Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
The New Orleans Saints are positioning themselves very well to get familiar with the 2026 NFL Draft class. The team will have numerous coaches working with prospects at the two biggest collegiate all-star games of the offseason: The Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl.
Saints’ Staff at Senior Bowl (American Team)
At the Senior Bowl, Saints’ associate head coach and running backs coach Joel Thomas will be serving as the American Team head coach. Throughout the process, he’ll have a slew of Saints staffers by his side.
- Head coach – associate head coach/running backs coach Joel Thomas
- Offensive coordinator – quarterbacks coach Scott Tolzien
- Defensive coordinator – linebackers coach Peter Sirmon
- Special teams coordinator – assistant special teams coach Kyle Wilber
- Defensive backs coach – assistant defensive backs coach Robert “RJ” Blanton
- Operations – college scouting coordinator Ziad Qubti
- Operations – assistant to the head coach Mike Martinez
Saints’ Staff at Shrine Bowl (West Team)
Along with the seven staff members that will be getting first-hand experience with the American Team roster, more Saints will be doing the same at the Shrine Bowl. The headliner being New Orleans defensive passing game coordinator Terry Joseph who will serve as the West Team’s defensive coordinator.
- Defensive coordinator – defensive passing game coordinator Terry Joseph
- Tight ends coach – pro scout Josh Hill
- Offensive line coach – offensive assistant Tobijah Hughley
- Linebackers coach – assistant linebackers coach Adam Gristick
- A total of coaches and staff members will be working side-by-side with some of the premiere talent in this year’s draft class. New Orleans is in position to get some strong intel to add to their scouting evaluations ahead of April’s selection process.
