By Ross Jackson
Every year, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero puts out a list of coaches to watch for present and future head coach job openings. This year, New Orleans Saints fans will be keeping up with the names that could become the Saints’ head coach this offseason. However, among the list of usual suspects like Detroit Lions coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, three Saints staffers were named as coaches to watch for head coaching jobs in future years.
Here are the three coaches Pelissero named and a little background as to why each has earned the recognition.
Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak
Kubiak isn’t going to strike many as the fiery, intense head coach. There’s no doubt about that. He described himself as having a personality of a “wet blanket” during his Week 6 media availability this season and also highlighted how the spotlight isn’t for him. Those things could get in the way of him actually getting a head coaching opportunity. But he absolutely has the mind and the lineage for it.
His father, Gary Kubiak, is one of the most respected coaches in the NFL’s modern era and Klint brings a lot of the same offensive scheme and genius to his play calling. The big question will be whether or not he can prove to be a “leader of men” or if he needs that done elsewhere while he just schemes up brilliance on offense.
Quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko
Another new face for the Saints lands on the list this year, and rightfully so. Janocko is an energetic and savvy coach with a history of educators and coaches in his background. His father was his football coach growing up and was also a principal. His sister is an educator and Janocko builds his approach to coaching around his knowledge of educating. It can be seen all over the practice field the way the coach scaffolds information and builds his players up throughout a session.
He will likely have to move into an offensive coordinator role first, but once he does, he could be a one-and-done before heading straight into a head coaching role if the NFL continues to value young offensive minds as they presently are.
Linebackers coach Michael Hodges
At any Saints practice over the last few years the three loudest voices on the field have been Interim head coach Darren Rizzi, special teams assistant Phil Galiano and Hodges. From “Atta boy, Petey!” anytime linebacker Pete Werner makes a play to “Let’s go, Willie!” anytime backer Willie Gay Jr. stands out, you won’t have any trouble finding Hodges on a football field.
His loud and boisterous approach is about much more than just being seen, though. Hodges is present and locked in any time he’s working. And that work has paid off. New Orleans used to struggle to both identify and develop linebacker talent. Now, all of a sudden, the team is riddled with difference makers at the position. Of course veteran leader Demario Davis is in a class of his own and free agent addition Willie Gay Jr. developed in Kansas City. But players like Werner, Anfernee Orji, Nephi Sewell and D’Marco Jackson have all benefitted from Hodges and his work.
Hodges may be a defensive coordinator as soon as 2025. If he shows that he can build a defense as well as he can develop linebackers, there will be very little doubt in his ability to lead a team. He was given a bit more responsibility this season, working with defensive coordinator Joe Woods to help prepare the run defense plan each week. That experience will be vital to his continuing upward trajectory.
