By John Sigler | Saints Wire
The NFL’s hiring cycle is winding down, and the New Orleans Saints appear to have escaped with their coaching staff largely intact. But there was one big departure in overqualified linebackers coach Mike Nolan, who was picked up by the Dallas Cowboys as their new defensive coordinator. Nolan’s loss with the team is huge; before he was hired in 2017, the Saints largely acted without a plan or presence in the middle of their defense.
Since Nolan’s arrival, the unit has put up some of the best performances in recent memory, or at least since Sean Payton was hired as head coach. They’ve hit on draft picks like Alex Anzalone (when healthy), free-agent signings such as Demario Davis and A.J. Klein, and trade acquisitions like Kiko Alonso. Nolan did a terrific job of identifying his players’ strengths and putting them in positions to succeed. That’s not something that could be said out of his predecessors in New Orleans.
However, the Saints still haven’t announced his replacement. It’s likely that they’re waiting for the NFL to converge on Mobile, Ala. in the week leading up to this year’s Senior Bowl. Coaches and team personnel gather from all around the league’s orbit to socialize and scout draft prospects, and it’s where Payton has found new hires before (such as Nolan himself, and defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen).
With that in mind, here are three candidates we’d like to see the Saints target as their next linebackers coach:
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