Following a difficult season in New Orleans, the Saints decided to make a coaching move. On Tuesday, the Saints fired offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael.
Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network first reported the news of the major coaching change in New Orleans.
“A major offensive shakeup: The Saints are moving on from OC Pete Carmichael,” Rapoport posted. The NFL Network insider posted the news on X, the website formerly known as Twitter.
A major offensive shakeup: The #Saints are moving on from OC Pete Carmichael, per me and @TomPelissero, changing their offense for the first time since 2009.
Head coach Dennis Allen needs a new offensive coordinator. pic.twitter.com/YibwJPVz1a
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 16, 2024
Later, ESPN’s Adam Schefter added on. It wasn’t only Carmichael who got the boot. The Saints also let several other offensive coaches go. Bob Bicknell (Sr. Offensive Assistant) and Kodi Burns (Wide Receivers Coach) will also part ways with the team.
Saints Offensive Coordinator Pete Carmichael, Senior Offensive Assistant Bob Bicknell, and Wide Receivers Coach Kodi Burns are all officially out in New Orleans.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 16, 2024
Carmichael was one of the longest-tenured assistant coaches in the league. He joined the Saints all the way back in 2009 to serve as their offensive coordinator. It couldn’t have started off better for him, as the Saints won Super Bowl 44 that season. Their offense was electric that season and is widely regarded as the best season in team history for obvious reasons.
But lately, things have stalled out. A poor effort this season on offense was unusual for Saints fans used to the usual buzzing and prodigious offenses they saw at the Superdome over the years. This season was one of their worst in recent memory. So, a change was deemed necessary.
For the Saints’ sake, this helps correct some of the present issues. The worst case, of course, is that this is just the beginning.
