Just hired on Tuesday and officially introduced on Thursday, newly hired New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore is looking to fill out his coaching staff.
A few positions have already been filled. Former assistant Brendan Nugent returns as the new offensive line coach. Keith Williams remains from the previous staff as WR coach. Chase Haslett, son of former Saints coach Jim Haslett, was hired as TE coach.
New Orleans has not made any defensive hirings yet. However, they've requested interviews with some perspective candidates.
The New Orleans search for an offensive coordinator also continues. There are some names that have been affiliated with Kellen Moore in the past that are frontrunners for different positions.
One possible candidate that won't be interviewed is an assistant from a bitter division rival.
On Friday evening, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported that the Saints had requested an interview with Atlanta Falcons TE coach Kevin Koger for their offensive coordinator spot.
Rapoport went on to report that Koger declined the opportunity to speak with New Orleans.
Last season with Atlanta was Koger's first with the team. Prior to that, he was the TE coach for the Chargers from 2021 to 2023. If you'll remember, Kellen Moore was the Chargers offensive coordinator in 2023.
Koger, 35, was a collegiate tight end at Michigan from 2008 to 2011. In four years with the Wolverines, he caught 59 passes for 756 yards and 9 touchdowns. He was on the John Mackey Award watch list while at Michigan and won All-Big Ten honorable mention as a senior.
While working out for the 2012 NFL Draft, Koger ruptured his Achilles. He wouldn't be selected in the draft and started his coaching career the following year.
For undisclosed reasons, Koger declined an interview with the Saints despite previous ties to Kellen Moore.
Moore has indicated that he'll call the offensive plays on game day. However, the Saints will still need to fill the offensive coordinator position along with several other assistant spots on both sides of the ball.
