Tag: coordinator

Report: Saints’ interim coach already has his next job lined up

Darren Rizzi is going to wait and see how the Saints head coach search plays out, but he may already have his next job lined up. You’ll never guess where:

Here’s the big tell everyone was waiting for. Darren Rizzi appears to have his next job lined up after working as the New Orleans Saints interim head coach this season — NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Rizzi “is likely to become the new Broncos special teams coordinator.” Rizzi was brought to the Saints by Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton when he was running the operation in New Orleans, so it makes sense he would partner up again with Rizzi when given the chance.

Of course it isn’t as simple as Rizzi swapping his Saints hat for a Broncos cap and getting on a flight to Denver this Monday morning. NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill clarifies that “Denver has not yet requested to interview him” and that while Rizzi would be the favorite for this job, he’s going to wait until the Saints officially name their next head coach before moving on.

And that candidate is expected to be Kellen Moore. Saints general manager Mickey Loomis told other candidates for the job on Friday that he was focused on continuing negotiations with the Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator, and that he wouldn’t make a final decision on the job until after Super Bowl LIX. That’s when NFL rules allow Moore to next speak with the Saints and accept the job. The Broncos are going to at least consider their options for a special teams coordinator, but the expectation should be that Rizzi will end up on staff with Payton once again.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Report: Chicago Bears not expected to hire former Saints interim coach

After speculation that the Chicago Bears may target Darren Rizzi as a special teams coordinator, this reports says that’s no longer the plan:

After the hiring of Ben Johnson to be head coach of the Chicago Bears, there was speculation going around that New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi was the target of interest to join Johnson’s new staff. However, that development has stalled out, as Rizzi works to make his case for the Saints head coaching job as we speak.

Rizzi is competing with some strong candidates for the Saints job, including Mike McCarthy, Joe Brady, Kellen Moore, Anthony Weaver, Mike Kafka, and maybe Kliff Kingsbury. While he does have the upper hand of being in the Saints system for years now and having the interim head coach experience, it also has to be factored in that his head coaching stint was not particularly fantastic. The team went 3-5 with Rizzi after their 2-7 start to the season.

He is also not the only coach among the list with ties to the Saints, so it is going to be an intriguing hire one way or another based on who they decide on. With that said, Rizzi is pushing all his chips into the center of the table on the head coaching gig, as it is hard to pass up a spot with Ben Johnson and crew.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Chiefs HC Andy Reid continues to support coordinators seeking NFL head coaching jobs

Kansas City #Chiefs head coach Andy Reid continues to support coordinators seeking NFL head coaching jobs | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs, the AFC’s top seed and back-to-back Super Bowl champions, won the AFC West for the ninth consecutive season and are focused on capturing an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl title. Head coach Andy Reid enters another postseason with many accolades already under his belt as he prepares his team during the bye week ahead of the Divisional Round.

The league’s oldest head coach has 26 postseason wins, the second-most in NFL history. He is also one of five coaches all-time with three Super Bowl victories. Reid has consistently credited his staff with their work and supports their efforts to leave for head coaching opportunities.

“You could take all of the coordinators there and put them right in that mix for sure. Both of them are – offensive and defensive guys are phenomenal, (Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Dave) Toub does a great job,” said Reid in his press conference last week. “I know the two names that normally come up are the offensive and defensive coordinators. Both of those two are – warrant that, yeah, for sure.”

Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy’s name has been circulated to multiple teams for their head coach vacancy, and he is already taking interviews. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is another former head coach interested in listening to potential offers as the postseason gets underway.

As expected, Saints formally request interview with Lions DC Aaron Glenn

As expected, the New Orleans Saints have formally requested an interview with Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn for their head coach position:

As expected, the New Orleans Saints have formally requested an interview with Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn for their head coach position, per The MMQB’s Albert Breer. Glenn is widely seen as a favorite in their search for a new coach, but that doesn’t mean the job is necessarily his to lose. That’s just the public perception.

There are several good reasons for the Saints to want to sit down with Glenn, though. He’s accomplished a lot with little to work with after injuries almost literally decimated the Lions defense this season, knocking out starters and key contributors like Aidan Hutchinson, Carlton Davis, Malcolm Rodriguez, Alex Anzalone, Alim McNeil, Terrion Arnold and Marcus Davenport. He can get the most out of the talent available to him and the Saints could use someone with that experience.

And the team knows Glenn well. He finished his playing career in New Orleans and returned to coach defensive backs under Sean Payton and Dennis Allen (after working for the New York Jets as a scout for a few years). He’s highly regarded around the league and should be a big name in this hiring cycle. Breer adds that both the Jets and Chicago Bears have also submitted interview requests with Detroit for time on Glenn’s calendar. So stay tuned.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

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]