New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore announced today that the club has hired Doug Nussmeier as offensive coordinator, Brandon Staley as defensive coordinator, promoted Phil Galiano to special teams coordinator, hired Joel Thomas as associate head coach/running backs coach, Terry Joseph as defensive pass game coordinator, T.J. Paganetti as run game coordinator, Robert Blanton as assistant defensive backs coach, Grady Brown as cornerbacks coach, Bo Davis as defensive line coach, Jahri Evans as assistant offensive line coach, Peter Giunta as a senior defensive assistant, Adam Gristick as assistant linebackers coach, Chase Haslett as tight ends coach, Tobijah Hughley as an offensive assistant, Brendan Nugent as offensive line coach, Scott Linehan as a senior offensive assistant, Mike Martinez as assistant to the head coach, Jay Rodgers as edges coach, Peter Sirmon as linebackers coach, Scott Tolzien as quarterbacks coach, Kyle Valero as assistant wide receivers coach, Kyle Wilber as assistant special teams coach, Keith Williams as wide receivers coach, Brian Young as assistant defensive line coach, Ted Rath as director of sports performance, along with Charles Byrd and Riley Ireland as strength and conditioning coaches.

Nussmeier, a 24-year coaching veteran, including nine in the National Football League, returns to New Orleans after originally being a fourth round pick (116th overall) of the Saints in the 1994 NFL Draft out of Idaho, for who he played four seasons. He spent the 2024 season as quarterbacks coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. Nussmeier was a key piece of the Eagles' Super Bowl LIX Champion offensive coaching staff.

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts flourished under Nussmeier's tutelage, posting a career-high 103.7 passer rating, ranking fifth in the league. Hurts also ranked among the top eight in the league in yards per attempt (fourth, 8.0), completion percentage (eighth, career-high 68.7 pct.) and total touchdowns (eighth, 32). In addition, Hurts tied for the fifth-most rushing touchdowns (14) in the league, first among quarterbacks.

In the postseason, Hurts completed 65-of-91 (71.4 pct.) passes for 726 yards with five touchdowns and a 108.6 passer rating. On the ground, he carried 34 times for 194 yards with five touchdowns, tying his own postseason record for quarterbacks. In Philadelphia's 40-22 Super Bowl LIX win over the Kansas City Chiefs, Hurts was voted the game's MVP after completing 17-of-22 (77.3 pct.) attempts for 221 yards, two touchdowns, a 119.7 passer rating and 72 rushing yards with one touchdown, the most rushing yards by a quarterback ever in a Super Bowl.

Staley arrives in New Orleans after serving as assistant head coach/defense of the San Francisco 49ers in 2024. Working with multiple position groups, as well as serving as a valued resource to 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan, the San Francisco defense finished the season ranked eighth in the NFL in opponent net yards per game (317.4) and fifth against the pass (192.8 net yards per game). DL Nick Bosa was selected to the Pro Bowl Games roster after recording nine sacks, one interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. LB Fred Warner was selected to the Pro Bowl and voted Associated Press All-Pro and PFWA All-NFL, as he registered 131 tackles (76 solo), two interceptions returned for 70 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown return and four forced fumbles.

From 2021-23, Staley served as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, who he led to two winning campaigns. In 2022, he guided the Chargers to a 10-7 record and the first postseason appearance for the franchise since 2018. Prior to joining the Chargers, Staley spent 2020 as the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams. With Staley at the defensive helm, the Rams led the NFL in total defense (281.9 net yards per game), passing defense (190.7 net yards per game) and scoring defense (18.5 points per game), while finishing with the third-best rushing defense (91.3 yards per game).

Galiano, a 25-year coaching veteran with nine seasons of NFL experience, is promoted to the coordinator position after serving as assistant special teams coach (2019-24). During Galiano's tenure, the Saints kicking game has ranked among the league's elite. On coverage units, J.T. Gray's 93 special teams tackles and 65 solo stops lead the NFL since entering the league in 2018. Additionally, the punting game has produced the top four seasons in club history for punts inside-the-20-yard line. Since 2019, the Saints have excelled in the return game. Over the five-season period, the team ranks fifth in the NFL in punt return average (10.4) and tie for second with three punts returned for touchdowns. The coverage units have allowed the third-lowest punt return average (7.0).

Thomas, a 25-year coaching veteran, returns to New Orleans to tutor the club's running backs after previously spending nine years with the club (2015-23). After spending the 2024 season tutoring the New York Giants running backs, he returns to New Orleans with the additional title of associate head coach. During Thomas' initial nine-year tenure with the Saints, the Black and Gold tied for second in the NFL with 161 rushing touchdowns and his backs registered 25 individual 100-yard performances.

Under Thomas' tutelage, Alvin Kamara, the Saints' all-time rushing leader, earned five consecutive Pro Bowl selections (2017-21) and was the only NFL player with at least 1,160 total yards from scrimmage in each of the seven seasons he first coached him, three of them 1,500 or more. In 2023, Kamara became the franchise's all-time leader in total yards from scrimmage, rushing touchdowns and total touchdowns. Since his debut in 2017, Kamara is one of only two players in the NFL with at least 11,500 total yards from scrimmage and at least 80 touchdowns, holding the franchise record with 86 scores. Thomas also coached Mark Ingram II, New Orleans' prior career rushing yardage leader for six years (2015-18, 2021-22), including two 1-000-yard campaigns. During his first New Orleans tenure, the Saints ranked in the top six in the NFL in rushing three times (2017, 2018 and 2020).

Joseph returns to his hometown as defensive pass game coordinator after serving the last four years as the defensive passing game coordinator and secondary coach at the University of Texas. In Austin, he helped lead the Longhorns defense to an impressive 2024 season, ranking seventh nationally in passing yards allowed per game (173.8) and tied for first in interceptions (22). Joseph was key in the development of CB Jahdae Barron, who won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back and was a consensus All-American. Prior to his time at Texas, Joseph served as defensive backs Coach at Notre Dame (2018-20) for three seasons with the additional title of defensive pass game coordinator during his final two campaigns. While with the Fighting Irish, he led the development of Baltimore Ravens All-Pro S Kyle Hamilton. An Archbishop Shaw High School graduate, Joseph has coached defensive backs at several collegiate programs, including North Carolina (2017), Texas A&M (2014-16), Nebraska (2012-13), Tennessee (2010-11), Louisiana Tech (2007-09) and LSU (2006). Joseph began his coaching career in the Louisiana high school ranks as an assistant at Shaw (1999-2002) and Destrehan (2003-05).

A baseball standout at Northwestern State, Joseph was the 1995 Southland Conference and Louisiana Player of the Year, helped the Demons capture three straight SLC championships and held ten different school records when his collegiate career ended. He was a 13th-round draft pick of the Chicago Cubs and played four seasons in the Cubs and San Diego Padres minor league systems prior to starting his coaching career.

Paganetti arrives in New Orleans after serving as the run game specialist/assistant offensive line coach for the Super Bowl LIX Champion Philadelphia Eagles in 2024. He served on Philadelphia's offensive staff for the past eight seasons as run game specialist/assistant tight ends coach (2023), offensive quality control coach (2021-22), assistant running backs coach (2019-20), and offensive quality control/assistant offensive line coach (2017-18). In 2024, the Eagles rushed for a single-season club record 3,048 yards (sixth in NFL history), finished second in the league in rushing yards per game (179.3), and became only the second team in NFL history to rush for 3,000-plus yards and run for at least 25 touchdowns (29).

Blanton joins New Orleans after spending the past four seasons at Miami (Ohio) University, serving as the defensive pass game coordinator and safeties coach in 2024. A four-year letterman at Notre Dame (2008-11), the Matthews, N.C., native was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round (139th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft. He played six NFL seasons with the Vikings (2012-15) and Buffalo Bills (2016-17).

During his tenure at Miami (Ohio), five of Blanton's players earned All-MAC honors, including two in 2024. That season, Miami rebounded from a 1-4 start to finish 9-5, securing its first bowl victory since 2021. Sophomore DB Raion Strader, a consensus Freshman All-American in 2023, earned first-team All-MAC honors after recording 53 tackles, two interceptions, and a team-high 18 pass breakups. Redshirt senior DB Eli Blakey was named Miami's Defensive Most Improved Player of the Year and earned third-team All-MAC recognition, leading the team with 89 tackles while adding one interception and two pass breakups.

Brown arrives in New Orleans after tutoring the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive backs the past four seasons. Since arriving in Pittsburgh, FS Minkah Fitzpatrick was an AP First-Team All-Pro, named to the Pro Bowl three times, and led the NFL in interceptions in 2022 under Brown's watch. In 2023, Brown played an instrumental role in the development of rookie CB Joey Porter Jr., who was selected to the PFWA All-Rookie team. A second-round (32nd overall) draft selection in 2023, Porter played in all 17 regular-season games (11 starts) in 2023, recording 42 tackles (32 solo), one interception, ten pass breakups, 47.6% completion percentage on targets and a 70.1 allowed passer rating. With the help of Brown, the Steelers defense tied for the NFL lead with 20 interceptions in 2022.

Brown previously served as either defensive coordinator or coached in the secondary at McNeese State (2020), Old Dominion (2019), Louisville (2018), Alabama State (2017), Birmingham Southern (2016), South Carolina (2012-15), Southern Miss (2010-11) and Alabama State (2002-07). He started his collegiate coaching career as the outside linebackers coach at Alabama A&M (2001). Brown also held two National Football League minority coaching internships, first with Seattle (2004) and then with Kansas City (2007). Prior to entering the coaching ranks, the Birmingham, Ala. native played defensive back at Alabama A&M (1995-98) and one professional season with the Tennessee Valley Vipers in the Arena Football League (1999).

Davis, whose 30 years of coaching experience include five in the NFL, spent the 2024 season in the same position at LSU. Under his tutelage up front, the Tigers finished tied for 30th in the nation with 2.62 sacks per game. Davis was instrumental in the development of several Tiger defensive linemen. DE Bradyn Swinson had his best campaign with 58 tackles, 13 stops for loss, 8.5 sacks and two forced fumbles, earning second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors. Senior DE Sai'Vion Jones had his most productive season with 40 tackles, 7.5 stops for loss, 4.5 sacks and 17 quarterback hurries. On the inside, the Tigers overcame early injuries, as a group led by Gio Paez and Paris Shand combined for nine sacks and 15 stops for loss.

The Magee, Miss. native played nose guard for the Tigers from 1990-92, earning All-SEC honors as a senior. Davis enjoyed three coaching stints in Baton Rouge and also worked on NFL staffs with the Miami Dolphins (2006), Jacksonville Jaguars (2016) and Detroit Lions (2018-20).

Haslett, a ten-year coaching veteran, including the last five seasons in the NFL, arrives in New Orleans from the Dallas Cowboys, where he served as passing game specialist (2024), assistant tight ends coach (2023) and offensive quality control coach (2020-22). In 2024, the Cowboys finished 11th in the NFL in net passing yards (227.2) despite injuries to several key starters. Chase Haslett is the son of Jim Haslett, a longtime coaching veteran who served on New Orleans' defensive staff (1995-96) and as Saints Head Coach (2000-05).

Hughley arrives in New Orleans after spending over five years in college and professional coaching and front offices, most recently serving as a Bill Walsh Fellowship offensive line assistant with the Miami Dolphins in the 2024 offseason. The Lexington, Ky. native interned with the Philadelphia Eagles for 2023 training camp, assisting with the offensive line. In 2022, Hughley served as assistant to the head coach/defense with the Houston Texans after working in their video, operations and scouting departments for two years. He also served as an offensive line graduate assistant at the University of Florida (2018-20) and coached at Kentucky State (2017-18). Prior to starting his coaching career, Hughley played center at Louisville (2012-16), where he started 26 consecutive games over his final three seasons after originally joining the Cardinals as a walk-on.

Nugent, a 21-year coaching veteran, including the last 12 in the NFL, returns to New Orleans for his second stint after serving in several positions from 2015-21, including offensive line coach (2021) and assistant offensive line coach (2017-20). He served as assistant offensive line coach with the Seattle Seahawks in 2024. From 2017-21, when Nugent worked with the New Orleans offensive line as his primary position group, the Saints surrendered only 131 sacks, the lowest total in the NFL, tied for first in rushing touchdowns (103), ranked second in points per game (27.9), eighth in rushing yards per game (124.6) and ninth in net yards per game (364.3).

Linehan arrives in New Orleans with 37 years of coaching experience, including 16 in the NFL. The Sunnyside, Wash. native was the head coach of the St. Louis Rams (2006-2008) and served as the offensive coordinator for the Cowboys (2015-18), Lions (2009-13), Miami Dolphins (2005), and Minnesota Vikings (2002-04). Linehan's collegiate stops include Montana (2024, offensive analyst), Missouri (2021-23, offensive analyst), LSU (2020, passing game coordinator), Louisville (1999-01, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks), Washington (1998, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks; 1996-97, offensive coordinator and wide receivers; 1994-95, wide receivers), UNLV (1991, quarterbacks), Idaho (1992-93, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks; 1989-90, wide receivers). Linehan played quarterback at Idaho (1982-86), earning team offensive MVP honors in 1986 when he led the Vandals to an 8-4 overall mark and a berth in the I-AA playoffs. As a senior in 1986, he threw for 3,954 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Rodgers, a 24-year coaching veteran, including the last 16 in the NFL, previously served as the Atlanta Falcons' defensive line coach in 2024. Last season, he guided a young defensive line that helped the Falcons allow only 11 rushing touchdowns, tied for the fourth-fewest in the NFL. The Austin, Texas native served under Saints Defensive Coordinator Brandon Staley on his Los Angeles Chargers defensive coaching staff (2021-23), handling defensive line coach/run game coordinator duties in his final two seasons. In 2023, the Chargers defense finished with 48 sacks, tied for seventh in the NFL. A former college quarterback, Rodgers started 15 games at Indiana University (1996-99) before finishing his college career at Missouri State (1999), where he served as a team captain and named the Bears' MVP while setting multiple single-season passing records.

Sirmon (pronounced sermon) makes his NFL coaching debut after 17 years at the collegiate level. The Walla Walla, Wash. native played seven seasons (2000-06) with the Tennessee Titans and joins New Orleans after seven seasons on the University of California coaching staff, tutoring inside linebackers during his tenure with the Golden Bears and serving as defensive coordinator the last five seasons.

In 2024, Sirmon was a nominee for the Broyles Award, recognizing the best FBS assistant coach in the nation. Cal's scoring defense (22.31) ranked 36th in the nation and second in the ACC, allowing 10.5 points per game fewer than the 32.8 it allowed in 2023. Cal's defense under Sirmon was tied for second in the country with 17 interceptions and finished among the nation's top 30 in several defensive team categories including takeaways (27th, 22), team passing efficiency defense (25th, 117.8), rushing defense (14th, 109.8 ypg) and sacks per game (t30th, 2.62). CB Nohl Williams was a consensus All-American, leading the nation with seven interceptions. He earned first-team All-ACC honors after finishing second in the conference in pass breakups (15). Golden Bears ILB Teddye Buchanan had a standout season as a transfer, starting every game and finishing third in the conference with 114 tackles to go with 12 stops for loss, five sacks, seven quarterback hurries, four pass breakups, and two forced fumbles. DB Marcus Harris, another transfer, went on to play in all 13 games for Cal, registering 46 tackles (35 solo), two interceptions, five pass breakups and one forced fumble.

During his playing career with the Titans, who originally selected him in the fourth round of the 2000 NFL Draft (128th overall) out of Oregon, Sirmon played in 81 regular season games with 54 starts and registered 343 career tackles, while also adding four interceptions, including one that he returned for a touchdown.

Tolzien (pronounced TOLL-ZEEN) arrives as quarterbacks coach after serving in the same role in Dallas the past two seasons and on the Cowboys offensive staff the last five. Under his watch in 2023, Dak Prescott had his best statistical season, where he finished second in NFL MVP voting and led the league in completions (410) and passing touchdowns (36), the only Cowboys quarterback to finish first outright in passing scores, finishing second in passer rating (105.9) and third in passing yards (4,516). Prescott also engineered three game-winning drives in 2023, more than any season since entering the league in 2016.

Tolzien enjoyed a seven-year NFL career after originally signing with the San Diego Chargers as a rookie free agent out of Wisconsin in 2011. He spent two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers (2011-12), followed by three years as a backup to Aaron Rodgers with the Green Bay Packers (2013-15), playing in six games with two starts, and finished his playing career as a backup with the Indianapolis Colts (2016-17), appearing in four contests with two starts. The Palatine, Ill. native starred for the Badgers, appearing in 29 games with 26 starts, setting school records for completion percentage (68.1) and efficiency rating (153.2). As a senior in 2010, Tolzien won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, after setting a single-season school record for completion percentage (74.3).

Valero joins New Orleans after spending the 2024 season with the Eagles as an offensive assistant. A coaching veteran with 15 years of experience working in the NFL, Valero previously enjoyed stints with the Cowboys (2014-22) and Lions (2010-13). From 2020-22, Valero served as the Cowboys' quality control/analytics coach while assisting the team's wide receivers. In 2022, Valero helped Dallas rank fourth in the NFL in scoring (27.5 ppg) while mentoring CeeDee Lamb to top-six finishes among wide receivers with career highs in receptions (107), receiving yards (1,359), and touchdowns (nine).

With the Lions, Valero spent four years as an offensive assistant, holding the titles of assistant wide receivers coach (2013) and offensive quality control coach (2010-12). During his time with Detroit, Valero worked with Pro Football Hall of Famer (Class of 2021), Calvin Johnson. From 2010-13, Johnson was voted to the first four Pro Bowls of his career and received three consecutive first-team AP All-Pro selections (2011-13). In 2012, Johnson established the NFL single-season record with 1,964 receiving yards. Before starting his NFL coaching career in Detroit, Valero spent two seasons as a student assistant at Florida State (2008-09).

Wilber joins the Saints as assistant special teams coach after spending the previous two seasons as special teams quality control coach with Green Bay. In 2024, the Packers kickoff coverage was among the best in the league. Opponents started at the 28.8-yard line after kickoffs, second-best in the NFL. K Brandon McManus was brought in for the final 11 contests and made 20-of-21 attempts, his 95.2 field goal percentage second among all kickers. In 2023, Wilber helped tutor CB/RS Keisean Nixon to lead the NFL in kickoff return yards (782) and kickoff return average (26.1) on his way to earning first-team AP All-Pro honors. Wilber also helped the Packers rank ninth in the NFL in opponent average starting field position after kickoffs (24.8), including a league-best 12 drives started inside the opponent's 20-yard line.

Wilber joined the coaching ranks after a ten-year NFL career with Dallas (2012-17) and the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders (2018-21). He appeared in 135 regular-season games with 17 starts at defensive end and linebacker, registering 104 tackles (70 solo), six stops for loss, 3.5 sacks, four pass breakups, one forced fumble and four fumble recoveries. On special teams, he recorded 58 tackles, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Rath arrives in New Orleans after four seasons directing the strength and conditioning efforts of the Philadelphia Eagles (2020-23). He joined the team as the director of sports performance and was promoted to vice president of player performance in 2021. In four seasons, the Eagles reached the playoffs three times. The Dundee, Mich. native was selected by his peers in 2017 and 2022 as the Professional Football Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association Strength Coach of the Year. Rath will oversee all strength and conditioning efforts in New Orleans.

Saints Offensive Coaches for 2025 NFL Season

Saints Defensive Coaches for 2025 NFL Season

Saints Special Teams Coaches for 2025 NFL Season

Saints Strength and Conditioning Coaches for 2025 NFL Season

Saints Administrative Additions for 2025 NFL Season