With the Saints struggling this season to score points all issues and problems point to one man and that is longtime Saints Offensive Coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. This team has a plethora of offensive weapons that is being misused on a consistent basis. So on this collaborative effort to go along with my list of potential candidates I have teamed up with Tre Johnson (host of No Disrespect But...) and Calvin Rhines (former co host of THE HIT). Up first will be Tre's list.
Tre's OC List:
Ronald Curry, Saints QBs Coach
Coach Curry is in his 7th year with the Saints and currently in his 3rd year as QB Coach. One of the fastest rising OC prospects (served as OC for Senior Bowl, interviewed for Bucs OC position) the former standout QB at UNC could bring some modernization to this mundane
Saints offense.
Kliff Kingsbury, former Cardinals HC
The former Arizona HC is currently the QB Coach for the USC Trojans. During his tenure as HC in Arizona, the team went 28-37-1 (one playoff berth) and finished top 10 in yardage two of his seasons at the helm. A disciple of the Mike Leach Air Raid system, Kingsbury could bring an interesting dynamic to an offense that touts; Michael Thomas, Chris Olave, Alvin Kamara and the explosive Rasheed Shaheed. Also if you end up with a young QB, you get a guy who helped mold Baker Mayfield, Patrick Mahomes, and Kyler Murray.
Darrell Bevell, Miami Dolphins QB Coach
Bevell is currently the QB Coach and Pass Game Coordinator for the Miami Dolphins. Bevell has a long history as an OC having served in the position for the Vikings (06-10), Seahawks (11-17), Lions (2019-2020) and Jaguars (2021). Of course he's known for the decision to throw the ball at the one yard line during the Super Bowl, but he can be equally credited for the resurgence in Dolphins QB, Tua Tagovailoa, who is having an MVP campaign in 2023 so far.
Ryan Grubb, Washington Huskies OC
Going back into the college well with Washington Huskies OC, Ryan Grubb. If there is one thing a Grubb offense will do well, it's score the darn ball! Last season, the Huskies had the highest scoring % for Power 5 schools, and in year two with Heisman hopeful and potential Saints draft pick, Michael Penix Jr., they are on track to be even better.
Calvin's OC List
Ryan Grubb, Washington Huskies OC
Washington currently has the number one offense in college football. He also is their quarterbacks coach, and has Michael Penix playing at a Heisman level (potential Saints draft pick). You can argue that the competition that they face isn’t that good but Ryan Grubb is a younger, not extremely known coach. I’m a firm believer that that is exactly what the Saints should be trying to obtain. Taking a chance on a younger fresh mind. Grubb is probably the most unproven on this list but that is what intrigues me the most. I believe you can’t have success without rolling the dice a little bit, and I think Grubb is worth the dice roll. To make it sweeter, he was Jake Haener‘s offensive coordinator at Fresno State from 2019-2021. If the Saints decide to roll with Haener in the future having his college coach would make him feel way more comfortable.
Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions OC
The Lions are quickly becoming a Darling team in the NFL. The once laughing stock of the NFL is now becoming a serious powerhouse offensively. Thanks to the direction of Ben Johnson. Before being elevated to passing game coordinator last year, and now the offensive coordinator, Detroit ranked bottom six in offensive stats. I consider Johnson to be one of the new aged offensive coordinators that in my eyes, the Saints must go towards. Johnson Is a roller as well who isn’t afraid to take chances and is far from a conservative coach. Ben Johnson can also be considered a Head Coach candidate as well for the Saints.
Frank Smith, Miami Dolphins OC
This can be an Andy Reid and Eric Bieniemy Situation. Mike McDaniel is an offensive guru but let’s not count out Frank Smith. I believe that Frank Smith has been an under the radar reason for their success on offense. But there’s an underlying reason for why I have him up here as well. Frank Smith’s NFL coaching career actually started with the Saints in 2010 as an offensive line coach. Under his direction, the Saints had two offensive lineman, chosen to the pro bowl in 2012. We know Mickey Loomis and company love to hire people with connections to the Saints in their golden age. Frank Smith is taking notes under an offensive genius like Mike McDaniel so I believe that he can bring that offense, or at least a style of it to this stale Saints team. If the Saints decide to go in another direction with the offensive line, you best believe Frank Smith can also hold that area down.
Brian Johnson, Eagles OC
Do I even need to explain this one? The work Brian Johnson has done with the Eagles has been remarkable, and in my eyes, Mike McDaniel, Ben Johnson, and him are top five offensive minds in the NFL. There’s a running theme with my selections, and that’s being younger or being less experienced. Brian is obviously experienced but he is younger. I’m a firm believer that the Saints need to transition to more modern offense and stray away from the West Coast just a little bit and get a mobile quarterback. We don’t have to have a Jalen hurts, but this upcoming draft class of quarterbacks has plenty of mobile talent. I believe that Brian Johnson could do damage with any of these young qbs coming out in this year’s draft. Brian Johnson can also be considered a head coaching candidate for the Saints.
Will Stein, Oregon Ducks OC
Will Stein has the Oregon ducks rolling with the number two offense in the country. Much like Ryan Grubb this could be the Pac 12 offensive trap. But making Bo Nix look like a Heisman candidate should be enough reason to at least consider him for an NFL job. Obviously, he is good with quarterbacks, and so far Derek Carr has been underwhelming, and is looking like merely a very expensive placeholder. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Saints end up with a Bo Nix, who would be stepping into an already star studded offense. To make his transition to the NFL smoother why not bring on his very successful offensive coordinator?!
Mike Denbrock, LSU Tigers OC
This one’s for all the homers reading this. Denbrock has got the LSU Tigers offense cooking and has Jayden Daniels, who is another quarterback the Saints could end up with in this year’s draft, looking like a Heisman candidate, more so than any quarterback I’ve mentioned in this. LSU’s offense is stellar with less wide receiver and running back talent than they’ve had in the past in my opinion. That’s not to say they’re bad I just don’t think they’re as good, but the offense is way better. Daniels is of course a big reason for that, So what better way to have a fairytale ending than to have an LSU quarterback, lead the Saints and an LSU offensive coordinator to lead the Saints offense.
Logan's List
Liem Coen, Kentucky Wildcats OC
The trend right now in the NFL is trending towards the younger play callers. One that comes to mind off the bat is current Kentucky Wildcats OC Liam Coen. Coen has been coaching since 2010, but really made his bones coaching underneath Rams HC Sean McVay in 2018. He left the Rams in 2020 and became the Wildcats' OC in 2021. He played a pivotal role in the development of Titans QB Will Levis while at Kentucky. While being the lead play caller, the Wildcats have been ranked fairly high in total offense in FBS. When Dennis Allen took over the Head Coach role, Coen did interview for the position but declined. Maybe this go around will be different.
Zac Robinson, Rams QBs Coach/PGC
Another Sean McVay disciple. Zac Robinson played QB in the NFL a few years before getting into the coaching profession. He is currently a coach with the Rams. With coaches being hired elsewhere he has climbed the ladder in that Rams building. As a QBs coach on top of being the current Passing Game Coordinator i think Robinson is ready to be lead play caller and as a former NFL QB I think he wouldn't have any issues making the transition.
Tanner Engstrand, Lions PGC
The Lions since Ben Johnson took over as the play caller has been a top offense in the NFL. The Lions run the offense the Saints wish they could run. While Ben Johnson may be off to be a HC in the next cycle the Saints could benefit by looking to his Passing Game Coordinator. Tanner Engstrand is no stranger to being a play caller as he was an Offensive Coordinator twice over. Once at San Diego under Jim Harabaugh and once more in the XFL 2.0 for the DC Defenders. Engstrand could come in an implement a similar scheme to what the Lions run.
Sherrone Moore, Michigan Wolverines OC/OL Coach
The Michigan offense has been ranked amongst the best each year in total offense. The offense that the Wolverines run is a very balanced attack. The use of their RBs and the way they attack the middle of the field with their passing attack is something the Saints need in a play caller. Moore is also no slouch as an offense line coach. Under his direction, the Michigan Wolverines' offensive line has won back to back Joe Moore Awards being ranked as the top offensive line each year. Saints could also benefit from going to the younger coaches as a lead play caller and Moore fits the bill.
Press Taylor, Jacksonville Jaguars OC
Press Taylor is someone who Doug Pederson coveted soon as he took the Jaguars job. Doug has allowed to be the lead play caller for the Jags for the first time in 2023. He has been an assistant under Doug Pederson since their Eagles days in which they won a Super Bowl. The Jaguars offense seems to be very balanced this year and Trevor Lawrence seems to look on the cusp of being elite. Taylor could come to New Orleans and takeover an offense that is desperate for something more vertical and less predictable. His utilization of Travis Etienne is how Alvin Kamara should and could be used under his leadership as a play caller. He is an up-and-comer and is also again on the younger side.
Epilogue
Huge thanks to both Tre and Calvin for contributing on this article. Be sure to follow both of them on Twitter (X): Tre is @futurenbagov and Calvin is @CalveyKid57. Once again, huge thanks to the both of them. Don't forget to check out the Sports Etouffee YouTube show as well, just search the title "Sports Etouffee" hit that subscribe button and be sue to share it. Thanks for reading, and do not forget to also follow me and them on social media.
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