Saints: Architect Of The 'Dome Patrol' Dies At 78

New Orleans Saints former defensive coordinator assembled and coached the greatest linebacking corps in NFL history, the "Dome Patrol."

Steve Sidwell, the architect of the dominant "Dome Patrol" defense, dies at 78. He was the defensive coordinator responsible for assembling and leading the greatest linebacking corps in NFL history with Rickey Jackson, Sam Mills, Pat Swilling, and Vaughan Johnson. Two, Jackson and Mills, were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 1991, Swilling was named the 1991 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year after recording an NFL-high 17 sacks.

"For nine years, Steve Sidwell played an integral role in the success of the New Orleans Saints and helped develop several of the franchise's greatest defensive players," Saints Owner Gayle Benson said. "The success of these teams and players continues to resonate with our organization and fan base to this day. My late husband Tom owned the team during Steve's entire tenure and had a great affinity for him both as a coach and as a person. In addition to being an outstanding coach, Steve was also a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Sidwell family, including his wife Kathleen and two sons, Brad and Scott."

From 1986-94, he made New Orleans his home under head coach Jim Mora. Sidwell coached 21 seasons in the NFL, following time in the collegiate ranks, starting at his alma mater as their linebackers coach in 1966. His entire coaching career lasted 35 seasons, with stints at the following programs:

• Colorado - Linebackers Coach (1966-73)
• UNLV - Defensive Coordinator (1974-75)
• SMU - Defensive Coordinator (1976-81).
• New England Patriots - Linebackers Coach (1982-84)
• Indianapolis Colts - Defensive Line Coach (1985)
• New Orleans Saints - Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers (1986-94)
• Houston Oilers - Defensive Coordinator (1995-96)
• New England Patriots - Defensive Coordinator (1997-99)
• Seattle Seahawks - Defensive Coordinator (2000-2002)

Saints Head Coach Jim Mora hired Sidwell as defensive coordinator/inside linebackers coach in 1986. His defensive units ranked in the top five in opponent net yards per game three times, four times in the top five in run defense, and three times in the top three in pass defense. Under Sidwell, New Orleans would lead the NFL in the following:

1. Opponent points per game twice (1991-92)
2. Run defense in 1989
3. Opponent passing yards per game twice (1992-93)
4. Sacks in 1992

During his nine-season tenure, the Saints' 408 quarterback takedowns ranked third in the NFL. Behind the defense's strength, New Orleans reached the playoffs for the first four times in franchise history (1987, 1990-92) during Sidwell's coaching career with the club.

Sidwell had seven defensive Saints players voted to 18 Pro Bowls, including the entire "Dome Patrol" starting linebackers in 1992. Five defenders earned twelve Associated Press All-Pro honors. The Saints inducted Steve Sidwell into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame in 2004.