Former New Orleans Saints co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen was recently hired by the Jacksonville Jaguars to be their new defensive coordinator. And it’s shaping up for a very familiar defensive coaching staff in Jacksonville; Nielsen has been quick to reunite with two former Saints colleagues.
Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 has reported the hiring of Kris Richard by the Jaguars. Richard was most recently the co-defensive coordinator (alongside Nielsen) and secondary coach for the Saints in 2022. Before that he was the defensive coordinator for the Seahawks and defensive passing game coordinator for the Cowboys. He did not coach in 2023.
Nielsen also recently added Cory Robinson to the defensive staff as well. Robinson was mostly recently an analyst for the Tennessee Volunteers, but was a part of the 2021-2022 Saints staff with both Nielsen and Richard where he worked as an assistant defensive backs coach. With speculation swirling that Saints star cornerback Marshon Lattimore could be traded this offseason, the Jaguars suddenly look like a possible suitor given all these coaching connections and their bottom-8 finish in both passing yards allowed and touchdown passes yielded in 2023.
