USAT: Saints Wire audio clip

USAT: Saints Wire

Feb 1, 2022

- - - - The Colts will interview on Monday and Tuesday for DC: - – Gus Bradley, defensive coordinator, Raiders – Joe Whitt, Jr., secondary coach, Cowboys – Kris Richard, DBs coach, Saints - — Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) January 31, 2022 - - - It’s a new month, and New Orleans Saints defensive backs coach Kris Richard has gotten an interview with another team in pursuit of a defensive coordinator gig. After meeting with and getting passed over by the Baltimore Ravens (who hired Michigan Wolverines defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald to step in for Wink Martindale), Richard interviewed for the same job with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who need a new coordinator after Keith Butler’s retirement. And he isn’t going to wait on Pittsburgh to call him back after that meeting. - Per Joel Erickson of the Indianapolis Star, Richard is one of three new candidates for the opportunity to replace Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus (who was recently hired as Chicago Bears head coach). He’s up against Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Gus Bradley and Dallas Cowboys secondary coach Joe Whitt Jr., as well as former Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz — lately working as a senior defensive assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles — and former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Joe Cullen. The full lineup of coaches in consideration for the job can be found here, over at Colts Wire. - But as for Richard: his return to coaching in 2021 with New Orleans may have been brief. He was overqualified to work as a position coach, having previously called his own shots as a coordinator with the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys, and he deserves the opportunity to do that again. Which is why he’s taking so many interviews with other teams. - Holding onto Richard would be great. He coached Marshon Lattimore up into the best year of his career, and helped Paulson Adebo start 17 games as a rookie third round draft pick. It’s possible the Saints could work out a compromise to retain him, like promoting Dennis Allen to head coach and boosting Richard into his spot as defensive coordinator, but he wouldn’t likely have any more in-game responsibilities than he does now in that arrangement. Whatever the case, it doesn’t feel like he’s long for New Orleans. Let’s see how this situation develops. - - List - - 6 Saints head coach candidates to replace Sean Payton - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Saints Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Saints Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

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