There isn’t a more important question for the New Orleans Saints to answer right now than this: “Who is calling plays in 2024?”
For the first time in more than a decade, the Saints are searching for a new offensive coordinator — and one who will be calling plays, not just helping Sean Payton design the game plan each week. Getting the most out of cornerstone players like Derek Carr, Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave, and Taysom Hill while curing what ails the offensive line is critical.
It’s no exaggeration to say this is the most important hire that Dennis Allen will make as head coach. If he gets this wrong and the Saints offense starts out on a cripplingly slow pace again, it’ll be curtains for him. He needs to find the right coach who can carry Carr’s positive momentum over into 2024 while reviving one of the NFL’s least-creative rushing attacks. That’s no small task.
And names keep getting added to the search as the Saints interview more and more candidates. We’ll keep this list updated and check in on who is still available, who has gotten a second interview with New Orleans, and who has been taken off the board by other teams:
Jerrod Johnson: Staying with Texans
The Houston Texans quarterbacks coach has interviewed twice with the Saints. He’s a hot name with multiple teams seeking in-person interviews with him. Read more here.
Update: Johnson is staying in Houston, where he can gain more experience and improve his stock ahead of the 2025 hiring cycle. Read more here.
Luke Getsy: Interviewed twice
The former Chicago Bears offensive coordinator’s first interview with the Saints was not reported, but he’ll be visiting New Orleans for a second meeting. Read more here.
Greg Lewis: Interviewed once
The Baltimore Ravens wide receivers coach scheduled his first interview with the Saints. He previously spent several years coaching receivers with the Kansas City Chiefs. Read more here.
Brian Johnson: Interviewed once
Johnson previously coached quarterbacks for the Philadelphia Eagles before being promoted to offensive coordinator, but he was dismissed after just one season. He’s met with the Saints at least once. Read more here.
Mike Sullivan: Interviewed once
The former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks coach took over play-calling duties in the back half of the 2023 season, and he’s already interviewed with the Saints. Read more here.
Ronald Curry: Interviewed once
A longtime assistant with the Saints coaching quarterbacks and wide receivers, Curry was promoted to passing game coordinator and was one of their first interviews for the OC opening. Read more here.
Klint Kubiak: Interviewed once
Kubiak has experience calling plays for a couple of different teams, and he’s worked closely with Kyle Shanahan as the San Francisco 49ers pass game coordinator. He interviewed with the Saints once already. Read more here.
Brian Griese: Interviewed once
Griese has only worked as a coach for a few years but he’s been in an influential spot as the 49ers quarterbacks coach. Before that he found great success in broadcasting and as a player himself. Read more here.
Zac Robinson: Hired by Falcons
The Saints sought a second interview with Robinson but he opted for a better opportunity — joining their division rivals and teaming up with his Los Angeles Rams coworker Raheem Morris. Read more here.
Dan Pitcher: Staying with Bengals
The Saints wanted to interview Pitcher a second time, too, but he chose to stay in Cincinnati and work with Joe Burrow — but he still won’t call plays with head coach Zac Taylor on the headset. Read more here.
Shane Waldron: Hired by Bears
One of the first external candidates the Saints met with, Waldron chose to go to Chicago and likely draft a rookie quarterback first overall. That’s a better opportunity than trying to help Derek Carr through his struggles. Read more here.
