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PRE-GAME ENTERTAINMENT
Color Guard Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard
American Flag Unveiling Saints Season Ticket Holders
Saints Flags Unveiling Saints Season Ticket Holders
NATIONAL ANTHEM KAREN WALDRUP
Louisiana native Karen Waldrup is an internationally known Country Soul singer, BMI songwriter and winner of 12 Nashville Industry Music Awards. In 2019, she received the Torch Award from the Keith Whitley Fingerprint on Country Music Awards. In 2023, Waldrup was named as one of the Top Five Artists to Watch by Country Evolution. She was a Top Five Finalist on Season 25 of NBC's The Voice and has been featured in Rolling Stone Magazine, People Magazine, Netflix, The Hallmark Channel, Bravo TV, Facebook Artist of the Day, NASCAR ESPN Live, the NFL Experience Super Bowl XLVII, CMT, Fox, Military.com and hundreds of other outlets worldwide. Check out her latest single “Louisiana Hurricane” or follow her on Instagram @karenwaldrupmusic.
CHAMPIONS SQUARE ENTERTAINMENT
SOUL REBELS
Tickets can be purchased through the end of the third quarter at the Caesars Superdome or at Saints5050raffle.com
50% of the proceeds of tonight’s 50/50 Raffle will benefit the Brees Dream Foundation, in honor of QB Drew Brees' induction into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame. The foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life for cancer patients, and providing care, education and opportunities for children and families in need.
Brass sensation The Soul Rebels started with an idea–to expand upon the pop music they loved on the radio and the New Orleans brass tradition they grew up on. The eight-member collective frequently appears on major record label releases with star artists including Sony Music artist G-Eazy’s single ‘When You’re Gone” featuring Lil Wayne, Def Jam artist Dave East and Nas’“Godfather 4”, Big Freedia and Icona Pop’s “Pipe That” and Warner Music Group artist Phony Ppl’s new album. The Soul Rebels have scored original music for Walt Disney’s 2023 movie Haunted Mansion, appeared on the official soundtrack for Universal Pictures' hit comedy Girls Trip, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, were featured on NPR's Tiny Desk series with Wu Tang Clan front man GZA, and headlined the global TED Conference. Their latest album release, Poetry In Motion (2024) has received national attention and the group continues to expand their international reach, touring throughout Europe, Australia, China, South Korea and Japan. Their explosive stage presence has led to live collaborations with the likes of Katy Perry, Nas, G-Eazy, DMX, Robin Thicke, Macy Gray, Portugal. The Man, Robert Glasper, Pretty Lights, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Matisyahu and most notably their new supergroup with the legendary Wu Tang Clan. The Soul Rebels continue to chart new territory and are respected for their ability to combine topnotch musicianship with songs that celebrate peace, love and soul.
IN-GAME ENTERTAINMENT
Gumbo
Sir Saint
Storyville Jazz Band
Saints Cheer Krewe
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
People’s Health Champion
Entergy Lineman: Powering Saints Nation
Community Coffee Military Moment
HALFTIME DREW BREES SAINTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY
LEGEND OF THE GAME LB SCOTT FUJITA
At halftime, QB Drew Brees will be honored in front of a sold-out crowd as the newest member of the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame. Originally a second round draft pick (32nd overall) of the San Diego Chargers in 2001 out of Purdue, the Austin, Texas native signed with New Orleans in 2006 as an unrestricted free agent and played a significant role in the transformation of the franchise into a perennial playoff contender and Super Bowl XLIV Champion. Brees’ record as a starter for the Saints was 151-94 (61.6 pct) in the regular season and postseason combined, easily making him the winningest signal-caller in franchise history. Brees retired as the holder of virtually every passing record in club record books with his 15 years of service and 228 regular season starts for the Black and Gold, both the highest totals in the team’s history. Even after his retirement, Brees remains a community fixture in the Gulf South with his Brees Dream Foundation, expanding on its initial mission to improve the quality of life of cancer patients and provide care, education and opportunities for children facing adversity, to committing to enhance the lives of all people. In New Orleans, his ongoing efforts in support of the community have raised millions of dollars for numerous organizations, important causes and individuals in need. The grandson of a World War II veteran, Brees proudly participated in several USO tours. In addition to being selected as the co-recipient of the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2006, Brees was selected as the 2007 PFWA Arthur S. Arkush Humanitarian Award winner and has also received numerous regional honors for his important community efforts.
The first player signed by New Orleans in 2006 after the team was able to return to their base of operations following Hurricane Katrina, Fujita immediately immersed himself in the building back of the football team and the rebuilding process in the community. In four seasons, he played in 56 regular season games with 54 starts and recorded 417 tackles, 7.5 sacks, four interceptions, 18 passes defensed, eight forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. In five postseason games started/played, he added 31 stops and one fumble recovery, part of a defense that helped New Orleans reach the NFC Championship game in his first season with the club and in his final contest, the Black and Gold captured Super Bowl XLIV.
COMMUNITY CORNER
ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, SAINTS PLAYERS WERE TAKING PART IN SEVERAL IMPORTANT INITIATIVES THROUGHOUT THE NEW ORLEANS COMMUNITY.
As a kickoff to the NFL’s Crucial Catch month, emphasizing early detection of cancers and supporting those afflicted, safety Johnathan Abram, linebacker D’Marco Jackson and cornerback Alontae Taylor lifted the spirits of young patients and their families during a visit to Ochsner Health’s Center For Children.
Saints tight end Taysom Hill joined Louisiana Dental Center for a meet-and-greet with Louisiana State University Dentistry School students. Hill met with the dental students and their families as they continue their studies in various aspects of the profession. As part of the afternoon event, Louisiana Dental Center made a donation to the LSU School of Dentistry to support minority students in their efforts to complete their education.
Gayle Benson provides leadership for the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans. She succeeds her husband, Tom Benson, who passed away on March 15, 2018, after serving as Owner of the Saints since 1985 and the Pelicans since 2012. The New Orleans native is an accomplished business professional and philanthropist with strong ties to the local community and is dedicated to contributing to the growth and enhancement of the Gulf South region.
Mr. and Mrs. Benson worked together to build model NFL and NBA organizations, housed in stateof-the-art facilities at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center, Caesars Superdome and Smoothie King Center, while making a positive impact in the community.
With the Saints franchise under the guidance of Mr. and Mrs. Benson, the team has reached new heights since 2006, when they entrusted Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis to set the direction for the organization, responding by making important coaching hires and continually supplementing and upgrading the roster through the draft, free agency and trades. Since then, the franchise has reached its highest point of success, posting a 184-124 record from 2006-23, featuring 11 winning seasons, nine playoff berths, seven division titles, three NFC Championship appearances and the Super Bowl XLIV title.
In Mrs. Benson’s first six seasons of ownership, New Orleans has posted five winning campaigns, three consecutive NFC South division titles (2018-20) and reached the 2018 NFC Championship game. No NFC team has matched the Saints’ 33 regular season road victories since 2018. Their 63 regular season wins are first in the NFC during the six-season period. 15 different Saints players have received a combined 32 Pro Bowl selections and nine separate players over the past six seasons have received Associated Press All-Pro honors.
The Caesars Superdome will complete a five-year, $560 million, multiple-phase transformation for the 2024 Saints season, as it retains its standing as one of the world’s most iconic multipurpose facilities on the eve of hosting Super Bowl LIX on February 9, 2025. The Caesars Superdome has been sold out on
GAYLE BENSON OWNER
a season ticket basis for every campaign since 2006, with a waiting list of over 73,000 and 182 consecutive sellouts for contests played at the venue through the 2023 campaign. The team’s Ochsner Sports Performance Center, one of the most cutting edge practice facilities in the NFL, is in the midst of a one-year project featuring the construction a brand-new cafeteria and renovation of the draft room and weight room.
Following in the footsteps of her late husband, who played a significant role in the City of New Orleans hosting five Super Bowls during his ownership and wielded extensive influence and respect among fellow NFL owners with a 25-year tenure as Chairman of the Finance Committee, Mrs. Benson has become instrumental with her leadership in important league issues, serving on the Audit, Business Ventures and Hall of Fame Committees, as well as the Social Justice Working Group. She served as a key voice in securing New Orleans’ bid to host Super Bowl LIX, which will mark the 11th time the Crescent City will serve as a host, tying with Miami for the most Super Bowls by a host city. The economic impact of Super Bowl XLVII, played in 2013, which Mr. Benson successfully campaigned for, was $480 million for the greater New Orleans region, not to mention the exposure and charitable contributions that the National Football League makes during Super Bowl week that extends for generations. Mrs. Benson remains committed to bringing future Super Bowls to New Orleans.
Immediately upon Mr. and Mrs. Benson’s purchase of the former Hornets franchise from the NBA in 2012, construction began on a state-of-the-art basketball practice facility to house the entire organization together, while also rebranding as the Pelicans. Through agreements with the State of Louisiana upon the 2012 purchase, the Smoothie King Center has seen renovations, featuring a new center-hung HD scoreboard, which debuted in 2015, along with several additional fan upgrades. Through this commitment, NBA All-Star Weekend was awarded to New Orleans in 2014 and 2017, making the city one of just seven current NBA markets to host the mid-season event at least three times. Active in league affairs, Mrs. Benson, serves as a member of the NBA’s Labor Relations Committee and was named to the NBA Foundation Board of Directors in 2020. As a board member, she is constantly an advocate for the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana. Since her 2020 addition, distributions by the foundation have benefited numerous deserving New Orleans nonprofits.
Mrs. Benson oversaw a significant overhaul of the Pelicans in 2019 when she hired Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin and committed to significant upgrades to the Ochsner Sports Performance Center’s basketball facilities. Through the support of these organizational improvements by Mrs. Benson,
combined with several important player acquisitions through the draft, free agency and trades and the hiring of Head Coach Willie Green, the Pelicans have established a solid foundation, reaching the 2023-24 playoffs.
Community investment and giving back have been hallmarks of Mr. and Mrs. Benson’s ownership of the Saints and Pelicans. This tradition continues under Mrs. Benson’s stewardship, sharing her late husband’s vision and passion for helping others. She has further enriched the New Orleans community through her support to causes in the health and wellness, cancer care, education, arts and faith-based sectors.
As dedicated corporate citizens, the Saints and Pelicans annually put millions of dollars back into the community in financial support, in-kind donations, charitable appearances and donations of goods and services. Mrs. Benson’s philanthropic leadership has been recognized far and wide since becoming Owner.
Mrs. Benson has always quickly responded and taken action to conditions that affect the local community adversely. With the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Ida providing multiple challenges to the New Orleans area and its citizens over a two-year period, Mrs. Benson donated over $2 million, partnering with the Greater New Orleans Foundation to assist local organizations and individuals in need to help the region and its residents recover from difficult circumstances.
In 2020, utilizing the platform of the Saints and Pelicans to harness the unifying power of sport to advance race relations across both the Gulf South and the country, she formed the Social Justice Leadership Alliance to advocate for issues of change in minority communities.
In 2014, Mrs. Benson was honored by the New Orleans Council for Community and Justice with its Weiss Award, recognizing achievement for exceptional civic and humanitarian contributions. In 2015, the couple were honored by the regional chapter of the Anti-Defamation League with the A.I. Botnick Torch of Liberty Award. In 2018, she and Mr. Benson (posthumously) were honored by two of the city’s leading higher education institutions. They received a Dermot McGlinchey Lifetime Achievement Award from Tulane University, honoring those who have demonstrated service, volunteer involvement and commitment to Tulane and their hometown communities and were inducted into the University of New Orleans’ Hall of Distinction.
In 2019, Mrs. Benson received several important honors. She was honored by Xavier University of Louisiana with the Sister Maris Stella “Women of Faith” Award and was recognized by the UNCF with the group’s MASKED Award for her support of educational opportunities for all. Additionally, Mrs. Benson was honored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl Chapter of the National Football Foundation/College Football Hall of Fame with its Dis-
tinguished American Award. The National World War II Museum selected her as an American Spirit Medallion recipient. The Greater New Orleans Foundation also honored Mrs. Benson with the organization’s Spark Plug Award, given to an individual whose philanthropy in the greater New Orleans community has been exemplary.
In 2021, Mrs. Benson was presented by the University of Holy Cross with its Spes Unica Award, the educational institution’s highest honor, based on her support of the university’s mission to educate both the mind and heart. She was the Times-Picayune’s 2021 Loving Cup award winner, an honor which has been presented since 1901 to men and women who have performed exemplary service to the community without expecting material recognition.
In 2022, Mrs. Benson was recognized by the local charity, Clover, as a co-recipient of the Reverend Beverley Warner Ward, for her extensive work with the non-profit whose mission is to educate children, strengthen families and build community. Mrs. Benson was honored by the American Cancer Society’s Louisiana Chapter with their 2022 Heart & Soul Award for her constant support in the fight against cancer through the services provided to cancer patients, families and caregivers at Ochsner’s Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center. She was also recognized by the Southeast Louisiana Council, Boy Scouts of America with their 2022 “Distinguished Citizen” Award.
In 2023, Mrs. Benson was honored as a “Louisiana Legend” by Louisiana Public Broadcasting for distinguishing herself in the sports field and through her philanthropy. Realizing the need for the commitment to people with disabilities by her sports organizations and business ventures, whether enhancing their fan experience or providing employment opportunities/support, she was selected for the 2023 Human Highlight Never Moment Award by the KultureCity organization. With Mrs. Benson’s encouragement, the Saints became a founding partner of the HBCU Legacy Bowl all-star game held in New Orleans, establishing financial support for the contest and its week of events, which includes hosting a scouting combine for participants at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center and a career fair for both players and HBCU students. The career fair attracts over 100 regional and national employers to help provide opportunities and networking for HBCU students. In recognition of her support of the events, Mrs. Benson received the 2023 Black College Football Hall of Fame Founders Award. Mrs. Benson was also inducted into the Louisiana Center for Women in Government & Business (LCWGB) Hall of Fame alongside former Louisiana first lady, Donna Edwards. Mrs. Benson also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the LCWGB, which recognized her remarkable achievements in business and her unwavering generosity toward various causes across the state of Louisiana. In 2024, at Washington Mardi Gras, Mrs. Benson received the Humanitarian of the Century Award from U.S. Senator John Kennedy, which recognized her continuous philanthropic efforts throughout New Orleans, the state of Louisiana, and the Gulf South region.
In addition to serving on the boards of several local educational institutions and the New Orleans Museum of Art, Mrs. Benson is also a member of the Audubon Commission, which oversees the Audubon Nature Institute. Mrs. Benson has been a longtime trusted and valued member of the local Catholic community, reflecting her deep religious faith. She has worked tirelessly with the Archdiocese of New Orleans’ Catholic Charities organization and its umbrella agencies that feature almost 50 programs and three affiliated ministries. These organizations deliver health and human services to those in need in the eight Southeast Louisiana parishes, which the Archdiocese serves, as well as food and nutrition services throughout the state. Mrs. Benson has worked closely with St. Louis Cathedral’s Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) program. Currently, she is in the midst of leading an unprecedented effort to repair and restore the St. Louis Cathedral with the Our City, Our Cathedral campaign, which aims to restore the city’s most iconic building after suffering from nearly two centuries of wear and tear, water damage and settling. Mrs. Benson’s support of the Catholic Church has been recognized numerous times locally, nationally and on an international level. In 2002, she received the Medal of the Order of St. Louis Award for dedication to the Church. In 2010, she became an Honorary Oblate of Mary Immaculate and in recognition of longstanding support of Catholic education, Mr. and Mrs. Benson received the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award from the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA). In 2012, Mr. and Mrs. Benson received from Pope Benedict XVI the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice award, which recognizes outstanding service to the Church and the Pontiff, the highest Papal award granted to a lay person. She holds a leadership role after being inducted as Dame Commander with Star in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and is a commander of the Order of St. Lazarus, a confraternity of Christian faithful who profess their commitment to Jesus Christ. In February, she was recognized by FADICA, the leading Catholic philanthropic network of foundations and donors supporting Catholic activities and initiatives, with the Mary Magdalene Medal of Service, which recognizes someone who shares their time, talent and treasure with the Church. She was also the recipient of the Catholic Community Foundation’s 2024 St. John Paul II Award, a prestigious honor presented by the Archbishop and the foundation to an outstanding Catholic layperson who exhibits unwavering faith, inspirational generosity, and a deep commitment to the New Orleans community.
Mrs. Benson began her professional career in 1968 as a manager for a noted New York-based jeweler. She was responsible for overseeing and managing the daily operation of over 40 sales associates. She then branched out into real estate development, which allowed her to successfully integrate her passion for interior design with property management. Her first real estate transaction occurred in 1978 when she purchased a home in New Orleans’s Irish Channel and then sold the property eight months later after exten-
sive restoration. She would go on to purchase, manage and eventually sell numerous properties, primarily in the city’s Uptown district.
In 1975, Mrs. Benson began a 30-year design industry career where she achieved tremendous success. Throughout the course of her interior design career, she was recognized with numerous professional awards and served as an inaugural member on the Louisiana State Board of Licensing for Interior Designers for four years. She directed numerous major design efforts with her clients, including the Caesars Superdome (formerly Louisiana Superdome and Mercedes-Benz Superdome), several of the city’s most prestigious hotels, local supermarket chains, automobile dealerships, yachts and many others.
In 2000, Mrs. Benson worked with the Superdome on renovations to the iconic New Orleans landmark’s third and fourth level public spaces, in addition to renovations on select suites. She also owned and developed a commercial real estate building on the corner of Laura and Octavia Streets, a women’s clothing private enterprise called “Toujours la Ligne” and a designer’s showroom called “Designers Resource” which served as a wholesale location for designers and architects seeking to purchase fabric, wall coverings and accessories. The Men of Fashion Committee recognized Mrs. Benson as one of the “Ten Best Dressed Women in New Orleans” in 1983.
In addition to her ownership of the Saints and Pelicans, Mrs. Benson established GMB Racing Stables in 2014 with an initial purchase of seven colts and hiring three veteran trainers, all with Louisiana ties. In 2016, two of the thoroughbreds, Mo Tom and Tom’s Ready, participated in the Kentucky Derby. Another thoroughbred, Lone Sailor, ran in the 2018 Kentucky Derby and Preakness. She owns Benson Farm in Paris, Ky., a 1,000-acre farm with nearly 50 horses. As part of her passion for horse racing, she is a member of the esteemed Jockey Club of New York. Mrs. Benson also serves as Owner of seven automotive dealerships (Best Chevrolet, Cadillac of New Orleans, Mercedes-Benz of New Orleans, Mercedes-Benz Van Center, MercedesBenz of South Mississippi, Porsche New Orleans, Volkswagen of South Mississippi, Infiniti of South Mississippi), three premier collision centers across Mississippi and Louisiana, Benson Tower, Benson Capital Partners, Corporate Realty and is also a co-owner of the Hyatt Regency New Orleans.
Mrs. Benson was born in New Orleans and grew up in the Old Algiers section of the city. She began her education in Catholic schools and in 1966 graduated from Martin Behrman High School in Algiers. She received a Doctorate of Letters from Notre Dame Seminary in 2014. Serving as keynote speaker at their respective commencement ceremonies, Mrs. Benson has been awarded honorary degrees from University of Holy Cross (2015), Southern University of New Orleans (2021), Delgado Community College (2022) and an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Loyola University New Orleans (2019).
Mr. and Mrs. Benson married on October 29, 2004 at the Immaculate Conception Memorial Chapel.
Dennis Allen enters his third season leading the New Orleans Saints in 2024 after being named the 17th head coach in franchise history on February 8, 2022.
Now in his 29th year in coaching, 23rd in the NFL, including 14 with the Saints, Allen has played for, coached with and learned from some of the best coaches in all of football. He originally was recruited to play at Texas A&M by R.C. Slocum, where he also started his coaching career. In the NFL, he honed his skills serving on the Saints staff of Super Bowl XLIV champion head coach Sean Payton for 12 seasons and for two Super Bowl participants in John Fox and Dan Reeves.
During his 23 years of coaching in the NFL, Allen has worked with 16 players who have combined for 26 Pro Bowl selections and he has also coached two Associated Press NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year winners and three members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Allen’s defenses have consistently been among the most productive in the NFL in a number of categories, including scoring defense, total yards allowed and sacks. The team’s defensive play-caller since the middle of the 2015 season, the Saints are the only team in the National Football League to rank in the top ten in opponent points per game each of the past four seasons.
In 2023, Allen guided the Saints to win four of their last five games, as the team turned in a 9-8 performance, narrowly missing a playoff berth. New Orleans finished 5-3 at home, winning their last three at the Caesars Superdome, and captured their last three divisional contests, including convincing victories over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons to close the season.
Ranked eighth in the NFL in opponent points per game (19.2) and ninth in points per game (23.6), the Saints were one of five teams to finish in the top ten in both categories. New Orleans did not surrender a touchdown in four games, third in club history, including a 34-0 shutout at New England on Oct. 8, when the Saints became the only club to have three shutouts in the last three seasons. New Orleans also proved adept at both forcing turnovers and taking care of the ball, improving from -11 in 2022 to +11 in 2023 in turnover ratio, tied for third in the league.
In the final 13 weeks of the season, the offensive line surrendered only 20 sacks, the second-lowest total in the NFL, with center Erik McCoy named to his first Pro Bowl. In his first season in Black and Gold,
DENNIS ALLEN HEAD COACH
PLAYING CAREER: Texas A&M, 1992-95.
COACHING CAREER: Texas A&M, 1996-1999; Tulsa, 2000-01; Atlanta Falcons, 2002-05; New Orleans Saints, 2006-10; Denver Broncos, 2011; Oakland Raiders (Head Coach), 2012-14; New Orleans Saints 2015- (Head Coach since 2022).
quarterback Derek Carr completed 375-of-548 passes (68.4%) for 3,878 yards with 25 touchdowns to just eight interceptions and a 97.7 passer rating. Over the last six games, Carr was 131-of-176 (leaguebest 74.4 %) for 1,343 yards with an NFL-best 15 touchdowns, only three picks and a league-high 117.2 passer rating. The passing game was highlighted by further development from the second-year duo of Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. Olave led the team with 87 receptions for 1,123 yards and five touchdowns, and Shaheed caught 46 passes for 719 yards (15.6 avg.) with five scoring grabs.
In addition to finishing eighth in the NFL in scoring defense, New Orleans ranked first in opponent third down and short percentage (40.7) and passes defensed (99), tied for third in interceptions (18), ranked fourth in opponent third down percentage (34.5) and tenth in pass defense (207.3 ypg.). Linebacker Demario Davis led the team in tackles for the sixth consecutive season with 121 stops, tying a career-high first set in 2022 of 6.5 sacks, as he was selected to his second consecutive Pro Bowl and voted an AP All-Pro for the fifth consecutive season. Up front, defensive end Carl Granderson enjoyed a breakout campaign with a career-high and club-best 8.5 sacks. In the secondary, cornerback Paulson Adebo and safety Tyrann Mathieu tied for the team lead with four interceptions apiece. Adebo also led the team with six total takeaways and ranked third in the NFL with 18 passes defensed.
The club’s special teams units shined in 2023. Shaheed finished third in the NFL in punt return average (13.6), returning a punt 76 yards for a touchdown in Week Three, earning him a Pro Bowl selection and first-team AP All-Pro. The coverage units helped New Orleans finish first in the league in opponent punt return average (5.6), while giving the defense the second-best starting point after kickoffs (24.2).
In his first year as head coach of the Saints, Allen guided New Orleans through the challenge of significant injuries at virtually every position to win three of their last four games and gave up 20 or fewer points in the final eight contests of the season, ten points apiece in each of the final three contests.
Under Allen’s supervision, New Orleans ranked second in the NFL in pass defense (184.4 ypg.) fifth
in total defense (314.8 ypg.), tied for fifth in sacks (48), ranked sixth in opponent red zone touchdown percentage (50.0) and ninth in scoring defense (20.3 ppg.).
New Orleans posted shutouts in consecutive seasons for the first time since the 1991-92 campaigns. Davis and defensive end Cameron Jordan, who became the franchise’s all-time leader in sacks, were named to the Pro Bowl while Davis earned AP All-Pro honors.
Offensively, New Orleans improved nine or more spots in league rankings in net yards per game and net passing yards per game. The team’s top draft selection, Olave, earned PFWA All-Rookie recognition, as he led the team in receiving with 72 receptions for 1,042 yards. Running back Alvin Kamara led the Saints with 1,387 yards from scrimmage. Taysom Hill ranked second on the team in rushing with a career-high 575 yards and team-leading seven rushing touchdowns, adding two receiving scores for a club-best nine total touchdowns, while adding two scoring throws. Tight end Juwan Johnson tied for third at the position in the league with a club-best seven touchdown grabs on 42 receptions for 508 yards.
In 2021, his final season as defensive coordinator, Allen’s unit boasted two Pro Bowl selections (Jordan and cornerback Marshon Lattimore) and one AP All-Pro selection (Davis), ranked first in the NFL in opponent red zone touchdown percentage (43.5), second in opponent first downs (304) and opponent rushing first downs (84), fourth in scoring defense (19.7 ppg.), opponent net yards per play (5.08) and run defense (93.5 ypg.), seventh in total defense (318.2 ypg.) and eighth in sacks (46). New Orleans’ streak of 22 regular season/postseason contests without allowing a 100-yard rusher at the end of the season was the longest in the NFL. With 25 takeaways and a plus-seven turnover ratio, Allen’s defense was instrumental in leading the Saints to their fifth consecutive winning season. Allen handled Payton’s head coaching duties in a December 19, 9-0 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as Payton was sidelined due to COVID-19 protocols.
In 2020, the Saints defense boasted one of the league’s top units, finishing tied for first in interceptions (18), ranked fourth in opponent net yards per game (310.9) and opponent rushing yards per game (91.3), fifth in opponent net passing yards per game (217.0) and opponent points per game (21.1) and eighth in sacks (45). The 139 points given up on the road by New Orleans were the fewest in the NFL and the third-lowest total by the club since the
OWNERSHIP
start of a 16-game regular season schedule in 1978. New Orleans did not allow a 100-yard rusher until Week 14 of the season, marking an NFL record of 55 games (regular season/postseason combined) of not giving up 100 yards to an individual.
The 2019 Saints ranked third in the league in sacks, recording 51 takedowns, and finished fourth in run defense at 91.3 yards rushing per game. The sack total was the highest for the Saints since 2001. New Orleans also ranked sixth on third down (34.8 pct.) and 11th in total defense (333.1 ypg.). With two Pro Bowl starter selections on defense – Jordan and Lattimore and one AP first-team All-Pro – Davis – the Saints had two contests where they did not surrender a defensive touchdown for the first time since 2000. Jordan finished with a career-high 15.5 sacks, ranked third in the NFL and tied for the fourth-highest total in franchise history, also earning All-Pro honors. Davis filled up the stat sheet with a team-high 111 tackles, four sacks, one interception and a career-high 12 passes defensed.
In 2018, the Saints boasted the second-best run defense in the NFL, allowing just 80.2 rushing yards per game and 3.6 yards per carry. The defense also collared 49 sacks, which tied for fifth in the league. The New Orleans defense held its opponents to 20 points or less in ten games in 2018 and had a sixgame streak of keeping opponents under 20 for the first time since 2000. Jordan was selected to the Pro Bowl as an AP All-Pro in a season where he posted 12 sacks. Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins posted eight sacks in a breakout campaign, the most takedowns by a Saints interior defender since 2000. Davis, in his first season with the club, became only the fourth player in Saints history to record 110 tackles and five sacks in a season. Lattimore led the team with five regular season takeaways and added two more in the club’s postseason win over Philadelphia.
In 2017, Allen coordinated a Saints defense that finished third in the league in interceptions (20), tied for seventh in sacks (42) and ranked tenth in opponent points per game (20.4 ppg.) after ranking 31st in 2016. Away from home, New Orleans surrendered only 18.3 points per game, tied for sixth in the NFL, with their 146 road points given up tied for the fifth-lowest total by the club since the start of a 16-game schedule in 1978
Allen oversaw a defense that featured first-team All-Pro Jordan, who posted 13 sacks, and Lattimore, who led rookies with five interceptions and garnered AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, as both defenders earned Pro Bowl trips. Lattimore was the second rookie under Allen’s tutelage to capture league Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Rookie safety Marcus Williams, the club’s second round draft pick, joined Lattimore as a PFWA All-Rookie selection, tying for second among league rookies with four picks.
In 2016, a young Saints defensive unit took several strides in the right direction, surrendering only 90.6 rushing yards per game over the final 13 weeks of the season, ranked sixth in the NFL over that period. In fact, New Orleans allowed under 100 yards rushing in eight
games on the season, the fewest in a single season since they gave up seven in 2013. Jordan led the team with 7.5 sacks. Linebacker Craig Robertson started all 15 games he appeared in and filled up the stat sheet with a team-high and career-high 131 tackles, one sack, one interception, five passes defensed and two fumble recoveries.
After starting the 2015 season as the club’s senior defensive assistant, Allen assumed coordinator duties in Week 11. As New Orleans rallied to win three of their final four contests, Allen’s unit contributed to finishing strong as the defense surrendered 35.1 total net yards per game below the overall season average, including 25.1 fewer yards per game in stopping the run. New Orleans also held opponents to a season-low 17 points in two of the final four contests. Jordan was selected to his second Pro Bowl, as he recorded double-digit sacks (10) for the second time in his career.
Allen served as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders from 2012-14. In his second season, he guided a team that made significant improvement in several areas. Offensively, the Raiders ranked 12th in the NFL in rushing, improving 16 spots in league rankings from 2012 and sixth in yards per rush (4.6), improving 21 places in league rankings despite starting an NFLhigh eight offensive line combinations due to injury. The defense replaced nine starters, yet improved in several categories. The defense recorded 38 sacks, 13 more than 2012, and tied for second in the NFL with 15 different players getting to the quarterback. The rush defense improved five spots from 18th in the NFL in 2012 to 13th in 2013, as they limited opposing offenses to just five runs of 20-or-more yards, tied for the fewest in the league, and kept opponents to less than two yards per carry three times.
On special teams, the Raiders moved from the NFL’s bottom-third to first overall in opponent gross punting (41.7), ranked third in opponent net punting (37.0) and fourth in opponent kickoff returns (20.4).
Allen coached the first four games of the 2014 season for the Raiders, during which he helped usher in a pair of rookies that went on to enjoy impressive firstyear campaigns in Carr and linebacker Khalil Mack. The club’s pass defense ranked fourth in the NFL.
In 2011, Allen served as defensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos. He led a defense that helped the Broncos win the AFC West division crown and advance to the AFC Divisional round with an AFC Wild Card game victory. The Broncos’ 41 sacks as a team marked the unit’s most since 2000.
During Allen’s previous five-year tenure in New Orleans, he first served as assistant defensive line coach (2006-07) before being promoted to secondary coach (2008-10).
He was a part of a defensive coaching staff that engineered significant improvement from 2009-10, when the club went 24-8 in the regular season, qualified for the playoffs both times and captured Super Bowl XLIV. Under Allen’s direction in 2010, the Saints allowed an NFL-low 13 touchdown passes, while New Orleans ranked fourth in both opponent net yards per
game (306.3) and pass defense (193.9 ypg.) and fifth in opponent third down efficiency (34.5 pct.). Safety Roman Harper was selected to his second consecutive Pro Bowl, posting 100 tackles and three sacks, and cornerback Jabari Greer recorded two interceptions with one brought back for a touchdown.
In 2009, Allen tutored a secondary that played a key role in helping the Saints to the club’s first Super Bowl victory. A revamped unit accounted for an NFL-high five interception returns for touchdowns and totaled 21 picks with two starters being selected to the Pro Bowl. Opposing quarterbacks managed a meager 68.6 passer rating against the Saints, ranked third in the NFL. Greer returned one pick for a touchdown. Harper led the unit with a career-high 127 tackles and added 1.5 sacks and two forced fumbles while being selected to his first Pro Bowl. Cornerback Tracy Porter picked off quarterback Brett Favre and Peyton Manning in the fourth quarter in consecutive postseason contests, with his famous Super Bowl XLIV interception being brought back for a touchdown.
While serving as assistant defensive line coach from 2006-07, Allen helped develop a unit that ranked as one of the defense’s strengths. During that stretch, the front four combined for 49.5 sacks, ten forced fumbles and ten recoveries. Defensive end Will Smith was voted to his first Pro Bowl in 2006, posting a club-best 10.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.
Allen joined the Saints after a four-year stint with the Atlanta Falcons, where he spent his final two years as defensive assistant/quality control with an emphasis on working with the defensive line. Over the previous two seasons, he was in charge of defensive quality control while helping tutor the secondary.
Over his last two years in Atlanta, the Falcons’ defense was paced by the play of the front four. In 2004, Atlanta led the NFL for the first time in club history with 48 sacks and the unit sent defensive end Patrick Kerney to the Pro Bowl. In 2005 defensive tackle Rod Coleman represented the club in the Pro Bowl and the Falcons notched 37 sacks.
In 2002, Allen’s first year with the Falcons, he assisted in coaching the defensive backfield. Atlanta improved to 16th against the pass after ranking 30th the year before, and tied for third in the NFL with 24 interceptions.
Allen worked as the secondary coach for the University of Tulsa (2000-01) before heading to the NFL. Prior to his stint at Tulsa, Allen was on the coaching staff for four years (1996-99) at Texas A&M as a graduate assistant under Slocum, working primarily with the secondary.
A native of Hurst, Texas, Allen earned four letters for Texas A&M as a safety from 1992-95 and started the final 21 games of his career. A highlight was his fourth-quarter interception that clinched an 18-9 victory over Texas in 1993, sending the Aggies to their third-straight Cotton Bowl. He collected Southwest Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors after intercepting two passes in a 36-14 win over Oklahoma in 1994.
Allen was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Buffalo Bills and competed in their training camp in 1996. Allen’s late father, Grady, played at Texas A&M and was a linebacker for the Falcons from 1968-72. Allen and his wife Alisson have a daughter, Layla and a son, Garrison.
Dennis Lauscha, a native New Orleanian, has been a fan of the Saints since he was a young boy. He attended Jesuit High School and received degrees in Business, first from the University of Alabama, followed by an M.B.A. from Loyola University. Starting out his career as a C.P.A, Lauscha worked for a major global financial services firm before his decades long career with the Saints. He first joined the Saints in 1998 as Treasurer, and as a result of his hard work, loyalty and business acumen, Lauscha rose through the executive ranks to serve as Vice President, Senior Vice President and Executive Vice President before reaching his now esteemed post as President of both the Saints and Pelicans since 2012. In his role, he oversees the club’s financial operations, government affairs, marketing, ticket and suite sales, legal, stadium, community affairs, human resources, business intelligence and information technology and serves as a representative for both clubs at NFL and NBA Owners meetings.
In addition to his Saints and Pelicans duties, Lauscha holds multiple roles within Mrs. Benson’s business enterprises, maintaining a role in the management of her regional automotive dealerships and collision centers, Corporate Realty, GMB Racing, and Benson Capital Partners.
Lauscha’s collaborative style, financial acumen and long-term view has played a key role as a member of a contingent that has ne-
gotiated agreements for both the Saints and Pelicans with the state of Louisiana. These have resulted in long-term lease agreements, continuous improvements to their playing and practice facilities, revitalization of the areas around them and generated revenue for the state without any new taxes for citizens.
Lauscha currently serves as a member of the Business Council of New Orleans & the River Region, as a board member of the Audubon Nature Institute, Loyola University, the Greater New Orleans Foundation, and as a trustee of the National World War II Museum. His professional and charitable work was recognized by New Orleans CityBusiness, when he was selected as one of the 40 Most Influential Members of the Community.
In 2010, he was named the Alumnus of the Year by Loyola’s College of Business and was named to the Class of Role Models by the Young Leadership Council. He was honored by the Sugar Bowl Chapter of the National Football Foundation with its 2014 Distinguished American Award. In 2016, he was inducted into the Order of West Range for the Pi Kappa Alpha Foundation. He was honored as a 2019 Laureate of Junior Achievement’s Greater New Orleans chapter and as Chairman of the organization’s 2023 Business Hall of Fame. He was named 2022 Jesuit High School’s Alumnus of the Year. Most recently, he was honored as a 2024 Pillar of Scouting by Boy Scouts of America.
- EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT/GENERAL MANAGER
Mickey Loomis enters his 23rd season in his current position and 25th with the Saints. The 37-year NFL front office veteran has been honored with some of the most prestigious awards presented to a league executive, yet his most satisfying career achievement has come in helping mold a roster that’s produced many of the franchise’s finest moments over the last 18 seasons, including the Super Bowl XLIV championship.
In 2006, after being the key figure in the hiring of Head Coach Sean Payton, the signing of Drew Brees and overseeing the rebuild of a team that would advance to the NFC Championship, Loomis was voted Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers of America NFL Executive of the Year. He was also honored as the The Sporting News George Young Executive of the Year, an award voted on annually by NFL front-office executives and owners.
Loomis has continued to build on the success of 2006, highlighted by 11 winning seasons, nine postseason appearances, seven division titles, three NFC Championship berths and the Super Bowl victory. Over the past 22 years, he’s brought aboard a group of players who have played a key role in New Orleans posting a 203-152 regular season record through a combination of the draft, free agency and trades, while presiding over the club’s ability to re-sign their core players. He’s just the ninth person in the 105-year history of the NFL to oversee 200 regular season career wins as the official acting General
Manager. In 2022, Loomis conducted an extensive coaching search to lead the Saints into the future and following the search, Dennis Allen was promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach.
Loomis has been a key figure in the highest management circle of the organization since arriving in 2000 as director of football administration, prior to his 2002 promotion. In 2005, Loomis helped steer the club through unprecedented challenges, calmly guided the staff and players through a sudden evacuation and multiple base of operations moves in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Loomis has overseen several renovations and facility upgrades at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center, giving the club one of the NFL’s top training complexes. In 2024, renovated weight room facilities and a new team cafeteria will debut.
Prior to arriving in New Orleans, Loomis spent 15 years with the Seattle Seahawks, including as executive vice president from 199298. He joined the Seahawks in 1983, was promoted to vice president/finance in 1990 and to executive vice president in 1992. The Eugene, Ore., native has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Oregon and a master’s degree in sports administration from Wichita State.
Married to Melanie, Loomis has four children: Alex, Katherine, Sam and Lucy.
GREG ROUCHELL Senior Vice President of Human Resources
DENNIS LAUSCHA - PRESIDENT
BEN HALES
Senior Vice President of Marketing & Operations / Chief Operating Officer
ED LANG
Senior Vice President of Finance / Chief Financial Officer
VICKY NEUMEYER Senior Vice President/ General Counsel
GREG BENSEL
Senior VP of Communications, Broadcast, Community Relations & Governmental Relations
MICHAEL STANFIELD
Senior Vice President of Sales
MICKEY LOOMIS
ENDS COACH
Clancy Barone enters his second season as the Saints tight ends coach after leading the unit to a successful 2023 campaign. Barone has 35 years of coaching experience, with his first 17 at the collegiate level and his last 18 in the NFL.
New Orleans is the sixth NFL stop for Barone, having previously coached either tight ends or offensive line with the Atlanta Falcons (2004-06), San Diego Chargers (2007-08), Denver Broncos (200916), Minnesota Vikings (2017-18) and Chicago Bears (2020-21) and Saints (2023-). As a tight ends coach, Barone has had four players voted to the Pro Bowl with four different teams: the Falcons’ Alge Crumpler, the Chargers’ Antonio Gates, the Broncos’ Julius Thomas and the Vikings’ Kyle Rudolph.
The Saints tight ends group was led by Juwan Johnson in 2023, and under Barone’s tutelage, he recorded 37 receptions for 359 yards with
John Benton, a 33-year veteran in the coaching ranks, including 19 in the NFL, enters his first season as offensive line coach with the New Orleans Saints. Of the NFL offensive lines he has directed since 2004, Benton’s units have finished in the top ten in the league in rushing yards per game seven times.
Benton spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator of the New York Jets. In 2022, Benton’s position group showcased their depth and versatility as nine different starters formed seven different combinations, with the Jets improving their win total by three games. Before suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week Seven, rookie running back Breece Hall shined behind the Jets offensive line, carrying 80 times for 463 yards (5.8 avg.) with four touchdowns and catching 19 passes for 218 yards with one touchdown.
RICK
- SENIOR OFFENSIVE ASSISTANT
Entering his 28th season of coaching in the NFL, Rick Dennison has been part of 13 playoff appearances, five division titles, and three Super Bowl victories. He served as offensive line coach/run game coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings from 2019-20 and as senior offensive advisor in 2021.
Dennison has consistently been a part of winning programs, the teams he has coached for posting a .500 or better record in 20 of his 27 NFL seasons and has been part of 12 seasons of ten or more wins. His 17 seasons in Denver resulted in three Super Bowl titles, eight playoff appearances, four AFC West titles and eight seasons of ten or more wins. Dennison has coached 18 different Pro Bowl players across seven different positions, including six offensive linemen. Of those six,
After serving as a training camp intern in 2022, Jahri Evans began his full-time coaching career in 2023 and enters his second season as an offensive assistant with the New Orleans Saints.
Evans was drafted by the Saints in the fourth round (108th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft and spent the first 11 seasons of his 12-year playing career with the Saints. Overall, he started 183 career regular season games at right guard for the Saints (2006-16) and Green Bay Packers (2017), 169 for the Black and Gold. Evans also opened all ten Saints playoff games at his position. Evans was a six-time Pro Bowl selection, a five-time AP All-Pro and was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2010’s All-Decade Team, as New Orleans finished in the Top Ten in total offense each of the 11 seasons he lined up for the Saints, while the 196 sacks surrendered by the line over the period were the lowest in the NFC and second-lowest in the NFL. After being selected as a consensus All-Rookie in 2006, Evans
four touchdowns, despite missing four games with a calf injury. Foster Moreau contributed as both a blocker and receiver with 21 grabs and one touchdown, while Jimmy Graham was a valuable red zone target with four touchdown catches.
Barone played on the offensive line at the University of Nevada and Sacramento State University, and holds a place in the Hornets Athletics Hall of Fame.
PLAYING CAREER: Nevada, 1983-84; Sacramento State, 1985-86.
COACHING CAREER: American River College, 1983-84; Sacramento State, 1991-92; Texas A&M, 1993; Eastern Illinois, 1994-96; University of Wyoming, 1997-99; University of Houston, 2000-02; Texas State University, 2003; Atlanta Falcons, 2004-06; San Diego Chargers, 2007-08; Denver Broncos, 2009-16; Minnesota Vikings, 2017-18; Chicago Bears, 2020-21; New Orleans Saints 2023–.
Entering the starting lineup in Week Five after recovering from an injury, left tackle Duane Brown did not give up a sack in 12 contests.
A four-year starter as an offensive lineman at Colorado State (1983-86), the Durango, Col., native earned honorable mention All-WAC honors during his junior and senior seasons, and was named conference All-Academic as a senior. In 1987, Benton had a stint on the Saints practice squad.
PLAYING CAREER: Colorado State, 1983-86.
COACHING CAREER: Colorado State, 1987-90 and 1995-2003; California University of Pennsylvania, 1990-94; St. Louis Rams, 2004-05; Houston Texans, 2006-13; Miami Dolphins, 2014-15; Jacksonville Jaguars, 2016; San Francisco 49ers, 2017-20; New York Jets, 202122; New Orleans Saints, 2024-.
five made their first Pro Bowl appearance under him, while three made all their trips with him as their coach.
Undrafted out of Colorado State, Dennison played nine seasons at linebacker for the Broncos. At CSU, he earned three letters and was named a second-team Academic All-American as a senior. Dennison earned two degrees in civil engineering from CSU, first his bachelor’s in 1979 and later his master’s in 1982.
PLAYING CAREER: Colorado State, 1976, 1978-79; Denver Broncos, 1982-90.
COACHING CAREER: Suffield (Conn.) Academy, 1992-94; Denver Broncos, 1995-2009 and 2015-16; Houston Texans, 2010-13; Baltimore Ravens, 2014; Buffalo Bills, 2017; New York Jets, 2018; Minnesota Vikings, 2019-21; New Orleans Saints, 2024-.
was a Pro Bowl starter and consensus first-team All-Pro each season from 2009-12. He was elected to the Saints Hall of Fame in 2020, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2022 and was a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023 and a finalist for the Class of 2024. Evans will be inducted into the Saints Ring of Honor in November.
A three-year starter at Bloomsburg, which he originally attended on a combined academic/athletic scholarship, Evans anchored the left tackle position and was a finalist for the Division II Gene Upshaw Offensive Player of the Year Award in 2004 and 2005. The Philadelphia native graduated with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and received his MBA from the University of Miami in Executive Business Administration. Evans and his wife, Takia, have two sons.
PLAYING CAREER: Bloomsburg, 2001-05; New Orleans Saints, 2006-16; Green Bay Packers, 2017.
COACHING CAREER: New Orleans Saints, 2023-.
DENNISON
CLANCY BARONE - TIGHT
JAHRI EVANS - OFFENSIVE ASSISTANT
JOHN BENTON - OFFENSIVE LINE COACH
Derrick Foster enters his first season with the New Orleans Saints as running backs coach after the 13-year coaching veteran spent his first three NFL campaigns in the same position with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Under the tutelage of Foster, Austin Ekeler totaled 44 regular-season scrimmage touchdowns (20 in 2021, 18 in 2022 and six in 2023), ranking first in the NFL over that span, and led the league in his first two seasons. Ekeler added a pair of rushing touchdowns in the 2022 AFC Wild Card Playoff at Jacksonville, making him the seventh player in NFL history to register back-to-back seasons with 20 touchdowns (regular and postseason combined). Ekeler’s 228 receptions for 1,805 yards with 14 touchdowns led NFL running backs in catches and
Phil Galiano enters his sixth season with the Saints as assistant special teams coach. Galiano is a veteran in the coaching ranks with 24 years of experience, including eight seasons in the NFL.
Galiano’s work with Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Darren Rizzi has made the kicking game an integral part of New Orleans’ success. On coverage units, J.T. Gray’s 65 tackles rank second in the NFL. The punting game has produced the top three seasons in club history for punts inside-the-20-yard line. Since 2019, the Saints have excelled in the return game. Over the five-season period, the team has been ranked sixth in the NFL in punt return average (10.1), while the coverage units have allowed the third-lowest
ASSISTANT
Saints. This is his second stint in New Orleans after contributing on defense and special teams in 2010.
The Clovis, Calif., native was a fourth round draft pick of the Indianapolis Colts in 2005 out of California and enjoyed a nine-year NFL career with the Colts (2005-08), Green Bay Packers (2009), Saints (2010), Oakland Raiders (2011-12) and St. Louis Rams (2013), starting 30-of-116 career games, while accumulating 202 tackles, one sack, 11 interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns, 16 passes defensed, two forced fumbles, 52 special teams stops and one coverage fumble recovery. He also appeared in seven postseason games for the Colts and Packers, and was a member of Indianapolis’ Super Bowl XLI championship team.
Following his playing career, Giordano served as head coach at his high school alma mater, Buchanan High School in Clovis, where he
Peter Giunta (pronounced GEN-ta) enters his tenth season as a Saints senior defensive assistant in 2024. He’s a 45-year coaching veteran, including 33 years of experience in the NFL with three Super Bowl Championships.
In 2023, Giunta played an integral role in implementing Head Coach Dennis Allen’s and Defensive Coordinator Joe Woods’ scheme in the secondary along with secondary coach Marcus Robertson and defensive assistant Matt Giordano. As a team, the Saints forced 29 turnovers after recording only 14 in 2022, ranked fourth in the NFL. The team’s 18 interceptions, up from seven in 2022, were tied for third in the league, with 16 coming from the secondary. New Orleans led the NFL with 99 pass breakups, with three Saints ranked in the
receiving yardage over the three-season span under Foster’s tutelage, while tying for first in touchdown grabs.
Foster played running back and wide receiver at Southwest Baptist (Mo.). He started 41-of-44 career game appearances at wideout for the Bearcats and finished his career with 2,062 all-purpose yards. The Goshen, Ala., native graduated in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in sports management and went on to earn a master’s degree in public administration from Valdosta State in 2013.
PLAYING CAREER: Southwest Baptist, 2005-10.
COACHING CAREER: Valdosta State, 2011; Tennessee, 2012; Northwestern State (La.), 2013-15; Samford, 2016-17; Iowa, 2018-20; Los Angeles Chargers, 2021-23; New Orleans Saints, 2024-.
punt return average (7.0). The special teams units have not given up a touchdown since 2019.
A three-year starter at safety for Shippensburg, Galiano served as a tri-captain during his senior campaign. He helped lead the Raiders to consecutive winning seasons (1997-99). The Norristown, Pa., native graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
PLAYING CAREER: Shippensburg, 1996-99.
COACHING CAREER: Dickinson, 2000; New Haven, 2001; Villanova, 2002; Rutgers, 2003-06; Florida International, 2007-09; Rutgers, 2010-11; Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2012-13; Rutgers, 2014-15; Miami Dolphins, 2016; Penn State, 2017-18; New Orleans Saints, 2019-.
amassed a record of 51-16. In 2022, he served as a volunteer assistant at Fresno State.
Giordano played two years at the University of California after transferring from Fresno City College. He started 14-of-25 games at safety for Cal and posted 111 career tackles, four stops for a loss, one sack, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, six pass breakups and two interceptions. He was an honorable-mention All-America selection and first-team All-Pac-10 honoree in 2004, when he totaled 61 tackles, 1.5 stops for loss, one sack, two forced fumbles, six passes defensed and one interception. Giordano was inducted into the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019.
PLAYING CAREER: Fresno City College, 2001-02; California, 2003-04; Indianapolis Colts, 2005-08; Green Bay Packers, 2009; New Orleans Saints, 2010; Oakland Raiders, 2011-12; St. Louis Rams, 2013. COACHING CAREER: Buchanan High School (Head Coach), 2016-21; Fresno State, 2022; New Orleans Saints, 2023-.
top 10. Under the guidance of Giunta, CB Paulson Adebo had a club-best six takeaways and ranked third in the NFL with 18 passes defensed. S Tyrann Mathieu tied for the team lead with Adebo with four interceptions, one returned for a touchdown.
The Salem, Mass., native had a four-year playing career as a defensive back and running back at Northeastern (1974-44).
PLAYING CAREER: Northeastern, 1974-77.
COACHING CAREER: Swampscott (Mass.) High School, 1978-80; Penn State, 1981-83; Brown, 1984-87; Lehigh, 1988-90; Philadelphia Eagles, 1991-94; New York Jets, 1995-96; St. Louis Rams, 19972000; Kansas City Chiefs, 2001-05; New York Giants, 2006-14; New Orleans Saints, 2016–.
PETER GIUNTA - SENIOR DEFENSIVE ASSISTANT
Matt Giordano, a nine-year NFL veteran safety in the playing ranks, enters his second season as a defensive assistant with the
MATT GIORDANO - DEFENSIVE
PHIL GALIANO - ASSISTANT SPECIAL TEAMS COACH
DERRICK FOSTER - RUNNING BACKS COACH
Todd Grantham, a 34-year coaching veteran, is in his second season as the Saints’ defensive line coach. Grantham came to New Orleans after serving as an analyst at the University of Alabama in 2022. From 2018-21, He served as defensive coordinator at the University of Florida.
Grantham, who has extensive college and NFL experience, both along the front seven and as a defensive coordinator, fostered significant development and improvement out of some of New Orleans’ younger defenders. While defensive end Cameron Jordan continued to be the physical and emotional leader of the front four, Carl Granderson blossomed on the opposite side under Grantham’s tutelage with a career-high and team-best 8.5 sacks as part of a 78-tackle effort.
Bryan Bresee, the club’s first round pick, finished with 4.5 sacks and
Gristick’s responsibilities include producing self-scout breakdown reports, compilation of scouting reports, breakdown of Saints opponents, the organization of playbooks and assisting Linebackers Coach Michael Hodges with the position group during practice and in meetings.
Gristick came to New Orleans after serving on the coaching staff at Eastern Illinois University from 2018-22. His entire tenure in Charleston, he coached linebackers, adding the title of defensive game run coordinator in 2020. In 2022, he was promoted to defensive coordinator, while also continuing to coach the team’s linebackers.
Gristick came to Eastern Illinois after serving two seasons as an assis-
Michael Hodges enters his fifth season as linebackers coach. Hodges was originally hired by the Saints in the 2017 offseason as a defensive assistant and spent one season as assistant linebackers coach in 2019.
2023 saw Hodges working with the duo of Demario Davis and Pete Werner, who contributed to New Orleans ranking eighth in the NFL in scoring defense and tenth against the pass. Davis led the team in tackles for the sixth consecutive season (121) and became only the second Saint to reach the century mark in stops in six seasons. He put on a strong pass rush performance, ranking second on the team and tying his 2022 career-high, with 6.5 sacks. He was selected to the Pro Bowl for the second consecutive season and voted an AP All-Pro (second-team)
Andrew Janocko enters his first season as New Orleans’ quarterbacks coach. He has 13 years of coaching experience, including 11 in the NFL. He joins the Saints after spending the past two years as quarterbacks coach of the Chicago Bears.
Over the past two seasons, Janocko was instrumental in the development of signal-caller Justin Fields, who completed 419-of-688 (60.9 pct.) passes for 4,804 yards with 33 touchdown passes, while carrying 284 times for 1,800 yards (6.3 avg.) with 12 touchdowns in 28 starts. In Week 14 of the 2023 season, Fields became the secondfastest quarterback in NFL history to reach 2,000 rushing yards in only 36 games and only the third signal-caller with at least 2,000 rushing yards in his first three seasons. In 2023, despite playing in two fewer games than 2022 due to injuries, Fields improved in most major passing categories, completing 227-of-370 (61.4 pct.) passes for 2,562
six passes defensed, the top totals in club record books for a Saints rookie defensive tackle.
Grantham played guard and tackle for Virginia Tech from 1984-88, where he also started his coaching career (1990-95). He earned secondteam All-South and honorable mention All-America honors as a senior, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in sports management in 1989.
tant at Syracuse, one as a defensive quality control coach and one as a graduate assistant. The Orefield, Pa., native’s coaching career began in quality control at Missouri State in 2015.
Gristick played linebacker at Eastern Illinois from 2010-14, where as a three-year starter his last three seasons, he made 194 career tackles with 20 stops for loss and three interceptions, helping EIU capture back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference championships and FCS playoff appearances from 2012-13. He earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise science in 2015.
for the fifth straight campaign. Werner ranked second on the team with 93 tackles and tied for the team lead with two fumble recoveries.
Hodges played linebacker at Texas A&M, where he earned secondteam All-Big 12 honors as a senior when he led the Aggies in tackles and honorable mention as a junior after beginning as a walk-on. He was a two-time Academic All-Big 12 selection and was named a first-team Academic All-American in 2010. He graduated in 2010 and earned his master’s in 2011. He was presented with the 2010 Heart Award, the highest honor for a Texas A&M senior football player.
yards with 16 touchdowns and an 86.3 passer rating, while carrying 124 times for 657 yards with four touchdowns. The Bears improved their victory total from three in 2022 to seven in 2023, as Fields won four of his final six starts.
A three-year letterman at Pittsburgh, the Clearfield, Pa., native served as a backup quarterback and holder on special teams. Janocko spent his first two seasons as a walk-on before earning a scholarship his final two seasons. A three-time member of the Big East Conference All-Academic Team, he graduated with a degree in history and a minor in political science.
PLAYING CAREER: Pittsburgh, 2007-10.
COACHING CAREER: Rutgers, 2011; Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2012-13; Mercyhurst University, 2014; Minnesota Vikings, 2015-21; Chicago Bears, 2022-23; New Orleans Saints, 2024-.
ANDREW JANOCKO - QUARTERBACKS COACH
MICHAEL HODGES - LINEBACKERS COACH
Adam Gristick enters his second season in the NFL as a defensive assistant with the New Orleans Saints.
ADAM GRISTICK - DEFENSIVE ASSISTANT
TODD GRANTHAM - DEFENSIVE LINE COACH
KLINT KUBIAK - OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR
Kubiak enters his first season with the Saints as offensive coordinator, his 11th NFL season and 15th campaign overall in coaching. He arrives after serving as the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive passing game specialist in 2023.
In 2023, Kubiak played a pivotal role in the planning and tutelage within the passing game of the NFC Champion 49ers. The 49ers finished the regular season ranked second in the NFL in total offense (398.4 ypg.), including fourth in net passing yards per game (257.9). San Francisco finished first in the league in red zone touchdown percentage (67.2), fourth in in third down conversion percentage (47.5) and were tied for the sixth-fewest turnovers in the NFL. Pro Bowl QB Brock Purdy completed 308-of-444 (69.4 pct.) passes for 4,280 yards with 21 touchdowns against only 11
Mike Martinez enters his second campaign on the New Orleans Saints coaching staff as assistant to the head coach after serving as a football operations/scouting assistant from 2020-22. In his role, he is responsible for assisting Head Coach Dennis Allen in organizing the club’s football operations. Martinez is responsible for coordinating the Saints’ daily meeting and practice schedules, the team’s year-round football calendar and orchestration of team and staff
DENARIUS MCGHEE - ASSISTANT WIDE RECEIVERS
Ten-year coaching veteran Denarius McGhee enters his first season as assistant wide receivers coach for the New Orleans Saints in 2024. McGhee comes to the Saints after a four-year stint as an offensive assistant with the Houston Texans.
McGhee was part of a Texans coaching staff in 2023 that helped Houston improve from a 3-13-1 record in 2022 to winning the AFC South division title and capturing an AFC Wild Card Playoff victory over Cleveland. As a team, Houston finished the regular season with the fewest giveaways in the NFL (14) and its passing attack ranked second in the NFL in pass plays over 25 yards (41). Houston’s offensive attack blossomed with the development of several key offensive contributors. Rookie QB C.J. Stroud captured AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, completing 319-of-499 passes for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and a 100.8 passer rating. Two young wideouts also developed in Nico Collins and Tank Dell. Collins had the best season of his career, with 80 catches for 1,297 yards and eight
Kevin Petry enters his eighth season as a member of the Saints coaching staff and sixth as an offensive assistant. He’s worked with both quarterbacks and wide receivers during his tenure on the coaching staff and will work with the tight ends in 2024.
Petry was responsible for coordinating the Saints’ meeting and practice schedules, daily football calendar and the orchestration of team and staff events, as well as providing administrative assistance to the coaching and football operations staff from 2017-22.
interceptions and a league-best 113.0 passer rating, an NFL-best 123.8 in the fourth quarter. Including Purdy, five offensive 49ers were selected to the Pro Bowl and four were Associated Press AllPros (TE George Kittle, FB Kyle Juszczyk, RB Christian McCaffrey and LT Trent Williams).
Kubiak was a four-year letterman at Colorado State. He played safety for the Rams and was a team captain as a senior, earning an invite to play in the East-West Shrine Game.
PLAYING CAREER: Colorado State, 2005-09.
COACHING CAREER: Texas A&M, 2010-12; Minnesota Vikings, 201314; Kansas, 2015; Denver Broncos, 2016-18; Minnesota Vikings, 2019-21; Denver Broncos, 2022; San Francisco 49ers, 2023; New Orleans Saints, 2024-.
events, as well as providing administrative assistance to the coaching and operations staff.
The Boise, Idaho, native played basketball at Dordt (Sioux Center, Iowa) University and graduated with degrees in communication and sports management.
COACHING CAREER: New Orleans Saints, 2023-.
touchdowns with a franchise-record 25 20-plus yard receptions. As a rookie, Dell finished with 47 receptions for 709 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games.
A four-year starter at Montana State, McGhee stands as the school’s all-time winningest quarterback, holds program records in career passing yards (11,203) and touchdowns (79) and remains the only player in program history to win Big Sky MVP twice. He led the Bobcats to three conference championships and garnered AllAmerican recognition as both a freshman and a junior. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing. McGhee is a member of the Montana State Athletics Hall of Fame.
PLAYING CAREER: Montana State, 2010-13; Saskatchewan Roughriders (CFL), 2014.
COACHING CAREER: Florida Atlantic, 2014; North Carolina State, 201516; Montana State, 2017-19; Houston Texans, 2020-23; New Orleans Saints, 2024-.
This will be Petry’s 12th year as a member of the Saints organization. During the 2015 and 2016 seasons, he served as a video assistant. From 2012-14, Petry was a member of the team’s equipment staff. The Covington native prepped at St. Paul’s High School in Covington, La., and graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in sports administration in 2013. Petry and his wife Kelsey, have one son, Louis Michael.
COACHING CAREER: New Orleans Saints, 2017-.
KEVIN PETRY - OFFENSIVE ASSISTANT
MIKE MARTINEZ - ASSISTANT TO THE HEAD COACH
DARREN RIZZI - ASSISTANT HEAD COACH/SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR
Darren Rizzi was named special teams coordinator for the Saints on February 11, 2019, and added the important role of assistant head coach in 2022. Rizzi brings 31 years of coaching experience, including a ten-season stint with the Miami Dolphins from 2009-18.
Rizzi’s units have ranked in the top half of NFL writer Rick Gosselin’s annual special teams rankings in 12 of the 13 years that he has served as a coordinator, including first in 2019, fifth in both 2020 and 2021 and second in 2023. Since he entered the NFL coaching ranks in 2009, seven special teams players have been named to eight Pro Bowls under his tutelage. Rizzi has also coached six players to the NFL All-Rookie team in the past ten years. Over his Saints career, Rizzi’s work has made the kicking game an integral part of New Orleans’ success. On coverage units, J.T. Gray’s 65 tackles rank sec-
- SECONDARY COACH
Marcus Robertson, a 17-year NFL coaching veteran, enters his second season as the Saints’ secondary coach. Robertson has spent the last 33 seasons in the NFL as a player, coach and administrator, tutoring defensive backs with the Tennessee Titans (2007-11), Detroit Lions (2012-13), Oakland Raiders (2014-16), Denver Broncos (201718) and Arizona Cardinals (2019-22).
In 2023, Robertson coached a secondary that finished first in the NFL in pass breakups (99), tied for third in the league for interceptions (18) and ranked tenth in opponent passing yards per game (207.3). Robertson coached CB Paulson Adebo, who recorded the third-most pass breakups (18) and led the team with six takeaways. He also coached S Tyrann
Jordan Traylor enters his sixth season with the New Orleans Saints, his fourth on the coaching staff. Traylor previously served his first two years with the organization in the personnel department. In 2021, he transitioned to the defensive coaching staff, working with linebackers for two seasons. Traylor worked with the tight ends in 2023 and will help Andrew Janocko tutor the quarterbacks in 2024.
Prior to joining the Saints, he began his coaching career as an offensive graduate assistant working with quarterbacks and receivers at The University of Texas from 2016-2017, before coaching quar-
Keith Williams enters his first season with the New Orleans Saints, where he will tutor the team’s wideouts after spending the previous three seasons on the Baltimore Ravens offensive coaching staff. Prior to joining the Ravens in 2021, the Stockton, Calif., native came to the National Football League having 18 years of coaching experience at the collegiate level, while also working as a personal wide receivers coach for a number of top NFL wideouts, including All-Pros Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill.
In his three years with the Ravens, Williams served as assistant wide receivers coach in 2023 and as the team’s pass game specialist from 2021-22, working with the wideouts.
In 2023, Williams worked with Ravens Wide Receivers Coach Greg Lewis to tutor a unit that contributed to Baltimore ranking fourth in the NFL in scoring (28.4 ppg.) and sixth in total offense (370.4 ypg.). Zay Flowers, the club’s first round pick, set rookie franchise marks in
ond in the NFL. The punting game has produced the top three seasons in club history for punts inside-the-20-yard line. Since 2019, the Saints have excelled in the return game. Over the five-season period, the team has been ranked sixth in the NFL in punt return average (10.1), while the coverage units have allowed the third-lowest punt return average (7.0). The special teams units have not given up a touchdown. The Hillsdale, N.J., native played tight end at the University of Rhode Island. He tallied 160 receptions for 2,426 yards (15.2 avg.) and 15 touchdowns and was a consensus All-American in 1992.
COACHING CAREER: Colgate, 1993; New Haven, 1994-97; Northeastern, 1998; New Haven (Head Coach), 19992001; Rutgers, 2002-07; Rhode Island (Head Coach), 2008; Miami Dolphins, 2009-18; New Orleans Saints, 2019-.
to four interceptions, tying for the team lead with
Prior to beginning his coaching career, Robertson played four seasons at Iowa State and 12 years in the NFL for the Houston Oilers/ Tennessee Titans (1991-00) and the Seattle Seahawks (2001-02) after being drafted by Houston as a fourth-round selection (102nd overall) in the 1991 NFL Draft.
terbacks at the University of Arkansas as an offensive analyst in 2018. The Gilmer, Texas, native, who played quarterback and wide receiver in high school, started his collegiate playing career at Mississippi College from 2012-13 before transferring to play quarterback at Texas A&M from 2014-15. Traylor is the son of UTSA Head Coach Jeff Traylor.
PLAYING CAREER: Mississippi College, 2012-13; Texas A&M, 2014-15.
COACHING CAREER: Texas, 2016-17; Arkansas, 2018; New Orleans Saints, 2021-.
catches (77) and receiving yards (858), adding six total touchdowns (five receiving and one rushing).
Williams played wideout for San Diego State from 1991-93, including the 1991 Freedom Bowl team, while also competing on the Aztecs’ track & field team, finishing with a bronze medal (10.31) in the 100m at the Western Athletic Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships. He earned his bachelor’s degree in public administration in 1996.
PLAYING CAREER: San Diego State, 1991-93; Frankfurt Galaxy (WLAF) 1995; Saskatchewan Roughriders (CFL), 1995-96.
COACHING CAREER: Brookside Christian High School, 1997-99; Solano Community College, 2000; San Jose State, 2001-04; San Jose City College, 2005-08; Fresno State, 2009-11; Tulane, 2012-14; Nebraska, 2015-17; San Antonio Commanders (AAF), 2019; Baltimore Ravens, 2021-23; New Orleans Saints, 2024-.
KEITH WILLIAMS - WIDE RECEIVERS COACH
JORDAN TRAYLOR - OFFENSIVE ASSISTANT
Mathieu
Adebo.
MARCUS ROBERTSON
Woods enters his second season as the Saints’ defensive coordinator. A 32-year coaching veteran, including the last 20 in the NFL, he enters his seventh NFL season as a coordinator.
With Woods’ influence in his first season with the club, the Saints made great strides getting their hands on the football and taking it away. New Orleans forced 29 turnovers in 2023, ranked fourth in the NFL, with Paulson Adebo leading the team (six). New Orleans was 5-1 when they forced at least two turnovers in a game. The Black and Gold also had 18 interceptions, tied for third in the league. The team led the NFL with 99 pass breakups, with the Saints the only team to have three players ranked in the top ten individually, including Adebo with 18, third in the league. The Saints
Brian Young enters his ninth season as pass rush specialist. In his 15th season as a valued member of the Saints coaching staff, Young has worked with all of the front seven position groups after first breaking into the ranks as a coaching assistant in 2009 following the conclusion of a nine-year NFL playing career.
Since 2017, New Orleans’ 315 sacks rank fourth in the NFL, 11 different linemen have produced multi-sack games and the defense went an NFL-record 55 regular season and postseason games without allowing a 100-yard rusher from 2017-20. In 2023, Carl Granderson blossomed under Young’s tutelage, with a career-high and team-best 8.5 sacks. Bryan Bresee, the club’s first round pick, finished with 4.5 sacks and six pass breakups, the top totals in club record books for a Saints rookie tackle.
ranked eighth in opponent points per game, tenth in opponent net passing yards per game and fourth in the league in third down defense after tying for 24th a year earlier.
Before the start of his coaching career, Woods lettered four years as a cornerback and safety at Illinois State.
PLAYING CAREER: Illinois State, 1988-91.
COACHING CAREER: Muskigum College, 1992; Eastern Michigan, 1993; Northwestern State, 1994; Grand Valley State, 1994-96; Kent State, 1997; Hofstra, 1998-2000; Western Michigan, 2001-03; Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2004-05; Minnesota Vikings, 2006-13; Oakland Raiders, 2014; Denver Broncos, 2015-18; San Francisco 49ers, 2019; Cleveland Browns, 2020-22; New Orleans Saints, 2023-.
Young joined the coaching staff after concluding a nine-year playing career, where he appeared in 124 games and had 22.5 sacks and eight fumble recoveries for the Rams (2000-03) and Saints (200408). During his Saints tenure, he served as a valuable member of the interior line rotation, starting 58-of-64 contests.
Young played at Texas-El Paso from 1996-99. He was the Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 1999, when he had a career-high 121 tackles and eight sacks. The El Paso native graduated with a degree in criminal justice.
PLAYING CAREER: Texas El-Paso, 1996-99; St. Louis Rams, 2000-03; New Orleans Saints, 2004-08.
COACHING CAREER: New Orleans Saints, 2009-.
BRIAN YOUNG - PASS RUSH SPECIALIST
JOE WOODS - DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
Khai Harley Senior Vice President of Football Operations / Assistant GM
Scott Kuhn Director of Football Administration
Jeff Ireland Senior Vice President / Assistant GM - College Personnel
Michael Parenton Vice President of Pro Personnel
Mike Baugh National Scout
Terry Wooden National Scout
Casey Talley Area Scout
Joey Vitt Jr. Area Scout
Mike DiJulio Area Scout
Jon Sandusky Area Scout
Paul Zimmer Area Scout
Will Martinez Combine Scout
Zach Stuart Director of Analytics
C.J. Leak Area Scout
Ziad Qubti College Scouting Coordinator
Matt Phillips Area Scout
Harry Piper Personnel Assistant
Debbie Gallagher Executive Asst. to the EVP/GM
Ryan Powell National Scout
Justin Matthews Pro Scout
Josh Hill Pro Scout
Rishi Desai Scouting Assistant
Tosan Eyetsemitan Pro Scout
Dave Ziegler Senior Personnel Advisor
Brandon Tamres Scouting Assistant
OWNERSHIP
Gristick
Andrew Janocko Quarterbacks
Klint Kubiak Offensive Coordinator
Mike Martinez Assistant to the Head Coach
DeNarius McGhee Assistant Wide Receivers
Kevin Petry Offensive Assistant
Marcus Robertson Secondary
Darren Rizzi Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator
Jordan Traylor Offensive Assistant
Keith Williams Wide Receivers
Joe Woods Defensive Coordinator
Brian Young Pass Rush Specialist
EQUIPMENT
John Baumgartner Head Equipment Manager
Corey Gaudet Assistant Equipment Manager
Richard Killian II Assistant Equipment Manager
Ben Steib Assistant Equipment Manager
COMMUNICATIONS
Doug Miller Executive Director of Football Communications
Justin Macione Director of Football Communications/Publications Director
Sam Shannon Corporate Communications Manager
Davis Friend Football Communications Coordinator
Grant Segar Communications, Government Relations & Special Projects Coordinator
Cass Lapeyre Football Communications Associate
PLAYER ENGAGEMENT
Fred McAfee Vice President of Player Engagement
Danny Lawless Director of Security
Evan Meyers Assistant Player Engagement/Legends & Alumni Manager
Dan Simmons Alumni/Legends Development Coordinator
ATHLETIC TRAINING
Ben Stollberg Director of Sports Medicine
Shone Gipson Head Athletic Trainer
Jonathan Gress Director of Rehabilitation
Kevin Mangum Assistant Athletic Trainer
Bobby Feeback Assistant Athletic Trainer
Natalie Phipps Assistant Athletic Trainer
Jamie Meeks Director of Sports Nutrition
MEDICAL STAFF
Dr. John Amoss Chief of Internal Medicine
Dr. Karim Meijer Team Orthopedist
Dr. W. Stephen Choate Team Orthopedist
Dr. David Leslie Team Physician
SPORTS SCIENCE/STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
Matt Rhea Director of Sports Science
Matt Clapp Strength & Conditioning
Charles Byrd Strength & Conditioning
Rob Wenning Strength & Conditioning
VIDEO Dave Desposito
Tim Youngblood
Video Assistant Chris McNeice
Video Assistant
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION
Dennis Lauscha President
Greg Bensel Senior Vice President of Communications, Broadcast, Community and Governmental Relations
Ben Hales Senior Vice President of Marketing/Chief Operating Officer
Johnny Pizzo Sales Director, Corporate Partnerships and Media
Victoria Weber Senior Manager,
Video Director
Joe Alley Assistant Video Director
CAESARS SUPERDOME A NATIONAL LANDMARK
Created by Law - November 8, 1966
Construction Began - August 11, 1971
Opened - August 3, 1975
Home of Major Sports Events
• New Orleans Saints (NFL Football)
• Allstate Sugar Bowl Classic (NCAA Division I Football)
• State Farm Bayou Classic (Southern U. vs. Grambling State Football)
• R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl (NCAA Division I Football)
• LHSAA/State Farm Prep Classic (State High School Football Championships)
• Super Bowls XII (1978), XV (1981), XX (1986), XXIV (1990), XXXI (1997), XXXVI (2002), XLVII (2013), LIX (to be played on February 9, 2025)
• NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four 1982, 1987, 1993, 2003, 2012
Legendary Moments
• Saints played first professional football game inside the Superdome when they hosted the Houston Oilers on August 9, 1975
• Alabama beat Penn State 13-6 in first Sugar Bowl game in the Superdome in 1976
• “Pistol Pete” Maravich & New Orleans Jazz set NBA crowd mark of 35,077 in 1977
• Muhammad Ali defeated Leon Spinks before 65,000 in 1978
• LSU-Notre Dame basketball game in 1980 set the NCAA record attendance of 68,112
• Sugar Ray Leonard defeated Roberto Duran in “No Mas” fight in 1980
• Pope John Paul II addressed 80,000 school children in 1987
• George Bush nominated for election at 1988 Republican National Convention
• Grambling’s Eddie Robinson coached his final game in 1997 Bayou Classic
• Tulane rolled out a perfect 12-0 season in 1998
• #2 LSU defeated #1 Oklahoma 21-14 to win college football national title in 2004
• Saints defeated Falcons 23-3 in first game after Hurricane Katrina on Sept. 25, 2006
• Saints beat the Eagles 27-24 to advance to NFC championship game for the first time in team history on Jan. 13, 2007
• LSU beat Ohio State 38-24 to win BCS Championship before record crowd of 79,651
• Saints defeated the Vikings 31-28 in overtime in first NFC Championship game they hosted to advance to Super Bowl XLIV, before 71,276 on Jan. 24, 2010.
• In 2021, the club reached a 20-year naming rights agreement with Caesars Entertainment to rename the stadium the Caesars Superdome.
• In time for the 2024 Saints season, the stadium completed a multi-season transformation that started in 2020, which now makes the Caesars Superdome one of the most state-of-the art facilities in the world.
SAINTS – BRONCOS MEMORABLE MOMENTS
The New Orleans Saints and Denver Broncos have played only 12 times, with the Orange Crush having a 9-3 advantage. Below are memorable moments from two of the Saints’ victories in the series, including the most recent in 2020:
NOVEMBER 29, 2020
SAINTS 31, BRONCOS 3, AT EMPOWER FIELD AT MILE HIGH
The game was about the victories on both sides of the ball as the Saints defeated the Broncos 31-3 in Denver, in an empty stadium due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The contest took another odd twist on gameday, when all three of Denver’s quarterbacks were declared out due to COVID19 protocols and wide receiver Kendall Hinton had to take over signal-caller duties. It took until the beginning of the second quarter, at the end of an eight-minute drive for the Saints, to break the deadlock capped off by a one-yard run for Taysom Hill that made it 7-0. Near the end of the first half, Saints linebacker Kwon Alexander recovered a Denver fumble and took it to the Bronco’s 13 yard-line for an eventual easy twoyard rushing touchdown by Hill again to make it 14-0. With 12 seconds left in the first half, cornerback Janoris Jenkins intercepted a wayward pass to put kicker Wil Lutz in field goal position to make a 40-yard kick, pushing it to 17-0 before the halfway mark. At the beginning of the third quarter, both teams exchanged interceptions, Denver being the team that eventually capitalized with their only points of the game in the form of a 58-yard field goal. The next two Saints drives put the game beyond reach as running back Latavius Murray rushed 38 yards for his first touchdown of the day, and added eightyard rush for his second, sealing a 31-3 win.
NOVEMBER 20, 1988
SAINTS 42, BRONCOS 0, AT THE LOUISIANA SUPERDOME
In the most complete performance of the season, the Saints scored six touchdowns on seven possessions in the game and did not allow a potent Denver offense into the end zone. Quarterback Bobby Hebert led the offense to two first-quarter scores, runs by running backs Rueben Mayes and Dalton Hilliard. Hebert found WR Eric Martin for a 40-yard blitz-beater in the second period for another touchdown. Meanwhile, the Broncos gained 149 yards but were called for pass interference after an apparent touchdown, negating the play. Denver missed a field goal on that drive and another just before the half. In the second half, special teams contributed a score, as kick returner Mel Gray scored only the second touchdown on a punt return in Saints history. Hebert went to tight end John Tice on the next drive for a 35-0 lead in the third quarter. The defense held on fourth down inside the New Orleans three-yard line to begin the final quarter. Hebert took the Saints on a mammoth drive, 97 yards in 18 plays, capped by Martin’s second TD catch of the day. The 42-point win was the largest margin in Saints history at the time. Hebert’s 20-23 (87 pct.) passing performance was a Saints record at the time. Mayes gained over 100 yards for the first time in 20 games and Martin finished the contest as the NFL’s leading receiver with 68 catches as New Orleans improved to 9-3.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS VS DENVER BRONCOS
BRONCOS LINEBACKER
JONATHON COOPER
A former college teammate of Saints linebacker Pete Werner and defensive end Chase Young, the Saints offense won’t be sleeping on Cooper tonight with the playmaking ability he possesses. Originally a seventh round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Cooper moved into the starting lineup midway through his rookie season and took advantage of a scheme change in 2023, to start every contest on the outside and lead the team with 8.5 sacks and add an interception and two fumble recoveries. He is big enough (6-foot-4, 257 pounds) to set the edge against the run and has the technique to shove a tackle into the backfield, playing a significant role in Denver becoming a top-five ranked unit. New Orleans will go to battle with Cooper tonight in both the run game and in protecting the quarterback.
SAINTS RUNNING BACK ALVIN KAMARA
The club’s all-time leader in total yards from scrimmage and all-purpose yards, total touchdowns and rushing touchdowns, the versatility of Kamara will be a chess piece that Saints Offensive Coordinator Klint Kubiak will be eager to utilize in a matchup against one of the NFL’s top defenses in both yards allowed and points allowed. The eight-year veteran possesses the ability to make both the routine play to gain yards and first downs, as well as the home run ability to make big plays in the run game and passing game. Both of these will be needed from Kamara in tonight’s battle against the Broncos.
TAKING TO THE INSIDE
Saints third-year cornerback Alontae Taylor is accustomed to change. After a standout high school career at Coffee County High School (Manchester, Tenn.) in which he totaled over 8,000 yards of offense and 75 touchdowns, Taylor was a four-star prospect and consensus top 10 recruit in Tennessee. He committed to the University of Tennessee with the school planning to utilize him at wide receiver. It was not long before that plan changed. In his first spring on campus, his coaches switched him to the other side of the ball, knowing they had something special. In his freshman season at Tennessee in 2018, Taylor became the first true freshman defensive back to start a season opener since 2013.
He went on to have a stellar career for the Vols. Appearing in 45 games with 31 starts and finishing with 162 tackles, four interceptions, 19 pass breakups, three forced fumbles and two interceptions. Off the field, he was a threetime member of the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll and was selected by his peers as vice chair of the SEC Football Leadership Council, where he ended up being instrumental as a student voice in leading the SEC return to play on the field during the COVID19 pandemic.
He was selected by the Saints in the second round (49th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft. Taylor began his rookie season as mainly a contributor on special teams before starting nine of the final 11 games at outside cornerback. He finished his rookie campaign with 45 stops (38 solo), one stop for loss and a team-high 11 pass breakups. That total ranked fourth among NFL rookies and was just the fourth Saints rookie to lead the team in the category.
Entering year two last season, Taylor had to adjust his game again. Head coach Dennis Allen and defensive coordinator Joe Woods moved the defender to the nickel corner posi -
tion near the end of preseason. Like any change, there were bumps along the way, but Taylor began to excel in the role. He appeared in all 17 contests for the Black and Gold and finished with career-highs in tackles (76), sacks (one), interceptions (two), passes breakups (14) and stops for loss (six). His pass breakup total was ninth best in the National Football League.
After a full season under-his-belt at the nickel position, the Taylor had a full offseason to embrace his role and further prepare and came into training camp motivated as ever to be elite in his role.
“I think last year I was kind of back and forth, trying to figure out if I’m going to buy in to playing the nickel or if I really just want to be a corner, and just kind of figuring that part out,” he said. “But now, my mentality is just put it all together, and if I’m going to play the nickel, then I’m going to be the best nickel I can possibly be. If I’m going to play the outside, I’m going to be the best outside corner I can be.”
Early on in training camp, his coaches noticed his improvement from year one to year two in his new position and his desire to excel at his new role.
“The one thing I’ve seen out of Alontae is a want-to and a willingness to do the job that we’re asking him to do,” said Head Coach Dennis Allen. “That’s one of those
things where, look, there’s a lot of noise outside the building as to, should you be a slot corner or an outside corner…And it’s like, just go and make plays. And if you do that everything kind of takes care of itself. I think that’s something that he has really embraced this season. He’s embraced that role as the slot corner.”
Taylor’s improvement and attention to detail have been on full display thus far in 2024. Starting with the season opener, this year felt different in year three and is shaping up to be one to remember when all is said and done. In the Week One 47-10 win over the Carolina Panthers, Taylor had a team-high six tackles to go along with three sacks. Yes, three sacks for the nickel cornerback, the most sacks by a defensive back in franchise history in a single game.
“Last year, we didn’t have too many pressure calls where I got home,” Taylor said. “To see coach Allen call it, he felt the energy we had as a defense, and he felt confident that I was going to get home and everyone was going to do their job. Now, I want the pressure every time come third down.”
Despite a defensive back’s small frame to emphasize movement, Taylor’s speed, instincts and willingness to get in the mix make him a weapon for Allen and Woods’ unit, especially on third downs. Taylor gained another half sack and forced fumble against the Eagles and will see plenty more opportunities in the final 11 games of the season.
When asked what makes Taylor such a special blitzer, Allen said, “Well, he’s fast. That would be number one, and he’s aggressive. It’s one thing to say you’re going to send somebody on a pressure, but they have to be willing to go in and deal with the noise that’s in there. Every now and then it’s a little noisy, and there’s a big 300-pound offensive lineman and things of that nature.”
Through the first five games of the season (game program went to press on Oct. 11), Taylor has been a stud for New Orleans’ secondary. He has racked up 29 tackles (22 solo), a career-best 3.5 sacks, six stops for loss, four pass breakups and two forced fumbles. He leads the team in tackles for loss and forced fumbles while he ranks second on the team in stops, sacks and passes defensed. Taylor has been a key piece of a Saints secondary that has allowed a league-best one passing touchdown through the first five contests and ranks third with seven interceptions.
Tonight, in prime time, Taylor and the rest of the Black and Gold defense will look to disrupt a young and improving Broncos offense led by rookie quarterback Bo Nix. Look for Taylor to continue to make plays in the secondary while also coming after signal-callers on special packages when asked to.
DREW BREES SAINTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTION
With so many connections for tonight’s Saints-Denver Broncos matchup at the Caesars Superdome, it is rightfully fitting that the day will also be when former New Orleans signal-caller Drew Brees is inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame for a 15-year playing career that produced excellence on and off the field for the Black and Gold. While Brees will be formally inducted at a luncheon prior to the contest, he will also be recognized by the team in a halftime ceremony in front of the fans. During his tenure with the Saints from 2006-20 after signing with the club as an unrestricted free agent from the San Diego Chargers, in 228 regular season starts Brees led the NFL and shattered the club’s record books with 68,010 passing yards, 491 touchdown passes, 8,742 attempts, 6,017 completions, a 68.8 completion percentage, 116 games with at least 300 yards passing, 16 with at least 400 and 518 completions of 25 yards or more, during which time his record as a starter for the team was 151-94 (61.6 pct.) in the regular season and postseason combined, easily making him the winningest signal-caller in franchise history.
BELOW IS A TIMELINE OF BREES’ GREATEST MOMENTS AS A SAINT:
New Orleans kicks off their 40th regular season with Brees’ first career start as a Saint in a 19-14 victory at the Cleveland Browns.
On the national stage of Sunday Night Football, the Saints improve to 9-4 with a 42-17 win at Dallas. Brees throws five touchdown passes to be selected NFC Offensive Player of the Week. The Saints go on to win the NFC South division title for the first time and advance to the NFC Championship for the first time. Brees is named the Sports Illustrated NFL Most Valuable Player and an Associated Press All-Pro and Pro Bowl starter.
Brees signs a five-year contract with New Orleans as an unrestricted free agent.
In the first contest in the Superdome since it was used a shelter of last resort during Hurricane Katrina, Brees makes his first career start in a refurbished stadium, as the Saints defeat the Atlanta Falcons, 23-3, on Monday Night Football.
Playing in their first regular season game outside the United States, the Saints defeat the San Diego Chargers 37-32 at London’s Wembley Stadium. In playing his former team for the first time, Brees is named NFC Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 339 yards and three touchdowns. Brees finishes the 2008 season with 5,069 passing yards, what were the second-most in a season in NFL history at the time, trailing only Dan Marino’s 5,084 in 1984. He is named AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
Brees helps engineer a 31-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV. Brees was named the game’s MVP when he completed 32-of-39 passes for 288 yards with two touchdowns and a 114.5 passer rating, tying the Super Bowl record for completions at the time.
In a 38-17 Monday night win over New England, where the Saints average a clubrecord 9.6 yards per play, Brees completes 18-of-23 passes for 371 yards with five touchdowns. His career-high passer rating was only the second perfect rating in club history. Brees captures NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors as the Saints improve to 11-0.
Brees breaks Marino’s 27-year old singleseason passing yardage record of 5,084 yards when he connects on a nine-yard touchdown pass to RB Darren Sproles in a Monday Night Football victory over Atlanta. New Orleans would finish the season 13-3 and advance to the NFC Divisional Playoff, as part of a campaign where he would be selected the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year for the second time.
In Brees’ return to the lineup after missing his first game as a professional due to injury (shoulder), he completes 33-of-41 passes for 359 yards and two TDs, leading the Saints to a 26-20 overtime victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. The win comes on the second play from scrimmage in overtime, an 80-yard touchdown throw to RB C.J. Spiller, and also marked the first overtime TD pass of Brees’ career.
In the second quarter of a come-from-behind 34-30 win at Cincinnati, Brees becomes the club’s all-time passing yardage leader.
Brees sets the NFL record on a first quarter 40-yard scoring throw to WR Devery Henderson with his 48th consecutive game with a touchdown pass, breaking a mark previously held by Johnny Unitas since 1960 in a 31-24 Sunday Night Football win over the Chargers, the franchise’s 300th win. Brees’ streak would extend to 54 games.
In a win at the Arizona Cardinals, Brees completes 37-of-48 passes for 389 yards, three touchdowns and a 127.9 passer rating, collecting his 100th regular season victory as Saints signal-caller.
Brees completes 39-of-50 passes for 505 yards, a 131.7 passer rating and an NFL-record-tying seven touchdown passes as the Saints defeat the New York Giants 52-49. Brees became only the second player to pass for 500 yards and seven touchdowns in a single game, on his way to being named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week.
With a 62-yard TD pass to rookie WR Tre’Quan Smith, Brees becomes the NFL’s all-time passing yardage leader at the time in a 43-19 Monday Night Football win over Washington. Brees would finish the 2018 season surpassing his prior NFL record for completion percentage (74.4) and the Saints would finish 13-3 with the number one seed in the NFC Playoffs and advance to the NFC Championship for the third time.
Brees announces his retirement after a 20-year NFL playing career, the last 15 with New Orleans. Brees, whose record as a starter for the Saints was 151-94 (.616) in the regular season, was easily the winningest signal-caller in franchise history. Brees retires as the holder of virtually every passing record in club record books with his 15 years of service and 228 regular season starts for the Black and Gold, both the highest totals in the team’s history. From 2006-20, Brees led the NFL with 68,010 passing yards, 491 touchdown passes, 8,742 attempts, 6,017 completions, a 68.8 completion percentage, 116 games with at least 300 yards passing, 16 with at least 400 and 518 completions of 25 yards or more. “After 20 years as a player in the NFL and 15 years as a Saint, it is time I retire from the game of football,” said Brees in a statement thanking and praising the team’s fans. “Each day I poured my heart and soul into being your Quarterback. ‘Til the very end, I exhausted myself to give everything I had to the Saints organization, my team and the great city of New Orleans. We shared some amazing moments together, many of which are emblazoned in our hearts and minds and will forever be a part of us. You have molded me, strengthened me, inspired me and given me a lifetime of memories. My goal for the last 15 years was striving to give you everything you had given to me and more.”
Brees becomes only the third quarterback in NFL history with 70,000 career passing yards in what is a resurgent season for the Saints, capturing the NFC South for the first time since 2011 and advancing to the NFC Divisional playoff round after defeating the Carolina Panthers for the third time in the season in a 31-26 NFC Wild Card Playoff victory.
With a third quarter, fiveyard TD pass to TE Josh Hill, Brees becomes the NFL’s all-time scoring pass leader at the time, with his 541st, surpassing Peyton Manning in a 34-7 win on Monday Night Football over Indianapolis.
200
LB Demario Davis will play in his 200th career game tonight.
37
37
On Monday, October 7, at Kansas City, Khalen Saunders’ 37-yard interception return was the longest by a Saints defensive tackle in club history.
15
On Monday, October 7 at Kansas City, TE Foster Moreau caught the 15th touchdown of his NFL career in the fourth quarter. The six-yard connection was also the 250th career touchdown pass for QB Derek Carr.
College: University of Memphis
Degree: Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics
Years With Team: 1
HALEY SAINTS CHEER KREWE
Haley’s Saints Cheer Krewe Journey: Haley began dancing at the age of two. She continued dancing throughout her teenage years on her competitive high school dance team, as well as at her hometown studio. Following high school, Haley began her college studies at LSU where she was a two-year member of the LSU Tiger Girls Dance Team. She then transferred to the University of Memphis, where she was also a two-year member of the University of Memphis Pom Squad Dance Team. Following college, Haley knew her dancing career wasn’t over! Haley spent five seasons dancing in the NBA as a Memphis Grizzlies Grizz Girl, serving as a team captain for her final two seasons. Fast forward to now - she is a mom of 3 young boys and is so grateful for the opportunity to be back dancing and performing for the best fans in the NFL! GEAUX SAINTS!!
What has been the best thing about being a member of the Saints Cheer Krewe? The best thing for me so far is that I am finally filling MY cup again. So many of us, myself included, spend time doing things because we think it’s what we SHOULD be doing. Or we pour into other people’s cups, but not our own. Over the past couple of years, I have really started looking at that more closely. What brings me joy? What fills my cup? And for me – it’s dancing. It’s being a part of this incredible organization. It’s being a member of the Saints Cheer Krewe!
What keeps you motivated? My kids, my family – my heart beats for them!
How do you balance being a Saints Cheer Krewe member with your daily life? Oh, this is a good one! And to be honest, I feel like being a Saints Cheer Krewe member has actually helped to keep me more grounded and help me with better time management each week. I also love a good planner! I keep mine with me everywhere I go and color-code everything! Yes, I’m very much personality type A.
Who is a significant role model in your life? My mother. She is truly the most incredible woman I have ever known. I strive to be like her and I praise God for giving me her.
What are the top three accomplishments you’re most proud of outside of joining the Saints Cheer Krewe? My top three accomplishments are my three beautiful children! (Of course, my husband is pretty awesome too.) But wow – having children of your own teaches you a love unlike anything you’ve ever known. I’m so proud to be mom, mama, mommy to my three boys!
What is the best advice you have ever been given? “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” I think about that often, and I am so grateful to do what I love and call it work.
What do you like to do in your spare time? I’m a fitness fanatic! You can usually catch me working out or going for a run in my spare time!
What is the trait that you admire most in other people and why? Honesty. For someone to be truthful, legitimate in all that they say and do, that is something I admire so much.
If you could have dinner for one night with any historical person, who would it be and why? Princess Diana – she is just such an icon. Beautiful inside and out – she was a loving mother and such a charitable person.
What is your biggest piece of advice to the younger generation? Always live in the present moment – it all goes by so fast. Be where you are NOW. Once the moment is gone, you never get it back.
State University
Degree: Veterinary Technician
Years With Team: 4 Seasons & Cheer Captain
KIERRA SAINTS CHEER KREWE
Kierra’s Saints Cheer Krewe Journey: Kierra started taking dance and gymnastics classes at the age of 3 at Gwen Reese School of dance (Natchitoches) followed by Elite school of Dance (Baton Rouge), and continued on at Dance Graphics in Lafayette. Kierra continued her gymnastics training at Mr. AJs Gym in Carencro. When her parents moved to Texas, she discovered her new passion in All-Star cheerleading. She was on level 4/5 teams for both Rebel Yell All Stars and Team Texas. She also danced for the rival team as a Junior Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader for three years, even though she still bleeds Black and Gold! Following in her mom’s footsteps, Kierra became a legacy cheerleader at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. Kierra decided after college cheerleading, the next level of her cheer career was becoming a professional dancer or cheerleader! While training year-round for tryouts she was also a semi-pro dancer for teams in the Dallas area. She was a Dallas Marshals Dancer for one season and Mesquite Outlaws Dancer for two seasons. When not cheering, Kierra is a fulltime Veterinary Technician and a high school cheer coach. Kierra cannot wait to get back on to the field and cheer on her favorite team in the NFL!
What has been the best thing about being a member of the Saints Cheer Krewe? I love everything about this team. I have so many memories to cherish from my past three seasons.
What keeps you motivated? My family keeps me motivated! I am the oldest of my siblings and I want to show them you can accomplish anything you put your mind to!
Who is a significant role model in your life?
The women in my family are all great role models. They each have played a significant role in my development. I literally can’t go more than a week without talking to my mom and auntie.
What are the top three accomplishments you’re most proud of? I’m self-sufficient. I’m a very skilled and knowledgeable veterinary technician. I was the first Saints Cheer Krewe member to do a double tuck basket in the Superdome!
What is the best advice you have ever been given? Be where your feet are and
What is the trait that you admire most in other people and why? Creativity. When people find their niche in this world and blossom into their full potential they
If you had the opportunity to travel anywhere, where would it be and why? Honestly back in time and spend a little bit more time with my grandmother. She’s taught me so much and was one of my biggest cheerleaders! She’s the one who told me one day I would be cheering for the Saints while we were watching a game. I wish she was here to see it, but I know she’s very proud of me.
If you could have dinner for one night with any historical person, who would it be Maya Angelou. She was a very inspirational person. As a person that enjoys the arts, her poems were so beautifully written and deep. She was a powerful civil rights activist. I would have loved to sit down with her and just talk about life.
What is your biggest piece of advice to the younger generation? Don’t ever give up on your dreams, no matter how long it takes you to accomplish them. Everything takes time.
Hill, Taysom
Anfernee
Spencer QB 6-0/211 9/28/00 R S outh Carolina Phoenix, Ariz. 95 Ridgeway III, John DT 6-5/321 5/7/99 3
Bloomington, Ill. 51 Ruiz, Cesar C/G 6-4/316
Sean Payton enters his second season with the Denver Broncos after being named the 20th head coach in franchise history on Feb. 3, 2023. In his first season with the club in 2023, the Broncos finished with their best record since 2016 at 8-9. A 35-year coaching veteran with 25 seasons of NFL experience, Payton joined the Broncos after spending 15 years as New Orleans’ head coach (2006-21). While with the Saints, Payton accumulated a regular-season record of 152-89-0 and a 9-8 record in the playoffs. He also led the franchise to its first Super Bowl championship (Super Bowl XLIV) during the 2009 season along with making two NFC Championship Game appearances, winning seven NFC South Division titles and making nine playoff trips. With New Orleans, Payton helped lead an offense that ranked in the top 10 in each season from 2006-19. In his first season with the Saints
DENVER BRONCOS KEY PLAYERS
in 2006, he received unanimous NFL Coach of the Year honors after leading the team to a 10-6 record. Prior to joining New Orleans, he spent three years on the Dallas Cowboys staff as assistant head coach quarterbacks (2003-05). Payton got his first NFL offensive coordinator position with the New York Giants (2000-02) after spending one season as the team’s quarterbacks coach (1999). He first entered the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles as their quarterbacks coach (1997-98). BACKGROUND: Attended Eastern Illinois (1983-86). Coached collegiately at Illinois (1996), Miami (Ohio) (1994-95), San Diego State (1988-89; ’92-93) and Indiana State (1990-91). Had brief playing stops with the Chicago Bruisers (AFL), Ottawa Rough Riders (CFL) and Chicago Bears in 1987. Personal: Born Dec. 29, 1963, in San Mateo, Calif. Payton is married to Skylene. He has one daughter, Meghan, and one son, Connor.
SEAN PAYTON - HEAD COACH
RILEY
PUNTER
Frank T 6-7/315 05-14-00 R Wyoming Laramie, Wyo
9 Dixon, Riley P 6-4/221 08-24-93 9 Syracuse O neida, N.Y. 80 Dulcich, Greg TE 6-4/245 03-26-00
Fraboni, Mitchell
6-2/223 10-28-96 3 Arizona S tate Phoenix, Ariz. 16 Franklin, Troy WR 6-3/187 02-06-03 R Oregon East Palo Alto, Calif.
98 Franklin-Myers, John DE 6-4/288 09-26-96 7
W/L Score Opponent
9/8 W 47 - 10 C arolina Panthers
9/15 W 4 4 - 19 a t Dallas Cowboys
9/22 L 12 - 15 P hiladelphia Eagles
9/29 L 24 - 26 a t Atlanta Falcons
10/7 L 13 - 26 a t Kansas City Chiefs
4th
4th
4th
4th
OWNERSHIP BRONCOS STATISTICS
OVER THE TOP
are for 40 yards or more in distance.
In the October 7 Monday Night Football Contest against the Kansas City Chiefs, WR Rashid Shaheed came down with a 43-yard touchdown pass from QB Derek Carr in the second quarter. It was Rasheed’s team-leading third touchdown grab of the season, all of which
