Another offensive coordinator candidate has been lost by the New Orleans Saints. Dan Pitcher, the quarterback coach for the Cincinnati Bengals, will become the offensive coordinator today, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport. Pitcher takes over for Brian Callahan, who left to become the Tennessee Titans’ new head coach.
Pitcher conducted one virtual interview with New Orleans last week, and it was said that they would meet with him in person on Thursday. The 37-year-old Pitcher was highly sought after by the NFL to serve as offensive coordinator.
Pete Carmichael, the offensive coordinator for the Saints, was fired last week. Carmichael served as the offensive coordinator for 15 of his 18 seasons with the franchise. Additionally, the contracts of senior offensive assistant Bob Bicknell and WR coach Kodi Burns were terminated by the Saints. Joel Thomas, the team’s running back coach, departed to take a similar job with the New York Giants.
Pitcher is the second player the Saints have expressed interest in, but he chose to take a job with another organization. Earlier this week, former offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks Shane Waldron took a similar role with the Chicago Bears.
Additionally, the 49ers passing game coordinator Klint Kubiak, 49ers QB coach Brian Griese, Steelers QB coach Mike Sullivan, Rams QB coach Zac Robinson, and Texans QB coach Jerrod Johnson have all been interviewed by the Saints. Earlier this week, Ronald Curry—an offensive assistant for New Orleans since 2016—went through an interview process for the possible internal promotion. Curry has spent the last three seasons coaching the team’s quarterback.
In 2023, New Orleans finished 14th in total offense and ninth in points scored. The team’s 11th-ranked passing attack was led by starting quarterback Derek Carr. When it came to rushing production, the Saints were merely 21st. Following a difficult start to the season, they averaged 28.8 points per game during their last six games and were ranked 18th in red zone efficiency.
