Brandon Staley and Christian Parker interviewed for Defensive Coordinator, Doug Nussmeier interviewed for OC; all on Feb 16 (47 Viewers)

[SailorJerrysHorse]

Judge his defenses as a DC, not a HC.

The problem is he’s only been solely a DC for 1 year. Yes that year he had a top D, but he also had two (at minimum) top defensive players in the league that year.** When he was DC (and yes HC) and did not have Donald or Ramsey he had one of the worst defenses in the league for 3 years running.

At best we don’t have enough data to know if he’s a great DC when not burdened with the HC title, and at worst we know he’s not.


**EDIT: Just to add to this, Raheem Morris took over as DC when Staley went to the Chargers and fielded two more years worth of a top 10 D as well. Conversely, when Staley left the Chargers their defense went from the very bottom of the league to the very top. Additionally, its a little bit of a red flag for me that the Rams chose Shula over him in 2024 despite him interviewing for the position. That’s a similar red flag to the niners are now passing him up after he was their assistant HC for a year (a year where again he was present for a decline in defensive efficacy and NOT burdened with the HC title).

I’m not saying he would suck here, Im just saying if we’re looking at results - which is what we’ve all wanted this FO to do for years now - Staley’s results have been well below sub par but for 1 year, and Morris proved after Staley left that that wasn’t solely because of Staley’s ability as a DC. Now, if you want to make the argument that his experience play calling and his insight into how NOT to be a HC would make him invaluable to Moore than I can buy that. But the idea that he’s some genius DC I just don’t think holds much water based off of his past performances in that role.

 

[tim martin]

Judge his defenses as a DC, not a HC.

i hear ya i’m not upset. niners de was pretty bad this past hear to

 

[scott88]

 

[3ParStillDriver]

2026 draft is gonna be wild. With his son entering the draft out of LSU and us needing a franchise QB, it almost nearly feels like a guaranteed attempt.

I suspect this just put a nail in the coffin of Carr and Rattler. And I’m perfectly happy with it.

 

[St. Widge]

The problem is he’s only been solely a DC for 1 year. Yes that year he had a top D, but he also had two (at minimum) top defensive players in the league that year.** When he was DC (and yes HC) and did not have Donald or Ramsey he had one of the worst defenses in the league for 3 years running.

At best we don’t have enough data to know if he’s a great DC when not burdened with the HC title, and at worst we know he’s not.


**EDIT: Just to add to this, Raheem Morris took over as DC when Staley went to the Chargers and fielded two more years worth of a top 10 D as well. Conversely, when Staley left the Chargers their defense went from the very bottom of the league to the very top. Additionally, its a little bit of a red flag for me that the Rams chose Shula over him in 2024 despite him interviewing for the position. That’s a similar red flag to the niners are now passing him up after he was their assistant HC for a year (a year where again he was present for a decline in defensive efficacy and NOT burdened with the HC title).

I’m not saying he would suck here, Im just saying if we’re looking at results - which is what we’ve all wanted this FO to do for years now - Staley’s results have been well below sub par but for 1 year, and Morris proved after Staley left that that wasn’t solely because of Staley’s ability as a DC. Now, if you want to make the argument that his experience play calling and his insight into how NOT to be a HC would make him invaluable to Moore than I can buy that. But the idea that he’s some genius DC I just don’t think holds much water based off of his past performances in that role.

I don't think Staley is some defensive guru, but according to Underhill and others I have read, Staley is a really smart guy and he brings the Fangio defense with him. He obviously struggled a bit with the Chargers, but some of that could have been being the HC distracting him from handling the details on the defense properly. EJW mentioned that there were some issues fitting the coverages in the secondary. Those are the types of details that a HC doesn't have time to deal with. So, that could be more a failure of the guy he chose to run the defense while he was handling HC duties than a failure by Staley (that is assuming he even had a DC). Hopefully a return to just coaching the D will help him with the details and hopefully, since he is apparently so smart, he will see and fix the mistakes he made.

And yes, his prior HC experience should be invaluable to Moore as a very young new HC.

I'd probably rather take the risk with Parker and bet on his upside, but there are some good arguments to go with Staley if for not other reason Parker has never called a game as an NFL DC and you have no idea if he is up for the job.

 

[Mojomajik9]

I wonder what is going on behind the scenes. No updates in days. Is Staley still employed by the 9ers? Could that be the hold up?

I kinda hope it’s because they’re hiring both Parker and Staley and they’re just hammering out the details of their roles…but who knows at this point.

 

[Silly Burrito]

2026 draft is gonna be wild. With his son entering the draft out of LSU and us needing a franchise QB, it almost nearly feels like a guaranteed attempt.

I suspect this just put a nail in the coffin of Carr and Rattler. And I’m perfectly happy with it.

Problem with that is assuming we will be able to get him without sending a ton of future picks to move up in the draft. If we suck this year it'll be a little easier.

 

[TalleyHo1]

I don't think Staley is some defensive guru, but according to Underhill and others I have read, Staley is a really smart guy and he brings the Fangio defense with him. He obviously struggled a bit with the Chargers, but some of that could have been being the HC distracting him from handling the details on the defense properly. EJW mentioned that there were some issues fitting the coverages in the secondary. Those are the types of details that a HC doesn't have time to deal with. So, that could be more a failure of the guy he chose to run the defense while he was handling HC duties than a failure by Staley (that is assuming he even had a DC). Hopefully a return to just coaching the D will help him with the details and hopefully, since he is apparently so smart, he will see and fix the mistakes he made.

And yes, his prior HC experience should be invaluable to Moore as a very young new HC.

I'd probably rather take the risk with Parker and bet on his upside, but there are some good arguments to go with Staley if for not other reason Parker has never called a game as an NFL DC and you have no idea if he is up for the job.

I don't think Staley is some defensive guru, but according to Underhill and others I have read, Staley is a really smart guy and he brings the Fangio defense with him. He obviously struggled a bit with the Chargers, but some of that could have been being the HC distracting him from handling the details on the defense properly. EJW mentioned that there were some issues fitting the coverages in the secondary. Those are the types of details that a HC doesn't have time to deal with. So, that could be more a failure of the guy he chose to run the defense while he was handling HC duties than a failure by Staley (that is assuming he even had a DC). Hopefully a return to just coaching the D will help him with the details and hopefully, since he is apparently so smart, he will see and fix the mistakes he made.

And yes, his prior HC experience should be invaluable to Moore as a very young new HC.

I'd probably rather take the risk with Parker and bet on his upside, but there are some good arguments to go with Staley if for not other reason Parker has never called a game as an NFL DC and you have no idea if he is up for the job.

Absolutely agree with you on Parker. He is my preference as well. Still hire Staley as asst HC and linebackers coach or something like that.

 

[3ParStillDriver]

Problem with that is assuming we will be able to get him without sending a ton of future picks to move up in the draft. If we suck this year it'll be a little easier.

Expect it. Every GM will make the saints pay a kings random for a trade up. And the Saints will expect it as well.

The only thing that would help, is if Garret Nussemier told every other team that if they draft him, he will refuse a second contract. This would force a team to consider if 5 years plus a franchise tag year or two is worth it.

If I had to guess, I would guess we will be picking somewhere between 17 and 22. I would expect to lose 2 or 3 first round picks as well as a couple of 2nd round picks and maybe even some 3rds.

 

[MikeyF]

Problem with that is assuming we will be able to get him without sending a ton of future picks to move up in the draft. If we suck this year it'll be a little easier.

Right now he is the 35th ranked prospect... Arch Manning is the #1 prospect in the 2026 draft...
If we have a horrible year, Manning will be the choice!

 

[Boy_of_wonder75]

Kellen Moore taps former Saints quarterback for top coaching position

Kellen has tapped Doug Nussmeier for the position.

www.wdsu.com

 

[TalleyHo1]

Right now he is the 35th ranked prospect... Arch Manning is the #1 prospect in the 2026 draft...
If we have a horrible year, Manning will be the choice!

IF...he declares early. A lot of folks are assuming he will. He's a Manning and may not. Also, next year is his first full year as a starter and a lot can happen.

 

[St. Widge]

I wonder what is going on behind the scenes. No updates in days. Is Staley still employed by the 9ers? Could that be the hold up?

I kinda hope it’s because they’re hiring both Parker and Staley and they’re just hammering out the details of their roles…but who knows at this point.

Underhill suggested yesterday that it's about the money in the contracts for Nuss and Statley. Apparently the have the same agent so Nick thinks it could just be the agent trying to get as much as he can for Nuss so he can get more for Staley.

If that's the case, I would expect the Staley deal to get done quickly now that the Nuss deal is done.

 

[St. Widge]

Problem with that is assuming we will be able to get him without sending a ton of future picks to move up in the draft. If we suck this year it'll be a little easier.

It also assumes that Nuss, Jr. will be worth drafting high in the draft.

 

[St. Widge]

Right now he is the 35th ranked prospect... Arch Manning is the #1 prospect in the 2026 draft...
If we have a horrible year, Manning will be the choice!

Both Manning and Nuss have a long way to go to prove themselves worthy of a high 1st round pick. Beyond that, I doubt Manning comes out next year. He will likely stay at UT until he gets his degree like the other Mannings have done.