The Atlanta Falcons went behind enemy lines to poach New Orleans Saints co-defensive coordinator/DL coach Ryan Nielsen for their defensive coordinator vacancy. Nielsen, 43, spent six years in New Orleans, primarily coaching the defensive line.
Other than working for a division rival and earning high praise from Saints defensive lineman Cameron Jordan, Falcons fans don’t know a ton about Nielsen.
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Here are 10 things to know about Atlanta’s new defensive coordinator.
1
Started at DT for USC from 1999-2001
2
Signed with Eagles 2002 (0 games played)
3
DL coach at Ole Miss under Ed Orgeron (2005-2007)
4
DL coach/assistant at NC State (2012-2016)
5
DL coach for New Orleans Saints (2017-2020)
6
Declined defensive coordinator job at LSU in 2021
7
Promoted to assistant head coach by Saints in 2021
8
Named co-defensive coordinator by Saints in 2022
9
Saints D ranked 2nd against the pass, 5th in total sacks in 2022
10
Left Saints to become Falcons defensive coordinator in 2023
