Saints embrace innovation with new coaching staff additions

By Ross Jackson

On Thursday, the New Orleans Saints announced their coaching staff after a weeks-long hiring process. The hires included some selective retention, a couple of reunions, and some new faces from eclectic backgrounds.

#Saints announce coaching staff additions:

📝 https://t.co/uRO1wmdO4P pic.twitter.com/vZxDzSmLq0

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) March 6, 2025

Kellen Moore is showing self-awareness

Moore is going to be a 36-year-old first-time head coach in 2025, which is an endeavor that comes with a lot of challenges and potential pitfalls. To Moore’s credit, he is not your average 36-year-old NFL coach. He has a ton of high-level experience for his age. But the added weight and responsibility of his new position could provide some tests.

The former Boise State quarterback recognizes those potential challenges and has proactively surrounded himself with experienced mentors and aspiring leaders.

Defensive coordinator Brandon Staley and senior offensive assistant Scott Linehan are both former NFL head coaches that have seen successes and stumbles in their own right. They’ve been there and they’ve done that. They will offer valuable perspective to Moore as a first-time head coach. By placing those resources within reach, Moore demonstrates wise decision-making and foresight.

Moore elevated running backs coach Joel Thomas, who returned to the Saints after a year with the New York Giants, assigning him both position coach and associate head coach roles. The promotion for Thomas should help elevate his profile for future opportunities, but also gives Moore another mind to lean on in a variety of situations.

An associate head coach’s responsibilities vary depending on the organization. However, Moore actively ensures he has strong support around him as he navigates his newest career advancement.

Also, Moore made sure to bring along an important and familiar face in new offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier. The former Saints quarterback has followed Moore through each of his stops with the Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Chargers, and Philadelphia Eagles. Now in New Orleans, the tandem will continue their partnership, giving Moore a trusted confidant as he transitions into his new role.

Brandon Staley’s defensive staff is hyper-focused

As New Orleans anticipates significant defensive changes, Staley has carefully built a staff that remains focused, precise, and detail-oriented.

Rather than only hiring a defensive line coach—Bo Davis, a highly respected one—the team also brought in Jay Rodgers as an edges coach to specifically develop edge rushers. 

Instead of assigning one coach to oversee both safeties and cornerbacks, Staley strategically appointed Grady Brown as the cornerbacks coach and brought in Robert Blanton as an assistant defensive backs coach to provide specialized support.

Blanton, a former NFL and collegiate safety, may be focused on his former position while Brown leads the corners. Also, the team added a defensive passing game coordinator in former Texas coaching staff member Terry Joseph.

Staley left no stone unturned on the defensive side, also adding an assistant linebackers coach and promoting longtime Saints defensive coaching staff member Bryan Young to assistant defensive line coach. 

The defensive staff’s structure signals upcoming scheme changes, but more importantly, it ensures that every position group receives clear and precise communication about those adjustments.

Eclectic experience could help Saints operate ahead of the curve

The Saints’ defensive coaching staff brings a wealth of collegiate experience, particularly with standout hires from powerhouse programs like Davis (LSU) and Joseph (Texas). These additions could help New Orleans stay ahead of the curve and seamlessly integrate new waves of innovation. 

Historically, the college game has driven progress in the NFL, influencing the evolution of offensive schemes. Concepts like RPOs, read-options, and zone reads have existed for years, but their success at the collegiate level has significantly increased their prevalence in the NFL.

It makes sense. Teams rely on young rookies and draft picks to elevate their level of play. A common and proven way to ensure that is by putting those young players in comfortable situations. More and more the NFL game is impacted by collegiate success. 

The Saints can stay on the cutting edge by countering the changing landscape with experienced coaches who bring valuable knowledge of innovative concepts to the staff.

Meanwhile, on offense, Moore actively studies every level of the game, constantly seeking new concepts to add to his playsheet. His commitment to innovation defines his coaching style, and fans should expect to see that creativity take shape early in his tenure with the Saints.

The Saints extend their innovative approach beyond just offense and defense. By promoting Phil Galiano to special teams coordinator, they ensure a forward-thinking mindset in another crucial phase of the game. Following Darren Rizzi’s departure, Galiano emerged as the obvious choice to step in, positioning New Orleans to remain ahead of the curve in NFL special teams strategy.