In a bold move, the New Orleans Saints have officially named Kellen Moore as their new head coach. The former Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator now takes the reins in New Orleans after coming off a Super Bowl winning season, bringing his innovative play-calling and quarterback-friendly system to a franchise looking for a fresh offensive identity. At just 36 years old, Moore becomes the youngest head coach in franchise history and is expected to revamp the Saints’ offense after recent struggles.
With Moore in place, the focus now shifts to his coaching staff. Two key names are already being discussed as potential hires: Doug Nussmeier and Brandon Staley.
Doug Nussmeier as Offensive Coordinator?
One of the most logical hires for Moore would be Doug Nussmeier, who has worked closely with him in the past. Their relationship dates back to their time with the Dallas Cowboys, where Moore was the offensive coordinator and Nussmeier served as the quarterbacks coach. The two developed a strong chemistry while working with Dak Prescott, helping to shape one of the league’s more productive offenses at the time.
Beyond his connection to Moore, Nussmeier brings a wealth of experience at both the collegiate and NFL levels. He has worked as an offensive coordinator at Alabama, Michigan, and Florida, in addition to his roles with the Cowboys and Chargers. His familiarity with Moore’s philosophy makes him an ideal candidate to implement the new offensive system in New Orleans.
Additionally, Nussmeier has ties to the city of New Orleans. As a former quarterback in the NFL and CFL, he understands the culture and passion of the region. Especially given the fact that he was drafted by the Saints in the late 90s so he is quite familiar with the region. Given the Saints need for offensive stability, Nussmeier would provide continuity and a proven track record of success working with quarterbacks, making him an excellent fit.
Brandon Staley as Defensive Coordinator?
Another intriguing name linked to Moore’s staff is former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley. Moore and Staley worked together during the 2023 season, when Moore was the offensive coordinator for the Chargers. Despite Staley’s struggles as a head coach, he is still highly respected as a defensive mind, particularly for his time as the Rams’ defensive coordinator in 2020, when he led the NFL’s top-ranked defense.
A potential Staley hire would bring balance to the Saints’ staff, as he would allow Moore to focus entirely on the offense while handling the defensive side of the ball. His aggressive, modern approach to defense aligns well with today’s NFL, and given the Saints’ existing talent on defense, he could maximize their strengths.
Staley’s familiarity with Moore and his ability to game-plan against high-powered offenses could be invaluable. If Moore wants a seasoned defensive coach who has experience running an entire team, Staley could be the perfect fit.
Final Thoughts
As Kellen Moore assembles his staff, the additions of Doug Nussmeier and Brandon Staley would bring familiarity, experience, and strategic balance to the Saints’ coaching ranks. With Moore’s offensive expertise, Nussmeier’s quarterback development skills, and Staley’s defensive acumen, New Orleans could be setting the foundation for a successful new era.
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