4 reasons why the Saints defense will improve in 2017
![PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 11: Delvin Breaux #40 of the New Orleans Saints reacts after making an interception in the end zone during the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles during a game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 11, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images) PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 11: Delvin Breaux #40 of the New Orleans Saints reacts after making an interception in the end zone during the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles during a game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 11, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fwhodatdish-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F06-2F492269978-new-orleans-saints-v-philadelphia-eagles-jpg-850x560-4b3cce226df49e21576966d8c344a743.jpg)
New Coaches
The New Orleans Saints this past offseason just about cleaned house in regards to the coaching staff. On defense, they kept Defensive Coordinator, Dennis Allen, but made changes throughout the position groups. The Saints showed everyone watching that this team is serious about making improvements, which started with this. If the Saints want to improve defensively, it’ll come in part with this new coaching staff.
For any team in the National Football League to spell success, it takes a lot of things. Having a proper, functional coaching staff in the NFL is one of the major keys to success. Your team could have the best players in the league defensively wise, but if the athletes aren’t properly coached, the team was doomed to fail from the very beginning.
I applaud the New Orleans Saints for trying to find the right combination of the coaching staff for the athletes. Let’s take a look at what the Saints coaching staff, pertaining to the defense, looks like as of right now.
Defense: 2017 -18
Dennis Allen – Defensive Coordinator
Peter Giunta – Senior Defensive Assistant
Aaron Glenn – Secondary
Ryan Nielsen – Defensive Line
Mike Nolan – Linebackers
Marcus Ungaro – Defensive Assistant
In regards to what coaches the New Orleans Saints has right now, the team is a lot better off.
Aaron Glenn
Let’s start off with second-year secondary coach Aaron Glenn, who actually played for the New Orleans Saints during his career. In his career as an athlete in the National Football League, Aaron Glenn played from 1994 – 2008. Unfortunately, Glenn’s time in New Orleans was short-lived due to injury, but it’s great to see a former NFL corner himself teaching Saints athletes everything he knows.
Mike Nolan
One of the coaches who looks to make an immediate upgrade to the team is Saints new linebacker coach, Mike Nolan. Nolan, despite being with several teams, has a unique way of connecting to the athletes he teaches. He focuses directly on what specifically allows each athlete to succeed in regards to learning. His unique approach should hopefully spell success for the Saints.
Ryan Nielsen
For the defensive line, the Saints have former North Carolina State defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen. Nielsen served his tenure with North Carolina State from 2013 – 2016. In his time with the College, North Carolina State’s defensive line ranked among one of the best. The team at the time lead the ACC with allowing only 104.7 rushing yards per game.