The Saints are hiring former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley as their next defensive coordinator, per Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.
Staley has been a top candidate for the Saints’ DC gig ever since Kellen Moore was hired as head coach. Moore was the Chargers’ offensive coordinator in 2023, Staley’s last season as head coach. Staley was fired before the end of the regular season and spent 2024 as an assistant head coach with the 49ers. He interviewed with the Saints last weekend and emerged as the favorite for the job, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
2025 will be Staley’s ninth season coaching in the NFL. He began his career at the college level before moving to the pros as an outside linebackers coach under Vic Fangio in Chicago (2017-2018) and Denver (2019). Staley was then hired by the Rams in 2020 as defensive coordinator. His defense finished first in total points and yards allowed, which helped him land the Chargers’ head-coaching gig after just one year as a coordinator.
Staley led the Chargers to a 9-8 record in his debut season with a top-five offense under second-year quarterback Justin Herbert. A 10-7 record in 2022 was enough for a playoff berth as a wild card, though the Chargers lost to the Jaguars in the first round. 2023 saw significant regression on both sides of the ball, leading to Staley’s firing after a 5-9 start. Of particular concern was the Chargers’ defensive struggles during his tenure; the team never finished higher than 20th in points or yards allowed across his three seasons.
Staley’s history with Fangio likely helped him land the job in New Orleans. Fangio is currently the Eagles’ defensive coordinator and worked with Moore in Philadelphia last season. The two led elite units on either side of the ball to a 14-3 record in the regular season and a victory in Super Bowl LIX. Staley will likely install a scheme similar to Fangio’s in New Orleans in an effort to turn around a Saints defense that allowed the third-most yards in the NFL in 2024.
The Saints may face criticism for their hiring process. Their other two candidates, Daronte Jones and Christian Parker, are both minorities. Given Staley’s early status as a frontrunner for the job, the Saints’ meetings with Jones and Parker could be seen as sham interviews that were only conducted so the team could comply with the NFL’s Rooney Rule.
New Orleans also considered some college coaches for their defensive coordinator vacancy, including Colorado DC Robert Livingston, per Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. Here is a final update on their search:
- George Edwards, outside linebackers coach (Buccaneers): Mentioned as candidate
- Daronte Jones, defensive pass-game coordinator (Vikings): To interview 2/15
- Robert Livingston, defensive coordinator (University of Colorado): Was under consideration
- Christian Parker, passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach (Eagles): Interviewed 2/16
- Brandon Staley, assistant head coach (49ers): Hired
The good ol boy network strikes again. Moore hiring his former boss with the Chargers. What a surprise!!!
Kellen Moore obviously felt good about their relationship…communication, personality and ability. The Saints could surprise people this upcoming season.
The 2023 Chargers all over again. What could possibly go wrong?
those dirty priiicks. not all cops are like that though, son.
Now try a Dirty Burger.
Hahahaha….well maybe he will find redemption
People are going to focus on his disappointing run and horrible end with the Chargers, but last time the guy was a defensive coordinator, he took over from Wade Phillips as a first timer, changed the scheme, and ran arguably the best defense in football. It’s reasonable to think he can be a really good defensive coordinator. Whether that will matter with the Saints’ situation is another story.
Remember one thing. With the rams he had two first ballot hall of fame players in his defense and 4 pro bowlers. I could coach that talent. With the chargers he had an average nfl defense and ran it into the ground. An established NFL coordinator went into the Chargers this year and put them back in the top five defensively with the same roster. this is a disaster. Hire for New Orleans Staley has no business being in the NFL. In my opinion, he shouldn’t be coaching Pop Warner.
Wait, who are these four pro bowlers you’re claiming?
Staley didn’t work out well as a head coach. That doesn’t mean he can’t work well as a coordinator. He was a good coordinator before, whether he had talent or not. Kingsbury didn’t look good as a head coach, but did fine work as a coordinator. Head coach is a very different job.
Think it’s a decent hire, N.O. with 3rd worst defense he’ll improve that if they can fix the cap issues and bring in some help.
Misery with Saints, if your team is going to suck at least be within the cap, need better budgeting.
One good season does not a career make. Outside of that he’s done nothing worth mentioning. I’ll bet their D takes slow steps downhill.
Jets fan “Oooof” content with mediocrity, that’s a big ooooof.
“… could be seen as sham interviews that were only conducted so the team could comply with the NFL’s Rooney Rule.”
That’s what the Rooney Rule is though?