The New Orleans Saints are going to get a second look at Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, who interviewed virtually with the team just over a week ago. He’s a highly coveted defensive mind with several key interviews lined up.
Weaver’s name rings a lot of bells but not just from his time in Miami. The Weaver name started to grow louder during his tenure with the Baltimore Ravens where he spent three seasons mostly working with the defensive line.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh spoke highly of Weaver during last years coaching cycle stating that teams will have “missed their chance” on Weaver if not hired and that next time around someone won’t miss that chance. He added that Weaver would be a “great head coach” if given the opportunity in the near future.
“Anthony is just an absolute star,” Harbaugh said at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. “You see him, I mean, he lights up a room. He fills up room too. Fills up a room and lights up a room, right? And then the way you reacts, treats people, the way he responds to problems, the way he coaches the guys, the way he presents, his understanding of defense generally is really good. I mean, high level but also his leadership ability, the way he manages players, he coaches and works with the people. I just think he’s a great leader and he’ll do a great job, whatever he does.”
That’s quite an endorsement, but the feeling is mutual. Weaver has expressed nothing but gratitude for his learning experience on Harbaugh’s staff in Baltimore: “I think the last three years I spent with Coach Harbaugh was a masterclass in just how to operate, move throughout the building and push your players in the right direction without being demeaning or demonstrative, but yet, still being demanding.”
It’s quite possible that Weaver’s opportunity could come this cycle with only two out of the seven head coach openings filled so far (Mike Vrabel to the New England Patriots, Ben Johnson to the Chicago Bears). Weaver, like a few of the Saints’ top candidates, has experience as a player as well spending time as a defensive end with the Ravens and the Houston Texans. Two teams in which he coached extensively. This experience as a player to go along with his coaching resume makes him a very intriguing option. We’re seeing now especially on the defensive side of the ball former players getting their shot as head coaches in this league.
And it wouldn’t be surprising to see Weaver be the next one in line.
