The 2024 offseason has kicked off in earnest for the New Orleans Saints: longtime offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael is out, as are multiple position coaches and assistants.
Saints head coach Dennis Allen will be back and he’s hard at work rebuilding his staff, looking for upgrades to get them back to the playoffs in 2024. We’re keeping up with every interview request and staff change as they’re reported, so check this space often for updates.
Here’s what we know so far:
Saints dismiss offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael
Jan. 16: Carmichael was let go after his second season calling plays and decades with the team. He was too slow to adjust to league trends and adapt the offense to Derek Carr’s strengths, also taking some blame for the regressed running game. The Saints needed to make a change. Read more here.
Saints dismiss assistant coaches Kodi Burns and Bob Bicknell
Jan. 16: Burns helped develop Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed in their second year in the NFL, but the Saints must have felt they could get more out of the receiving corps with a change. Bicknell’s responsibility as a senior assistant was to help design plays and keep up with league trends. Read more here.
Giants hire Saints running backs coach Joel Thomas
Jan. 16: Thomas had been with the Saints since 2015, but their run game fell off hard in recent years. They were one of the least-explosive rushing offenses in the league in 2023, and they needed a new approach at this position. It’s good that Thomas was able to leave of his own accord for a new opportunity elsewhere. Read more here.
Saints request interview with Bengals QB coach Dan Pitcher
Jan. 17: Pitcher is well-regarded for helping Bengals head coach Zac Taylor manage the clock and difficult situational football, and he’s done a good job preparing backups like Jake Browning to start when Joe Burrow has missed time. He’s a former scout with years of pro coaching experience. Read more here.
Saints request interview with Rams QB coach Zac Robinson
Jan. 17: Robinson is a respected Sean McVay assistant who has worked well on the Rams’ staff in a couple of different roles. He’s guided the Rams quarterback room through some difficult injury situations over the years thanks to an intimate understanding of one of the best offenses in the NFL. Read more here.
Saints request interview with Seahawks OC Shane Waldron
Jan. 17: Waldron is the best-qualified candidate on the list so far. He’s an experienced play caller who checks a lot of boxes, doing things well that Saints fans have been begging for like effective use of play action and motion. He also comes from the McVay tree. Read more here.
