According to a report by Ian Rapoport, the Atlanta Falcons have announced Saints co-defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen as their new defensive coordinator. Atlanta completed an interview with Nielsen on Tuesday for their defensive coordinator job after Falcons defensive coordinator Dean Pees retired on January 9th after spending 18 seasons coaching in the NFL. It took just a few days later for Nielsen to officially be hired by the Saints division rivals.
Nielsen’s Tenure in New Orleans:
Nielsen began his coaching career in New Orleans in 2017 and spent the last six years with the team. His only job has been with the Saints as he was first hired as a defensive line coach with team. LSU tried to hire the defensive line coach away from the Saints, but New Orleans swooped in to offer him a contract extension. Nielsen would also serve as the Saints assistant head coach in 2021 under Sean Payton and would move into a co-defensive coordinator role as Dennis Allen was promoted to be the head coach position with Payton stepping away from the organization.
Since Nielsen has been with the Saints, New Orleans ranks third in the league in sacks with 233. Between the 2017-20 seasons, New Orleans went an NFL-record 55 regular season and postseason games without allowing a 100-yard rusher. Nielsen helped the Saints rank in the top ten in the league in sacks and they have finished in the top five in run defense the last four campaigns. Throughout his tenure with the Saints, the defensive line saw an uptick in production as he was able to be active in play calls.
Heading into this previous season, Allen promoted Nielsen and Kris Richard to the co-defensive coordinator role last January. With Nielsen leaving New Orleans, it is looking like Richard will be the team’s defensive coordinator, barring he doesn’t depart for another opportunity.
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