Tag: coordinator

Report: Wisconsin officially hires Jeff Grimes to fill offensive coordinator vacancy

Report: Wisconsin, Jeff Grimes in agreement on deal as Badgers’ new offensive coordinator

Wisconsin is officially in agreement to hire Kansas’ Jeff Grimes as its new offensive coordinator, according to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg.

The Badgers were first reported to be pursuing Grimes on Friday. Just one day later, the deal appears to have been finalized. The specific terms are yet to be announced.

Related: Ranking Wisconsin football’s updated transfer portal needs after a busy first week of movement

Grimes is set to fill a position that became vacant when Wisconsin fired Phil Longo in mid-November. Luke Fickell and the Badgers closed the season with a coordinator-by-committee approach, which was a sub-story to closing losses to rivals Nebraska and Minnesota.

The veteran coordinator is making a lateral move to Wisconsin after spending one year as Kansas’ offensive coordinator. He’s previously held the same position at Baylor (2021-23) and BYU (2018-20). Prior, Grimes was an offensive line coach for numerous top programs, highlighted by time at LSU (2014-17), Virginia Tech (2013) and Auburn (2009-12).

There is still no official word from the Wisconsin program. But Rittenberg’s report, paired with Kansas hiring a new coordinator, enforces its reality.

Grimes will be tasked with fixing a Wisconsin offense that averaged just 22.6 points per game in 2024 (No. 108 in the nation) and 23.5 points per game (No. 93) in 2023. He figures to bring a more classic old-school Wisconsin approach, a departure from the previous two years of Phil Longo’s air raid system.

The next step for the veteran coordinator is recrafting the team’s quarterback room. Kansas star QB Jalon Daniels is staying put with the Jayhawks, so the Badgers may be forced into the larger transfer market. Veteran Tyler Van Dyke may return, though questions surround his health after a September ACL injury.

Grimes’ job will be critical to Luke Fickell’s tenure as he works to improve the team from its 12-13 combined record over the last two seasons.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

Saints DC Joe Woods on facing Giants star rookie Malik Nabers: ‘He’s special’

New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Joe Woods has high praise for Malik Nabers. The rookie is a special talent, and could be a problem on Sunday:

It didn’t take New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Joe Woods long to praise Malik Nabers. When asked about the New York Giants rookie wide receiver, the first thing out of Woods’ mouth was, “He’s special.”

Nabers was described by Woods as possessing “slot receiver movement skills, but has the size to play outside.” The combination of those skills makes him a difficult player to defend.

What may be the most concerning is Nabers’ ability to get yards after the catch. This is one of the wide receiver’s traits Woods singled out. The Saints have to be tight at the catch point and be a sure tacklers.

Woods reflects on seeing Nabers when scouting for defensive backs. “Part of when you’re evaluating guys coming out of college, like defensive backs, you want to see them play against the best receivers. A lot of defensive backs that I looked at if they played LSU, I was watching that game. I noticed him right away.”

If Nabers is able to play, he’ll be a challenge for Woods and his defense to slow down. The wideout is dealing with a hip injury suffered in practice this week that may keep him on the sidelines for Week 14.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Saints ST coach Darren Rizzi leading onside kick rules change proposal

Successful onside kicks have become a rare thing in the NFL, but Saints special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi is working to reverse that:

Successful onside kicks have become a rare thing in the NFL as health and safety-minded rules changes cut down on opportunities for teams to design a clever play, but New Orleans Saints special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi is working to reverse that.

Rizzi workshopped a proposal with other special teams coordinators around the league (namely the Dallas Cowboys’ John Fassel and Chicago Bears’ Richard Hightower, per the MMQB’s Albert Breer) to present to the NFL competition committee with hopes of making the game’s third phase more exciting while keeping player safety in mind.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, their proposal would limit onside kick attempts to situations in which teams are trailing in the fourth quarter, as well as requiring them to declare their intentions before trying it. But they would be allowed to use old-school unbalanced formations, giving the kicking team a numbers advantage in recovery.

This is one of several ways in which the NFL is trying to relitigate kick returns after their last wave of rules changes essentially nullified them; we’ve never seen so few kicks returned or onside kicks recovered in the history of the game. Pelissero adds that other aspects of the proposal include more limitations on when and where players can move before the kick is touched, as well as increasing the distance gained from a touchback to 35 yards.

Still, if these rules already existed we’d be without one of the most memorable plays in Saints history: “Ambush,” the surprise onside kick to start the third quarter of Super Bowl XLIV.

The NFL has written itself into a corner by coming down so hard on kick returns. More rules changes could help, but they’re just as likely to continue whittling the play’s impact on the game even further down. Having experienced special teams coaches like Rizzi at the forefront may be good for the process, but the results will speak for themselves.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Chiefs extend contract of special teams coordinator Dave Toub

Special teams coordinator Dave Toub was the latest assistant coach to earn a contract extension after the #Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVIII victory.

After extending defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s contract earlier this week, the Kansas City Chiefs locked in yet another assistant coach to a long-term deal on Friday.

Longtime special teams coordinator Dave Toub was the latest coach to earn a new contract, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter.

Toub’s new contract will keep him in Kansas City for the next three years and will ensure that the Chiefs maintain continuity on their coaching staff as they endeavor to win their third consecutive Super Bowl next season.

The veteran coordinator has been a fixture on Kansas City’s sideline since Andy Reid’s tenure with the Chiefs started in 2013. Before his time in the NFL, Toub coached the Missouri Tigers for more than a decade between 1989 and 2000.

His continued presence will be a valuable asset for Kansas City in the coming years as the Chiefs look to build their budding dynasty for the long term.

Losing Phil Galiano could be a big hit to the Saints special teams units

Losing Phil Galiano would be a big hit to the Saints special teams units. Only one team has allowed fewer return yards since he was hired:

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are interviewing Phil Galiano for their open special teams coordinator job on Tuesday — and losing him could be a big hit to the New Orleans Saints kicking units.

Galiano isn’t a big name in New Orleans. He’s worked as the assistant to Saints special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi since they were both hired in 2019, rarely speaking to the media or taking the spotlight. But they have both played a key role in maintaining the Saints’ excellence in the game’s third phase.

We tend to think of special teams as being all about kicking field goals and punting the ball away. But it’s a real team effort. Finding the right players who can get downfield in a hurry and limit returns is critical. And Galiano deserves some credit for helping the Saints outperform the rest of the league in that phase.

Since Rizzi and Galiano arrived in 2019, the Saints are the only team in the NFL to allow fewer than 1,000 punt return yards (998) and 2,500 kick return yards (2,350). Only one team, the Washington Commanders, has given up fewer total return yards with 3,103 to the Saints’ 3,348. The other 30 teams in the NFL have all allowed 3,500 or more.

Here’s how they all stack up:

It’s possible the Buccaneers end up hiring a different candidate for their special teams coordinator opening. At the same time, there’s a chance Galiano could leave for the promotion. If he does exit this isn’t a loss that Saints fans should overlook. Hopefully Rizzi already has an idea of possible replacements should he need to hire a new assistant.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Bucs to interview Saints assistant Phil Galiano for special teams coordinator job

The Buccaneers will interview Saints assistant Phil Galiano for their special teams coordinator job. He’s been a big part of their success in the game’s third phase:

Another key New Orleans Saints assistant coach could be going to a division rival. NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill reports that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will interview Phil Galiano for their special teams coordinator opening on Tuesday.

This would be a promotion for Galiano, who has worked as the assistant special teams coach to Darren Rizzi the last few years, so the Saints cannot block it. That was the case last year when the Atlanta Falcons hired New Orleans’ defensive line coach and co-coordinator Ryan Nielsen for their defensive coordinator gig (though he’s since joined the Jacksonville Jaguars in the same role).

Galiano, 46, has worked for the Buccaneers before; he was an assistant special teams coach on Greg Schiano in the 2012 and 2013 seasons. He’s also held the title of special teams coordinator at the college level with Penn State. The Saints’ kicking units have ranked among the best in the league since he and Rizzi joined the squad in 2019 and his departure would be missed.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Texans QB coach Jerrod Johnson schedules second interview with Saints

Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson scheduled a second interview with the Saints, meeting team brass in person on Saturday:

This could be big: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the New Orleans Saints are meeting Jerrod Johnson for a second interview on Saturday, this time speaking with him in person following a virtual interview earlier this week. He’s a candidate for their open offensive coordinator position.

Johnson, 35, has been a hot candidate as teams work to look for their new play caller. He’s also interviewed with the Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, and Philadelphia Eagles.

A highly productive quarterback at Texas A&M, Johnson has risen quickly through the coaching ranks as an assistant with the San Francisco 49ers (under Kyle Shanahan) and Indianapolis Colts (under Frank Reich). Before joining DeMeco Ryans’ staff on the Texans, he was an assistant quarterbacks coach for the Minnesota Vikings under Kevin O’Connell. He’s worked closely with some of the most successful head coaches in the league and could be a good fit with the Saints.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Falcons to hire Raheem Morris as head coach, complicating Saints’ OC search

Falcons to hire Raheem Morris as head coach, which could complicate the Saints offensive coordinator search:

The Atlanta Falcons are reportedly zeroing in on Raheem Morris as their next head coach — the Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator worked as Atlanta’s interim head coach during the 2020 season, and led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers more than a decade ago.

Now that’s newsworthy in itself. But Morris landing a head coach job of his own, much less in the NFC South, could complicate the New Orleans Saints’ search for an offensive coordinator. Morris has worked closely with Rams quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator Zac Robinson in recent years and he could be joining Morris on the Falcons. They’ve obviously found success working together before.

If that’s the case, the Saints could lose out on their best-qualified candidate for offensive coordinator to a division rival. Just like New Orleans, Atlanta offers Robinson the opportunity to get out of Sean McVay’s shadow and call his own plays while running the offense under a defensive-minded head coach. But the familiarity with Morris might make a difference. CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones characterized Robinson as “a strong candidate” to join Morris in Atlanta.

Still, it’s not like the Saints and Falcons are Robinson’s only suitors. He’s interviewed with many teams for their offensive coordinator openings this cycle and he could just as well go somewhere else. Still, with this being the most important hire Dennis Allen will make in his three years as head coach, it’s not a decision the Saints can afford to get wrong.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

5 things Kalen DeBoer must do in his first day as Alabama’s head coach

The five most important acts Kalen DeBoer must complete in his first day as Alabama’s head coach

Replacing [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] was going to be an impossible task, but it feels like landing [autotag]Kalen DeBoer[/autotag] is as good as it gets.

DeBoer is a proven winner with a 104-12 head coaching record. He is coming off a national title game appearance in just his second year with the Washington Huskies. He was reportedly athletic director Greg Byrne’s top target and the sides worked hard to get a deal done with almost no leaks.

DeBoer should be celebrated and enjoy the new promotion, but first thing in the morning we gotta get to work. Name, image and likeness licensing and the transfer portal have changed the game and allow you to essentially revamp your roster overnight, but DeBoer will have his work cut out for him. Many of the guys in the Alabama program came here because they wanted to play for Nick Saban, keeping them is going to require a sales pitch and a vision.

DeBoer has coordinator positions to fill, open roster spots and several other issues to attack. He has limited time to do so. Here are the five most important things DeBoer must do on his first day as head coach of the Crimson Tide:

Anonymous NFL players rank Saints’ Darren Rizzi as a top-5 special teams coordinator

An NFL Players Association of anonymous players ranked New Orleans Saints assistant Darren Rizzi as a top-5 special teams coordinator:

An anonymous poll from the NFL Players Association surveyed more than 1,700 players, asking them to rate their offensive, defensive, and special teams coordinators on a scale from 1 to 10 — and the NFLPA has already released the top-five at each spot, with the full rankings to come in the offseason.

Just one New Orleans Saints coordinator made the cut for the top-five: Darren Rizzi, their special teams coordinator. A longtime assistant with the Miami Dolphins before he came to New Orleans, Rizzi is respected for his ability to connect to his players and put them in position to win. Rizzi interviewed for the Saints head coach job when it became available in the wake of Sean Payton’s departure from the team, and he added the title of assistant head coach in 2022 under Dennis Allen.

So what were the exact items on this questionnaire? NFLPA president JC Tretter told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero that these were qualitative ratings with “all encompassing” criteria. Pelissero quoted Tretter as saying “Guys in the Top 5 list pretty clearly appeal to almost everybody in their locker room.”

Another former Saints assistant was also recognized by his players as a great coach: Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who came up on the New Orleans staff working with the secondary under Allen and Payton. He’s repeatedly received interviews for head coach openings around the league and he might be in line to run his own team in the near future.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]