Who Is Left On The New Orleans' Saints Offensive Coaching Staff Amid Major Changes?
It has been an eventful day for the New Orleans Saints with several changes to their offensive coaching staff. The team began with its biggest move by parting ways with offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael. After 18 years, it was a tough call to make, but a necessary one with the team's ongoing offensive inconsistencies the last two seasons. Additionally, the Saints parted ways with wide receivers coach Kodi Burns and offensive assistant Bob Bicknell. Both of which came in with a focus on wide receivers so with the success of that young position group, Burns in particular was a surprise.
It was not only the Saints parting ways with coaches that impacted their staff though. Running backs coach Joel Thomas took the same position with the New York Giants. This was a move the Saints could have blocked but chose not to, indicating that they may have been looking to make a chance there anyway. So with the offensive coordinator, wide receivers coach, running backs coach and an offensive assistant now gone, who remains on the team's offensive coaching staff?
Doug Marrone was previously the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars before eventually returning to New Orleans as the Saints' offensive line coach.
Aug 9, 2018; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone looks on during the second half of the game against the New Orleans Saints at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
Position Coaches
Ronald Curry - Passing Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach
Curry has been with the Saints since 2019. He has held several roles along the offensive coaching staff including working with the wide receivers, quarterbacks coach and has been the team's passing game coordinator for the last two years. He is likely to be heavily considered for the team's open offensive coordinator role, but with the team not holding on to many pieces of the incumbent staff, they may be looking for a fresh perspective.
Doug Marrone - Offensive Line Coach
Marrone is in his second stop in the Big Easy. He was the Saints' offensive coordinator from 2006-2008 and returned in 2022 to coach the team's protection unit. Unfortunately, the offensive line has regressed and become a major concern for the Saints. Because of this, Marrone is often listed as one of the coaches that could still be on his way out this offseason. But with 31 years of coaching experience in the NFL, it is no surprise that he is still on staff at the moment. His will be a popular name to watch for as moves continue.
Clancy Barone - Tight Ends Coach
Barone's unit was hamstrung early on in the year because of the concerns along the offensive line. Between injuries and protection issues, the tight ends were asked to chip, help block and serve a larger role in protection. As things leveled out throughout the season, Saints tight ends Juwan Johnson, Foster Moreau and Jimmy Graham became more consistent contributors.
It would not be a surprise to see him sticking around for another year with Johnson, Moreau and a potential new addition. It looks like Graham's second stint with New Orleans may have already come to an end and someone that has coached up Hall of Fame players at the position like Barone should be trusted with further developing this unit and any fresh talent that may find its way to the roster.
Kevin Carberry - Offensive Line Assistant
Before landing with the Saints in 2023, Carberry was the offensive line coach for the Los Angeles Rams for two seasons, including their Super Bowl championship year in 2021. If Marrone is moved on from at some point this offseason, Carberry has the experience to be potential in-house replacement.
Offensive Assistants
- Jahri Evans: Worked closely with the Saints offensive line alongside Marrone. Started as a training camp intern in 2022, entered full-time coaching this past season.
- Kevin Petry: Worked closely with Carmichael. Focused on quarterbacks in 2022 and moved to working with wide receivers in 2023. With Burns having been moved on from, Petry may be under consideration for a position coach gig should he continue to climb.
- Jordan Traylor: After two seasons as a scouting assistant, Traylor joined the defensive coaching staff as a defensive assistant. In 2023 he moved over to the offensive side of the ball working with Barone and the tight end group.
- D.J. Williams: Has been with the Saints for five seasons now as the offensive assistant working with quarterbacks. Signal caller Derek Carr credited Williams at the end of the season for doing extra work with him and running drills to help get the offense and quarterback in sync. Williams was also one of the quarterbacks coaches at the 2023 Reese's Senior Bowl.
Although he is most often noted as the team's special teams coordinator, it is worth mentioning Darren Rizzi in this piece as well. Rizzi is also the team's assistant head coach and therefore has a lot more involvement on the staff than often given credit. Rizzi is in his second year holding the assistant head coach tag and has not slowed down a bit. Despite splitting focus for both roles, his special teams unit has landed in the top five in five of the last six seasons, per Rick Gosselin's annual rankings.
