Ryan Nielsen fulfills dream to coach in NFL, brings passion to Saints defensive line (1 Viewer)

[Dan in Lafayette]

By Herbie Teope -- Picayune

Ryan Nielsen found himself early in the year content to serve as a defensive line coach and run game coordinator for defense at North Carolina State.

But an opportunity to move up materialized in February when the New Orleans Saints showed interest in Nielsen to replace Bill Johnson, who was not retained after the 2016 season.

New Orleans eventually hired the 38-year-old Nielsen on Feb. 9, and the event helped one of the newest members of the team's coaching staff to fulfill a career aspiration.

"I think there's always a dream, there's a goal, maybe one day," Nielsen said. "I was really happy at NC State, but now that I'm here, I look back and the decision was a no-brainer."

A high comfort level throughout the hiring process also contributed to Nielsen's decision to leave North Carolina State.

Full Article -- Picayune

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

Definitely stoked about his hire.

Fact of the matter was in 2016 we finished with less sacks than we did in 2014 and 2015 despite more talent on the dline. Bill Johnson by all accounts was known as a good coach but more of a laid back type and at times our passrush looked exactly like our coach. Relaxed and lacking intensity. Working with millennials you need someone with passion and energy. Gets the most out of those young cats but will also teach them sound techniques and help them to maximize their natural gifts.

What he did with SC's defensive line despite it not having a premiere player on it was indicative of what you can expect.

Big Time Hire.

 

[Slaw]

Definitely stoked about his hire.

Fact of the matter was in 2016 we finished with less sacks than we did in 2014 and 2015 despite more talent on the dline. Bill Johnson by all accounts was known as a good coach but more of a laid back type and at times our passrush looked exactly like our coach. Relaxed and lacking intensity. Working with millennials you need someone with passion and energy. Gets the most out of those young cats but will also teach them sound techniques and help them to maximize their natural gifts.

What he did with SC's defensive line despite it not having a premiere player on it was indicative of what you can expect.

Big Time Hire.

My favorite position coach hire for sure.

 

[CitySaint]

The guy is intense and there's plenty of examples of that all over youtube. I'm wondering which players take to his coaching the most, some guys really feed off that intensity.

 

[football]

He is one guy that isn't talk about much. I know Mike Nolan is getting all the attention because all the linebackers we acquired in the off season. Honestly, my initial reaction to this hiring was "WHO?" Didn't know much about him and his resume wasn't all that impressive. But from his videos and hearing from his former players, he seems very intense and very high on fundamental. These are qualities that were lacking with the d line for a long time. At NC State, his d line was the strength of the defense. Beside Jordan and Fairly, he has quite a number of new or young guys to work with. I am very curious about the development of Rankin, Kikaha, Omeyata, Hendrickson, Davison, and Muhammud under his tutelage.

Keep in mind, his NC State was one of the leader in the nation against the run

 

[J.T.]

I had just read a very similar article about Coach Nielsen on The Advocate. I guess it was D-Line coach day for articles. I am very excited about this new coach and a few other additions to the coaching staff.

I honestly think the Saints team, as a whole, will field their most talented roster since the 2011 season. I think the 2011 team was the best Saints team ever and they would have walked to another Super Bowl title if not for that hated team out West. I was looking at some Defensive team stats from last year. I know this is simplistic, but the Saints gave up over 28 points per game last year. If they would have ranked about 10th in scoring defense, that would have been about 20 points per game. If they had ranked 15th, that would have been about 23 points per game. Take 5 points off of every opponent's point total last year, their overall record now is about 11-5, take off 8 points....overall record is now....14-2. Now I know that is simplistic, but it is not a pipe dream to think this Defense will improve to be at least an average NFL scoring defense. If they do.....playoffs are a near certainty.

 

[Cougar 1]

I REALLY liked the Nielsen hire! It's his first year as an NFL coach, but I think he's the right man for the job. Yes, he's fiery and intense. But he's also young and smart. He comes from the college ranks where he coached and TAUGHT his players while developing excellent relationships and respect among his guys.

With so many young, talented, but inexperienced players on the D line, we needed a "teaching coach". That's why I think Coach Nielsen is such a good fit here!

 

[Deucewildin]

I'd take 2009 any day not just because of the obvious. The offense was unstoppable , just as 2011 however ran the ball more but could've been almost just as deadly. But 2011 was subpar . 2009 defense all day over 2011 you give 2011 2009 defense and we are 14-2 or 15-1 with 2 Super Bowl rings right now. Sharper, Greer,Harper , Vilma , Smith were great . All played at not only Probowl level but All Pro level . Bush as a returner 2009 but fear in coaches dude was sick, this team competed at all 3 levels . However in 11 offense was just that dominate to win 13 games that's scary , D was older with a key missing Piece (Sharper) with the experience and it all being on the line ,returning and recruiting key coaching hires and health this yr has potiental to be better than both teams . With maybe one more key pickup on O a pass catcher . In conclusion .2009 cannot be described as no other word than GREATNESS .Period point blank.

Plays 09 D made we couldn't dream of 2011 Defense doing
-Porter 2 INTs
-Vilma recongizes coverage on 3rd down pass deflection was A.Coolie , doesn't audible mans up runs 18 yards down field and stops the TD.
-Sharper INT vs Miami
-Mike McKenzie comes off the street to shut down the Most Explosive Receiver of ALL TIME who was in his prime .Maybe the best period

 

[football]

I REALLY liked the Nielsen hire! It's his first year as an NFL coach, but I think he's the right man for the job. Yes, he's fiery and intense. But he's also young and smart. He comes from the college ranks where he coached and TAUGHT his players while developing excellent relationships and respect among his guys.

With so many young, talented, but inexperienced players on the D line, we needed a "teaching coach". That's why I think Coach Nielsen is such a good fit here!

I agree. Still remain to be seen though since he is a young inexperience coach. But I really like that he is a hand on person with a fiery ( not in a bad way) personality.

 

[Furious One]

...Working with millennials...

Big Time Hire.

I'm sure these are the guys who red thumbed you....

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

I'm sure these are the guys who red thumbed you....

Shrugs, I'm a millennial so I was only speaking from what I know personally motivates me. Its being around that energy that pushes you and prods you while also teaching you. The more laid back your superior is the more laid back you feel you can be and once bored you kind of just go through the motion and get comfy. Much more productive when being challenged consistently.

 

[AARPSaint]

Shrugs, I'm a millennial so I was only speaking from what I know personally motivates me. Its being around that energy that pushes you and prods you while also teaching you. The more laid back your superior is the more laid back you feel you can be and once bored you kind of just go through the motion and get comfy. Much more productive when being challenged consistently.

My impression is that Curtis Johnson has a similar temperament. Seems to work for the WRs.

 

[St.Dan]

Definitely stoked about his hire.

Fact of the matter was in 2016 we finished with less sacks than we did in 2014 and 2015 despite more talent on the dline. Bill Johnson by all accounts was known as a good coach but more of a laid back type and at times our passrush looked exactly like our coach. Relaxed and lacking intensity. Working with millennials you need someone with passion and energy. Gets the most out of those young cats but will also teach them sound techniques and help them to maximize their natural gifts.

What he did with SC's defensive line despite it not having a premiere player on it was indicative of what you can expect.

Big Time Hire.

Generation X (this member, anyway) also agrees it was a big-time hire

I think we'll see a marked uptick in the D-line's production this season because of Nielsen's fire in the belly.