an eye on, internal and from outside the facility.

---

Ronald Curry - Saints passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach

Ronald Curry and Teddy Bridgewater talk before a game against the Miami Dolphins / Aug 29, 2019; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) talks to wide receivers coach Ronald Curry before their game against the Miami Dolphins at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Curry has been with the Saints since the 2016 season where he joined as an offensive assistant. He has since worked his way up as a wide receivers coach (2018-2020), quarterbacks coach (2021 - present) and then added the role of passing game coordinator in 2022. Curry has been consistently complimented on his contributions to the Saints' offense by Carmichael himself along with head coach Dennis Allen and quarterback Derek Carr.

Curry has been a hot name in coaching circles for some time, receiving outside interest from organizations like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when coordinator roles have opened up. Lasts season he served as the offensive coordinator for the Reese's Senior Bowl, which served as another showcase for his potential along with calling some of the Saints' preseason games in recent years.

Curry is familiar with the Saints' roster, mold and culture. The big question is whether or not he can provide a far enough venture from the what the team's offense has looked like in recent years as an internal hire. Would the Saints instead be better off bringing in a fresh perspective? Or would Curry, as a first-time NFL play caller be enough of a change of perspective on his own? That is what Allen and the New Orleans brass will have to consider.

---

Zac Robinson - Los Angeles Rams Passing Game Coordinator

Los Angeles Rams passing game coordinator Zac Robinson looks on during minicamp / Jun 7, 2022; Thousand Oaks, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Zac Robinson during minicamp at Cal Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Saints got an up-close-and-personal look at the potential offense they could look to replicate in 2024 in their loss to the Rams late in the 2023 season. Los Angeles Head coach Sean McVay has been at the forefront of NFL offenses and their trends for years and Robinson has had a front-row seat along the way. 

Robinson has been paired with McVay since he entered the coaching ranks back in 2019. With experience as an assistant quarterbacks coach and wide receivers coach, he has the requisite knowledge to translate an offense to the Saints' biggest playmakers. As a former quarterback himself, the ability to translate a system may come more naturally as well.

If the Saints want to update their system to generate more success, the Rams are more than certainly a team from which to poach.

---

Klint Kubiak - San Francisco 49ers Passing Game Coordinator

Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson talks with quarterbacks coach Klint Kubiak / Sep 25, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) talks with quarterbacks coach Klint Kubiak in the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Much like the Rams, the gold standard of offense has also been furthered by the 49ers and their head coach Kyle Shanahan. Look no further than the play calling success of Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel and Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik for evidence as to why Kubiak should be on the Saints' radar.

Even before his time in the Bay, Kubiak (son of former NFL head coach Gary Kubiak) had a ton of success as the offensive coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings in 2021. He help quarterback Kirk Cousins throw for 4,221 passing yards yards, 33 passing touchdowns and just 7 interceptions. He also help lead the way for sensational wide receiver Justin Jefferson. With Kubiak's offense, Jefferson totaled 108 catches, 1,616 receiving yards and 10 touchdown receptions.

Following that mold with Carr and wideout Chris Olave in New Orleans could be a path to replicable success.

---

Brian Hartline - Ohio State Buckeyes Offensive Coordinator

Ohio State Buckeyes offensive coordinator Brian Hartline talks to his team during a timeout / Nov 18, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive coordinator Brian Hartline talks to his team during a timeout during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 37-3

There is nothing the Saints love more than the Buckeyes, right? This one may be unlikely being that Hartline has no NFL play calling experience, but you have to start somewhere. Why not with a former wide receiver of Hartline's in Olave? The two worked together at Ohio State and found massive success in doing so.

The former NFL wideout deserves to be a coordinator in the pro some day, even if this is not the path the Saints choose for 2024. If not, New Orleans did also move on from wide receivers coach Kodi Burns. Hartline could be an excellent option in that role as a springboard to the NFL.

If nothing else, though, Hartline could bring the freshest of perspectives coming directly from the collegiate game. That could help the Saints get ahead of any trends that could be making their way up from the college schemes sweeping the country.

Saints Part Ways With Offensive Coordinator Pete Carmichael