Tag: Joe Woods

Dennis Allen comments on Saints’ split with Kris Richard, new DC Joe Woods

Saints head coach Dennis Allen commented on his split with Kris Richard, and talked up his new defensive coordinator Joe Woods as a ‘great relationship builder’

One of the more surprising moves of the New Orleans Saints offseason thus far was the team’s divorce with co-defensive coordinator Kris Richard. When the coach he shared that title with, Ryan Nielsen, left town for the full-time gig on the Atlanta Falcons it appeared that Richard would be an easy choice to take over in New Orleans.

Instead, Richard and the Saints agreed to part ways. He’s still searching for his new position around the NFL. Allen brought in former Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Joe Woods for the same role in New Orleans, as a coach he’s worked with before and who shares many of his coaching philosophies.

Allen gave some insight on the reason behind that split at the NFL combine this week, telling SI.com’s John Hendrix: “Kris was a guy that I think was an outstanding football coach, but I just think we probably had a little bit of a difference in maybe how we view doing things and maybe some difference of opinion in terms of personnel and those types of things. Just felt like it was a good point to go ahead and move on and give him an opportunity to move on also.”

Richard is highly respected around the league, but it’s worth noting that his secondary experienced some issues last season. They only intercepted 7 passes in 2022 after picking off 18 of them a year earlier. There were problems manning the slot throughout the season, with C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s initial replacement Justin Evans benched in favor of veteran backup Bradley Roby — and when Roby went down with an injury, the Saints scrambled to sign Chris Harris Jr. off the street as a insufficient fill-in. By season’s end, four different defenders logged 100-plus snaps in the slot: Roby, Harris, Evans, and Tyrann Mathieu.

That’s just one area the Saints may have felt they could improve by moving on from Richard. Whether or not Woods is the answer remains to be seen, but it’s worth noting that he’s had success in this role before as Vance Joseph’s coordinator with the Denver Broncos (as will be the case in the fall, Woods didn’t call plays; Joseph did then, and Allen will continue to do so now). And Allen is eager to work with Woods again after having teamed up with him in Oakland a decade ago.

“Smart, detailed, great relationship builder,” Allen gushed of his new defensive coordinator. “And so I thought that was I thought that was important in that in that position. You know, and really kind of creating that coach to player kind of bond. I think a lot of times people say, ‘Well, he’s player’s coach,’ and that he’s got this negative connotation that he’s soft or whatever, and it’s really more about taking a personal interest in each and every player, and I think Joe does a great job of that.”

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Broncos interviewed former Saints coach Kris Richard for DC opening

It isn’t much of a surprise, but the Broncos have interviewed former Saints coach Kris Richard for their defensive coordinator opening:

It isn’t much of a surprise given all of the obvious connections here, but the  Denver Broncos have interviewed former New Orleans Saints coach Kris Richard for their defensive coordinator opening, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Rapoport adds that Richard is seen as more of a runner-up to ESPN analyst Rex Ryan, who is viewed as the favorite for this role on Sean Payton’s new coaching staff.

Richard was hired by Payton as the Saints defensive backs coach in 2021, and he was promoted to co-defensive coordinator status in 2022 while sharing that title with Ryan Nielsen. But they both left Dennis Allen’s staff in 2023 when Nielsen was hired away by the Atlanta Falcons, with Allen choosing to install Joe Woods as defensive coordinator.

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Dennis Allen explains Saints coaching changes, puts emphasis on familiarity

Dennis Allen explains Saints offseason coaching changes, puts an emphasis on familiarity with his new staff:

It’s been a busier-than-expected offseason for the New Orleans Saints so far. Last year’s story in the spring was all about continuity, and how the ties to Sean Payton’s management of the team was a strength. After sliding to 7-10 under Dennis Allen, the Saints are shifting gears and moving on from longtime assistants like Dan Roushar, Ryan Nielsen, Zach Strief, Declan Doyle, and Kris Richard.

The Saints announced replacements for many of those coaches on Wednesday, and Allen shared some insight to these decisions in a lengthy  conversation with NewOrleansSaints.com’s John DeShazier.

The way Allen tells it, his top priority was finding coaches who share his vision for the team’s success: “The No. 1 thing was, as I was looking to make some changes on the staff, I wanted guys that I knew exactly what I was getting. I had familiarity with these coaches, and they’re all really good coaches.”

That meant reuniting with some of his old Raiders coaches, with Joe Woods being introduced as defensive coordinator and Marcus Robertson taking over the defensive backs room. Allen also brought in experienced position coaches like Todd Grantham (defensive line), Clancy Barone (tight ends), and Kevin Carberry (offensive line assistant). They’re each well-qualified for the roles they’ll be filling in New Orleans.

“It’s hard,” Allen said of dismissing multiple assistants after the 2022 season. “You’re dealing with people, but yet we all understand that this is a business, so sometimes you have to make tough decisions. Some moves were moves that we made, some moves were moves that, in Ryan’s situation, he had a chance for advancement.”

Several former Saints coaches have already found new jobs around the league. Nielsen is the Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator, while Strief and Doyle are working for Payton again on the Denver Broncos. Richard has been linked to a few different openings. Roushar went back to the college level, where he’s coaching Tulane’s offensive line.

“Change is always hard but change can also be positive because you bring in some new ideas, new thoughts and a new kind of enthusiasm for wanting to try to get this program back to where it needs to be,” Allen added.

The Saints are looking to rebound from a two-year playoffs drought, and the good news is that the NFC is wide-open. The Philadelphia Eagles haves significant challenges ahead of them, and the San Francisco 49ers haven’t been able to seal the deal either. After those two Super Bowl contenders it’s a couple of paper tigers (like the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings) and then a dozen teams all with mostly-equal footing. If these hires help New Orleans get back on track, they could be right in the middle of things in the fall.

If they slog through another underwhelming performance, well — sink or swim, Allen is going into it with his own support staff, not one he inherited.

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Saints announce 5 additions to Dennis Allen’s coaching staff

The Saints made it official, confirming five additions to Dennis Allen’s coaching staff that had been previously reported:

It’s official: the New Orleans Saints confirmed five new additions to Dennis Allen’s coaching staff on Wednesday, each of whom had been previously reported. There are still some vacancies to deal with run-game coordinator, a general offensive assistant, and maybe an assistant secondary coach on defense, but the coaching staff is pretty much set.

That’s assuming quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator Ronald Curry doesn’t leave for a new opportunity after interviewing for offensive coordinator gigs, or that Sean Payton doesn’t poach anyone else as he rebuilds the Denver Broncos. For now, here are each of the five new assistants settling in with the Saints:

Report: Saints hire former Cardinals defensive backs coach Marcus Robertson

The Saints are reportedly hiring former Cardinals defensive backs coach Marcus Robertson. He brings a strong resume and connections with Dennis Allen and Joe Woods:

Here’s another new addition to the New Orleans Saints coaching staff: Arizona Football Daily’s Mike Jurecki reports that the Saints are bringing in former Arizona Cardinals defensive backs coach Marcus Robertson, who was previously linked to the team by CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson. Robertson has a strong resume with 12 years as a player in the league and several years working in player development before he turned to coaching.

He also has some connections with Saints head coach Dennis Allen and defensive coordinator Joe Woods. Robertson was Woods’ assistant under Allen on the 2014 Oakland Raiders squad, and he later joined Woods on the Denver Broncos beneath head coach Vance Joseph (where they coached up Bradley Roby, who now plays for the Saints). He brings a lot of energy and insight to the coaching staff, which should be a welcome injection after the team moved on from secondary coach Kris Richard and defensive assistant Cory Robinson this offseason.

This is a good hire, even if it’s drawing some criticism for Allen getting his old Raiders team back together (in addition to Woods and Robertson, he’s working to acquire quarterback Derek Carr). But his back is against the wall in 2023 after the 2022 season turned into a big disappointment. Sink or swim, Allen is surrounding himself with his own coaches. His secondary only intercepted 7 passes last season and 2 of them came from backup safety Daniel Sorensen. If these new assistants can help the Saints make more plays on the back end and give their offense more opportunities to close out games, it will have been worth it.

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Cardinals assistant Marcus Robertson in consideration for Saints DB coach job

Cardinals defensive backs coach Marcus Robertson in consideration for Saints secondary coach/passing-game coordinator, per CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson:

This is interesting. CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reports that the New Orleans Saints are considering Arizona Cardinals defensive backs coach Marcus Robertson as an addition to Dennis Allen’s coaching staff. They have an opening for a secondary coach after parting ways with Kris Richard earlier this offseason, Anderson adds that Robertson’s title would be secondary coach and defensive passing-game coordinator.

He has a couple of connections to the Saints coaching staff — Robertson worked as the assistant to Joe Woods as the defensive backs coach under Allen on the 2014 Raiders, and he and Woods continued to work together on the Denver Broncos until the Cardinals hired him away in 2019. Woods was recently brought in as the new Saints defensive coordinator so it makes sense for Allen to surround himself with coaches he’s comfortable working with. His job has to be on the line in 2023, so he should build a staff that shares his vision and coaching philosophies. If he’s going out, go out on his own terms.

Defensive assistant Cory Robinson ran the Saints defensive backs room in 2022, but he let his contract expire after the season and may be looking for better opportunities. If he chooses to not return in 2023, it makes sense for the Saints to look at experienced candidates like Robertson. Before he started his coaching career in 2007, he spent four years working as the Tennessee Titans’ director of player development — and before that, he started for 12 years as an NFL free safety and won All-Pro recognition with the Houston Oilers in 1993. He would bring a valuable veteran’s presence to the defensive coaching staff if the Saints can reach an agreement with him.

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Report: Saints assistant Cory Robinson’s contract is up, may coach elsewhere in 2023

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that New Orleans Saints defensive assistant Cory Robinson’s contract has expired, and he may coach elsewhere in 2023:

This might be concerning. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that New Orleans Saints assistant coach Cory Robinson is a free agent after letting his contract expire following the 2022 season. Robinson has coached the secondary in New Orleans and managed the defensive backs room last year. He recently worked at the Senior Bowl, coaching several safety prospects on the American Team roster.

Robinson should have options. He could go join Aaron Glenn on the Detroit Lions defense or get a look with Sean Payton on the Denver Broncos, or get a fresh start entirely somewhere else. Depending on where Kris Richard goes next, Robinson may join him. He’ll be a highly sought-after coach given how well the Saints pass defense has performed in recent years.

Letting go of a talented young coach feels like a mistake. At the same time, you can’t fault Robinson for pursuing better opportunities. If he can get a bigger role on another team on the rise, he owes it to himself to chase it. There’s still a chance he returns to New Orleans as an assistant on Dennis Allen’s staff, but the decision to hire Joe Woods as Richard’s replacement at defensive coordinator makes him a de facto secondary coach given his resume.

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Saints to hire former Browns and Broncos DC Joe Woods

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that the Saints are expected to hire former Browns and Broncos defensive coordinator Joe Woods for the same position:

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that the New Orleans Saints are expected to hire former Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Joe Woods for the same position; Woods interviewed with New Orleans last week after the team moved on from co-defensive coordinators Ryan Nielsen and Kris Richard. He was dismissed from Cleveland after a three-year run in which the Browns defense ranked 20th, 13th, and 21st in points allowed and 14th, 5th, and 17th in yards allowed. Woods previously worked as a defensive assistant on Dennis Allen’s 2014 Raiders team.

So what will Woods’ role be with the Saints? NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill says they will continue to run Allen’s scheme, and that he’ll remain the defensive play caller with Woods serving as his “top assistant” while spending a lot of time with the secondary. Woods has often coached defensive backs throughout his career so it makes sense for him to replace Richard in that space.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero adds that Saints assistant coach Cory Robinson is a free agent after his contract expired. He ran the defensive backs room last year and recently coached safety prospects at the Senior Bowl, so if he doesn’t return that’s another job Woods could fill, or he could bring in his own assistant. The Saints may also choose to re-sign Robinson. Stay tuned for updates.

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Saints are hiring former Browns defensive coordinator to the same post

After getting fired by the Browns, Joe Woods has already landed a new gig

It did not take Joe Woods long to find a new gig after he was fired by the Cleveland Browns and replaced by Jim Schwartz. The New Orleans Saints have already hired Woods as their new defensive coordinator after co-defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen was hired by the Atlanta Falcons, and the other was dismissed in Kris Richard.

Woods served as the defensive coordinator of the Browns over the last three seasons, seeing the same inconsistencies throughout his time in Cleveland despite the talents on that side of the football. Woods now gets a free start in New Orleans to prove he is cut out for the gig.

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Tracking New Orleans Saints coaching staff changes, hirings, and interviews

Tracking New Orleans Saints coaching staff changes, hirings, and interviews: Instant analysis on every move

It took a little while longer than expected, but the New Orleans Saints have finally gotten involved with this year’s hiring cycle and begun making changes to their coaching staff. Dennis Allen’s crew needs all the help they can get after stumbling into a 7-10 finish last season, and the Saints are hard at work meeting with candidates to fill vacancies on his staff.

Check this space often for updates and instant analysis on each reported coaching change, hiring announcement, and scheduled interview. We’ll be keeping up to date on everything coming out of New Orleans as Allen looks to retool his coaching staff for 2023: