Report: New Orleans Saints have made a decision at offensive coordinator

The New Orleans Saints have been scouring the coaching landscape in search of their next offensive coordinator, and it looks like they’ve found them. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Saints will stick with current offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael.

“ Important news for the #Saints: Pete Carmichael will stay as the offensive coordinator, source said. The team did several OC interviews, but came back to the best option being on their staff. More continuity in NO for coach Dennis Allen,” wrote Rapoport via Twitter.

As pointed out, keeping Carmichael helps keep continuity for a New Orleans team dealing with the loss of another veteran voice in the locker room with former head coach Sean Payton. Carmichael has been the Saints’ offensive coordinator for the past 13 seasons. But this upcoming season will be his time to shine as it will be his first time fully calling the offense. Payton would handle the bulk of the play-calling responsibilities while the head coach.

More on Dennis Allen, New Orleans Saints

New Saints head coach Dennis Allen brings 20 years of NFL experience to the job, including the past seven seasons with the Saints. He was also a defensive line and secondary coach in New Orleans from 2006-10.

This isn’t his first chance at a head coaching gig, as he was previously the Oakland Raiders head man from 2012-14. He compiled a 8-28 record before being fired after an 0-4 start to the 2014 season.

A Texas A&M alumnus, Allen served as a graduate assistant with the Aggies from 1996-99. He entered the NFL in 2002 as a defensive quality control coordinator with the Atlanta Falcons and has also served on the Denver Broncos coaching staff as defensive coordinator.

Allen has big shoes to fill as the Saints next head coach. Sean Payton finished with a 152-89 record in his 15 seasons in New Orleans. He helped lead the franchise to its first-ever Super Bowl victory in 2010.

The Saints finished this past season 9-8, narrowly missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016. They have the No. 18 pick in the upcoming NFL draft, set to begin April 28.