Saints 2023 Updated Coaching Staff

After a flurry of changes, here's an updated look at the New Orleans Saints coaching staff for 2023.

Author:
Bob Rose
Publish date:
Feb 17, 2023 2:00 PM EST

In this story:

NFL free agency won't begin until next month, but there has already been plenty of activity within the New Orleans Saints coaching staff.

Dennis Allen will return for his second year as the head coach. However, a flurry of moves over the last three weeks will give the Saints a different look on the sideline in 2023. Here's an updated look at the New Orleans coaching staff.

Head Coach

Dennis Allen

• Head Coach

• Defensive Play-Caller

The 50-year-old Allen was given at least a small vote of confidence by the front office. Not only by bringing him back for a second season, but also by letting him hand-pick the new additions for his coaching staff. His continued job security depends on the success of those decisions.

Allen is just 8-10 as the New Orleans head coach counting the one game he replaced Sean Payton for in 2021. Including a 36-game stint as the Raiders head coach from 2012-2014, he has a lowly .296 winning percentage (16-38) while in charge. He'll also have to buck the trend of recent NFL coaches.

Ten of the last 12 Super Bowl coaches have been former offensive assistants, with only New England's Bill Belichick being the two-time exception. Nine of the 14 playoff teams in 2022 had former offensive assistants in charge, while all 8 of the conference title participants in the last two years have been led by offensive minds.

Despite this and the poor showing in 2022, the Saints brought Allen back for his 13th season with the franchise. An excellent defensive coach, it's interesting that most of the coaching changes happened on that side of the ball. Allen's job status may more depend on the offensive side, where the majority of last year's staff remains intact.

Offensive Coaches

Pete Carmichael

• Offensive Coordinator

Ronald Curry

• Passing Game Coordinator

• QB Coach

Kodi Burns

• WR Coach

Joel Thomas

• RB Coach

Doug Marrone

• Offensive Line Coach

Clancy Barone

• TE Coach

Kevin Petry

• Assistant Coach/Offensive Assistant

Bob Bicknell

• Senior Offensive Assistant

D.J. Williams

• Offensive Assistant

Kevin Carberry

• Offensive Line Assistant

New Orleans ranked 19th in total offense and 22nd in points scored in 2022. An offensive juggernaut under Payton and QB Drew Brees from 2006-2020, the unit has been punchless for the last two years.

Injuries, no answer at quarterback, and a lack of playmaking depth at running back and wide receiver have certainly been factors. Unfortunately, so has unimaginative game plans, play-calling, and the inability to make adjustments during a game.

There is plenty of experience on the staff. Carmichael has been with the Saints for 17 seasons, including the last 14 as offensive coordinator. Marrone is a respected coach with 16 years of NFL experience, including five with New Orleans. Thomas has been with the Saints since 2015. Barone has 17 years as an NFL assistant under his belt.

Young coaches Curry and Burns are up-and-coming names to watch. Curry was interviewed for Payton's offensive coordinator position in Denver, but will remain with the Saints. Barone and Carberry are the only offseason additions to the offensive staff, replacing Dan Roushar and Zach Strief.

Marrone did a terrific job developing RG Cesar Ruiz into a breakout campaign in his third year. He'll be expected to do the same with 2022 first-round pick Trevor Penning at tackle. Burns, who came to New Orleans in 2022, did a wonderful job with rookie wideouts Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed.

The quarterback issue must be addressed, of course, as will running back, receiver, and perhaps interior offensive line. With most of the offensive coaches returning, the fate of the 2023 Saints will likely be determined by whether the play-calling and game plans show significant improvement.

Defensive Coaches

Joe Woods

• Defensive Coordinator

Peter Giunta

• Senior Defensive Assistant

Michael Hodges

• LB Coach

Brian Young

• Pass Rush Specialist

Todd Grantham

• Defensive Line Coach

Marcus Robertson

• Secondary Coach

Sterling Moore

• Defensive Assistant

Jordan Traylor

• Defensive Assistant

New Orleans made three significant coaching changes on a unit that ranked fifth in total yardage and second against the pass last season. The Saints allowed less than 20 points in the last six games of the year and were fourth in the league in sacks. However, they were just 30th in turnovers forced and were vulnerable against the run all year.

Gone are both of the co-defensive coordinators from last season. Ryan Nielsen, also in charge of the defensive line, accepted a position with Atlanta. Kris Richard, who also oversaw the secondary, had a mutual parting of ways with the team.

Dennis Allen will continue to make the defensive decisions, but Joe Woods will be the new coordinator. Woods was Allen's defensive backs coach in 2014 with Oakland and will take on that same role with the Saints. He was also Cleveland's defensive coordinator for the last three years and for Denver two years before that.

Helping Woods in the secondary is newcomer Marcus Robertson, who served in that same capacity from 2019-2022. Robertson, a former All-Pro safety with the Houston Oilers, was also an assistant to Woods on Allen's 2014 Raiders staff.

Todd Grantham will take over Nielsen's duties on the defensive line. Grantham is a long-time respected collegiate assistant who hasn't been in the NFL since 2009, but has 10 years of NFL experience as a defensive line coach.

Michael Hodges returns as the LB coach. He's been with the Saints since 2017 and oversaw the production of an outstanding unit since a promotion to his current position in 2020.

While Allen will still call the defensive signals, it remains to be seen how much the coaching shuffle will affect this side of the ball. A New Orleans defense that has been the strength of the team since 2020 is also expected to lose DE Marcus Davenport in free agency this offseason and could also lose LB Kaden Elliss and DT David Onyemata.

Special Teams Coaches

Darren Rizzi

• Special Teams Coordinator

Phil Galiano

• Special Teams Assistant

New Orleans special teams saw a noticeable decline in 2022. Wil Lutz had the worst field goal percentage of his career (74.2%) and missed four kicks between 40-49 yards, a usually automatic conversion for him. Punter Blake Gillikin wasn't nearly as consistent in his second season with the team.

Saints coverage units weren't nearly as formidable as in year's past. Their kick returners also created little difference in the battle for field position.

Rizzi, one of the more respected coaches in the league, has been with the Saints since 2019. He also brings 14 years of NFL experience to the sideline. Expect New Orleans to upgrade the athleticism of its coverage units this offseason.