Saints bring back Joel Thomas as running backs coach

By Ross Jackson

The New Orleans Saints are reuniting with a key piece of their past success, bringing back former running backs coach Joel Thomas to help guide a rushing attack expected to be central under new head coach Kellen Moore, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Thomas will return as the Saints’ running backs coach, per Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. The position reopened earlier this year when former coach Derrick Foster took the same position with the Dallas Cowboys.

After spending 2024 with the New York Giants, Thomas returns to New Orleans, where he was a vital part of the Saints’ productive rushing attack from 2015 to 2023. During his previous tenure, he coached standout running backs Mark Ingram, Alvin Kamara, and Latavius Murray to multiple successful seasons.

With Moore’s likely focus on a balanced rushing attack driving offense in the Big Easy, Thomas is a perfect fit.

Thomas is the second former Sean Payton coaching staff member to return to the team with Moore at the helm. New Orleans also brought back former offensive line coach Brendan Nugent, who also worked with Moore in 2023, earlier this year.