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The NFL’s hiring cycle is winding down, and the New Orleans Saints appear to have escaped with their coaching staff largely intact. But there was one big departure in overqualified linebackers coach Mike Nolan, who was picked up by the Dallas Cowboys as their new defensive coordinator. Nolan’s loss with the team is huge; before he was hired in 2017, the Saints largely acted without a plan or presence in the middle of their defense.

Since Nolan’s arrival, the unit has put up some of the best performances in recent memory, or at least since Sean Payton was hired as head coach. They’ve hit on draft picks like Alex Anzalone (when healthy), free agent signings such as Demario Davis and A.J. Klein, and trade acquisitions like Kiko Alonso. Nolan did a terrific job of identifying his players’ strengths and putting them in positions to succeed. That’s not something that could be said out of his predecessors in New Orleans.

However, the Saints still haven’t announced his replacement. It’s likely that they’re waiting for the NFL to converge on Mobile, Ala. in the week leading up to this year’s Senior Bowl. Coaches and team personnel gather from all around the league’s orbit to socialize and scout draft prospects, and it’s where Payton has found new hires before (such as Nolan himself, and defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen).

With that in mind, here are three candidates we’d like to see the Saints target as their next linebackers coach:

Marcus Freeman, Cincinnati Bearcats

Freeman, 34, hit the ground running after his NFL playing career ended back in 2009. He’s spent the last decade rising in the coaching ranks with stops at his alma mater, Ohio State, as well as Kent State and Purdue before landing in Cincinnati, where he’s stayed since 2017. Now the team’s defensive coordinator, he’s coached up a Bearcats defense that often punches above its weight class. While it could be difficult to lure him away (bigger college programs have reportedly offered head coaching positions to him before, and were all turned down), he’d be a great fit in New Orleans. He could enjoy being surrounded by so many of his fellow Buckeyes graduates, even if they’re of a later generation.

Pete Kwiatkowski, Washington Huskies

Kwiatkowski, 54, has been a fixture in Washington for the last six years, working under recently-retired head coach Chris Peterson. Kwiatkowski has coordinated the Huskies defense both by himself and by splitting responsibilities with co-coordinators, which speaks to his ability to see the big picture and work well with others. The 31-year coaching veteran is probably content to remain on staff under his longtime friend and coworker, first-year head coach Jimmy Lake, but it’s possible the Saints could get him to jump to the NFL. There’s no arguing with his results — Kwiatkowski has seen 11 of his defenders drafted in the top-two rounds since 2015, including linebackers Shaq Thompson and Hau’oli Kikaha.

Ben Bloom, Dallas Cowboys

Bloom, 32, might be a baby getting thrown out with the bathwater in Dallas, much like defensive coordinator Kris Richard. Mike McCarthy is building a new coaching staff and retaining few members from longtime head coach Jason Garrett’s crew, so Bloom could be on the move. He’s spent the last nine years with the Cowboys, though just the last two were in the capacity of linebackers coach. Before that, he assisted longtime Matt Eberflus, who held that office. He’s played a part in helping scout and develop star linebackers such as Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch, and could be a good get for the Saints if he’s not part of McCarthy’s big plans.

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