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PRE-GAME ENTERTAINMENT
Color Guard New Orleans Military & Maritime Academy
American Flag Unveiling Saints Season Ticket Holders
Saints Flags Unveiling Saints Season Ticket Holders
NATIONAL ANTHEM ALANA BUCKLEY
Alana Ja’na Buckley is a local recording artist who developed a passion for singing when she was four. Alana has performed at the Louisiana State Capitol, National Flag Day at the USS Kidd, USATF Southern Association Championship outdoor track and field meets, USATF Southern Association Junior Olympic Outdoor Track and Field Championships, the LHSAA high school state track meet, various LSU sporting events, and at New Orleans Pelicans and New Orleans Saints games.
CHAMPIONS SQUARE ENTERTAINMENT
JAMES MARTIN BAND
Built on a foundation of funky drumming, Cuban percussion, aerobatic sousaphone, soulful vocals, and virtuosic soloing, the band has inspired crowds to move their bodies all over the world with performances including Jazz in Duketown and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Breda Jazz Fest in the Netherlands, the Port-au-Prince Jazz Festival in Haiti, the Copenhagen Jazz Fest in Denmark, the Tel Aviv Jazz Fest in Israel, and Scotland’s Edinburgh Jazz Fest, and can be found entertaining regularly in New Orleans at the Spotted Cat, the Carousel Lounge, and Tipitina's. James’ music appears frequently on CBS' NCIS: New Orleans and has been heard on Anthony Bourdain's Raw Craft, as the voice and arranger of Popeyes Chicken commercials, and an episode of Abu Dhabi TV where James was highlighted representing New Orleans music to an international audience. James is active in the local community as demonstrated in his past work teaching music to incarcerated youths at the Travis Hill School through the Preservation Hall program as well as the 2024 clinician for the New Orleans Junior High District Honor Jazz Band.
IN-GAME ENTERTAINMENT
HALFTIME
Sir Saint Storyville Jazz Band Saints Cheer Krewe
As part of the NFL’s “Play Football” initiatives, several youth flag football teams will play on the Caesars Superdome field at halftime.
LEGEND OF THE GAME TE TONY JOHNSON
This Mississippi native starred at Alabama, where he won a national championship. He was originally selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round of the 1996 NFL Draft. Johnson then joined the Black and Gold in 1996, where as a rookie he played in nine games with seven starts and caught seven passes for 76 yards with one touchdown. In four seasons (1996-99), he caught nine passes for 97 yards with one score and added eight special teams tackles. Following his retirement from the NFL in 2001, Johnson has utilized his leadership skills in a successful business career, where he currently serves as the managing partner of “Pylon Partners,” which focuses on corporate and organizational team enhancement and professional development, maximizing the potential of key personnel through coaching and mentorship. Johnson also is active in Saints alumni affairs, annually playing in the team’s Hall of Fame Golf Tournament, and other community events.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
People’s Health Champion
Entergy Lineman: Powering Saints Nation
Community Coffee Military Moment
50/50 RAFFLE
50% OF THE PROCEEDS OF TODAY’S 50/50 RAFFLE WILL BENEFIT THE LOUISIANA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION.
Gumbo
SAFETY COMES FIRST
In the National Football League, player safety has always been a priority. In recent years, the league has utilized many cutting-edge approaches to reduce injuries, especially head trauma-related issues. The NFL has been trying to make safety a focal point so that players can play in the NFL for longer periods. There also is a priority placed on the avoidance of post-playing career problems.
One focus of the league has been providing another option for helmets, called Guardian Caps, during practices and games. Guardian Caps have gained traction during the offseason for not just NFL teams and players, but for high school football as well. Promoting a safer game as a whole is what the NFL wants, and the New Orleans Saints have stuck to that message.
Saints Quarterback Derek Carr and Defensive End Payton Turner made appearances at local high schools in the New Orleans community, making Guardian Caps donations to their football programs. This was part of a wide-ranging effort in the 2024 offseason led by Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis, Head Coach Dennis Allen and the team’s players to donate Guardian Caps to high schools. Carr visited East Jefferson High School in Metairie to talk with the team about school, life, and most of all, safety on the football field. After speaking in the locker room in front of the team and coaching staff, and making a donation to the program, Carr said that he just loves advocating for the game.
“I just love promoting football,” said the Black and Gold’s signal caller. “One positive way to promote football is to make it safe, especially for parents to feel comfortable with their kids out there on the field. I would do anything to promote tackle football, and anything to promote just how beautiful the game is.”
East Jefferson High School Head Football Coach Brian Glover was extremely proud to be able to receive Guardian Caps for his team. He, his coaching staff and his players are grateful to be able to receive the caps, and he is excited to put them into use.
“It is a great honor to receive,” said Glover. “It is a great gesture by Derek Carr and the Saints organization to donate these protective Guardian Caps to local high schools in the community. These are going to go a long way, and we are very appreciative.”
As a football coach for developing young men, Glover is proud that they have another option for their team so that football can be a safer game.
“(We value) anything that can help promote safety as coaches,” Glover said. “Injuries happen all the time, so it is amazing to see that these kids have another avenue and another layer of protection for the head.”
Turner appeared at Haynes Academy in Metairie while the team was working out after previously making a donation to Westside High School in his native Houston. He made a speech to the magnet school’s football team about how safety and football can mesh together, and how the first step in that direction is different options for helmets. He expressed his excitement to get involved in the New Orleans community, especially to advertise the game getting safer.
“There is stigma around brain injuries and not enough safety in this sport,” said the Saints’ 2021 first round selection. “Just to be able to encourage kids to keep playing and to stay safe while doing so is huge. It just feels good to promote ways to make the game safer here.”
Haynes Academy Assistant Coach Steve Stropolo thinks that the Guardian Caps are much needed. They will be able to get more done every day to improve their football team with these caps, he said.
“I think for us it is going to be terrific,” said Stropolo. “Practice time for us is extremely valuable, and with the extra layer of protection, we can do a few more things than we normally do. I think it is going to help us out tremendously.”
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
GAYLE BENSON OWNER
eve of hosting Super Bowl LIX on February 9, 2025. The Caesars Superdome has been sold out on 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 of 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 of 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 with 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, which advocates 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 was 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 Distinguished 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. This 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 following nearly two centuries of wear and tear, water damage and settling.
Mrs. Benson’s support of the Catholic Church has been recognized on numerous occasions. In 2002, she received the Medal of the Order of St. Louis Award for dedication to the Catholic 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. 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 member 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.
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 extensive 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 of 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
RICK
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.
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 - SENIOR
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 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’ meeting and practice schedules, the team’s daily football
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-.
calendar and orchestration of team and staff 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
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
• 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 – TITANS MEMORABLE MOMENTS
In the regular season, New Orleans has faced the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans franchise 17 times, dating back to their first matchup in 1971.
Tennessee holds a narrow 9-7-1 lead, after the Saints defeated the Titans 16-15, in the 2023 season opener at the Caesars Superdome. In the preseason, New Orleans holds a 15-14-1 edge, with the 30 exhibitions between the clubs making the Titans the Saints’ most common preseason opponent.
SEPTEMBER 10, 2023
SAINTS 16, TITANS 15 AT THE CAESARS SUPERDOME
The Saints started the 2023 season off on the right foot with a 16-15 win over the Tennessee Titans at the Caesars Superdome. The win was not a pretty one, as both teams combined for eight punts, eight field goals, four interceptions, two fumbles, and seven sacks, but the New Orleans defense kept the Titans out of the end zone for the entire contest, including three red zone trips. Titans K Nick Folk opened the scoring with a 50-yard field goal, but Saints K Blake Grupe was not too far behind with a 26-yard kick of his own just over three minutes later. The field goals would go back and forth between the two teams for almost three quarters until CB Paulson Adebo intercepted QB Ryan Tannehill at Tennessee’s 33-yard line, which set QB Derek Carr up for a short field to throw his first touchdown pass as a Saint to WR/RS Rashid Shaheed for 19 yards, putting the Saints up by seven. Tennessee did not give up, putting up two more field goals on the board in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to one. The Saints had the ball up one on their own 29-yard line with 2:12 left on the clock, and Tennessee had all three timeouts left, hoping to make three quick stops to force a punt and get the ball back. However, Carr and the Saints’ offense drove all the way to the Tennessee nine-yard line to run out the clock, which was highlighted by a 41-yard completion to Shaheed on third down.
DECEMBER 22, 2019
SAINTS 38, TITANS 28 AT NISSAN STADIUM
In Week 16, New Orleans became the first Saints squad to have back-to-back regular seasons of at least 12 wins, defeating the Titans at Nissan Stadium. The two clubs traded punts to start, but on Tennessee’s second drive, the Titans capitalized on a 41-yard touchdown connection from QB Ryan Tannehill to TE Jonnu Smith. The Titans jumped ahead 14-0 on a 49-yard rushing touchdown by WR A.J. Brown after forcing another Saints punt. New Orleans started the second quarter with a 47-yard field goal by K Wil Lutz, with the clubs then trading punts two more times. After a Tennessee series where DE Cameron Jordan and LB Demario Davis recorded sacks to force a punt, immediately after the change in possession, QB Drew Brees connected with TE Jared Cook for a 61-yard touchdown to cut the halftime deficit to 14-10. New Orleans took the ball out of the second half and RB Alvin Kamara scored for the first time since Week Three with a 40-yard touchdown, following up the long score with a one-yard rush into the end zone later in the quarter. The clubs then traded touchdowns late in the third quarter on back-toback possessions for the Saints to hold a 31-21 lead going into the final period. Rookie DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson had a forced fumble/recovery and returned it 37 yards with 4:06 left to put New Orleans at the Titans 25-yard line. Brees and WR Michael Thomas sealed the victory for New Orleans, connecting on a two-yard touchdown. Two plays earlier on a 13-yard grab from QB Taysom Hill, Thomas set the NFL single-season receptions record, finishing the game at 145.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS VS TENNESSEE TITANS
TITANS RUNNING BACK
TYJAE SPEARS
Tyjae Spears has been on New Orleanians’ radar since helping Tulane win the 2022 Cotton Bowl in his last college game, with a performance of 17 carries for 205 yards with four touchdowns earning him the game’s Most Outstanding Player honors. As a third round pick of the Titans in 2023, Spears was slotted behind Derrick Henry, but he had a productive rookie season, averaging 4.5 yards per carry and over seven yards per reception. With Henry vacating the starting slot, Spears looks to keep the ball rolling in his sophomore season, as he hopes to form a “Thunder and Lightning” combination with free agent acquisition Tony Pollard in the backfield.
SAINTS DEFENSIVE TACKLE
BRYAN BRESEE
New Orleans’ top draft choice in 2023, Bresee played in all 17 games his rookie season, contributing on the defensive line rotation. The former Clemson standout recorded 24 tackles, 4.5 sacks for a loss of 42 yards, seven stops for loss and six passes defensed. Bresee’s 4.5 sacks ranked sixth among all rookies. The second-year pro will look to build upon his debut season to fortify the Black and Gold interior. Following an impressive training camp and preseason, today’s contest will be another opportunity for Bresee and the New Orleans front to show the progress they continue to make both against the run and rushing the passer.
SAINTS LOOK TO MAKE WAVES IN 2024
After the third consecutive season without a playoff berth, a three-campaign period marked by significant transition and challenges, the New Orleans Saints are hungrier than ever to get back to the postseason and to make a splash across the National Football League in 2024.
The 2024 version of the Saints is not only made up of determined and driven returning players, but also important free agents and newcomers who have come to shake things up in the 504. Dennis Allen now has two seasons as head coach for the Saints under his belt, with his emphasis in training camp building up the level of intensity, leadership and maturity of the squad to build off a campaign where they returned to their winning ways when they won four of their last five games to finish 9-8 and narrowly miss a playoff berth. Some seasoned veterans look to put the cherry on top of already fruitful NFL careers, like LB Demario Davis, DE Cameron Jordan and S Tyrann Mathieu, who have a combined 36 years of very productive experience. Others like WRs Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, TE Juwan Johnson, DE Carl Granderson and cornerbacks Paulson Adebo and Alontae Taylor look to build off of promising starts to their careers. Furthermore, both free agency and the 2024 NFL draft watched the Saints bring in potential game-changers on both sides of the ball.
Allen is more than prepared to lead his team into battle with all the variables he has experienced in two years and prepare his squad to overcome adversity. Injuries were the tale of the tape in 2022, and in 2023 some key players missed significant time also. QB Derek Carr and C Erik McCoy were the only offensive players to start and play in every game last year, with even Carr being forced to leave three games due
to injury. The defensive side did not have an issue with starters missing time due to injury, with six starters playing in every game, but the team is always looking to increase depth.
Allen spoke to how the season went last year, and spoke highly of what he thinks of the Saints’ future.
“The past three years have not been good enough, especially the past two with me being the head coach going 7-10 and 9-8,” said Allen. “We have gone through this pattern before of success, struggle, then success again. We had our success in 201720, and we have had some struggle recently, so I think the success we are accustomed to is on the horizon.”
Carr spoke about how much he trusts Allen as someone he looks to in leading this team and has a shared vision with.
“Hopefully, I can be successful and help him have more success,” said the Saints signal caller. “That’s ultimately what I want to do, is just see him succeed. I believe in him so much and I believe in men I go to battle with so much and want great things for them.”
A pair of defensive free agents were signed in the offseason in LB Willie Gay Jr. and DE Chase Young, who enhance competition in their position groups while also adding depth in those areas.
Gay agreed to terms on a one-year contract in March to solidify New Orleans’ linebacker room, with the loss of a couple contributors from the past two seasons. Since being selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Chiefs, the Starkville, Miss., native has appeared in 57 regular season games with 47 starts and recorded 231 tackles (148 solo), 17 stops for loss, five sacks, four interception returns for 85 yards with one touchdown, 19 passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries. He started all nine postseason contests he appeared in with the Chiefs, including two Super Bowl victories, bringing valuable big game experience to the Crescent City.
Gay’s quality and impressive resume with Kansas City has Davis, a fellow Mississippi native, excited to play with him.
“Willie is phenomenal,” said Davis. “He is fast, explosive, smart and physical, so he can really do it all. His career will be whatever he wants it to be, and he has the world in front of him. You don’t have to turn on the tape long to see him, he really jumps out at you. I definitely think he will help us, so I’m excited about that.”
Davis also thinks that the linebacker room is dangerous because of their consistency.
“We are always trying to be one of the top units,” said the five-time All-Pro. “It all starts at the top with coaching, and Mike Hodges is one of the best I’ve ever been around. We just try to stay extremely consistent, and it certainly helps when you have great, talented players in the room like Willie and Pete [Werner].”
Young agreed to terms on a one-year contract in March as well to bolster the Saints’ defensive line room. New Orleans had 34 sacks as a team in 2023, which was tied for 29th in the league. It is something that the former defensive rookie of the year and pro bowler can help with. Since being selected as the second overall pick by the Washington Commanders in 2020, he’s appeared in 43 regular season games with 32 starts and totaled 100 tackles (67 solo), 16.5 sacks, 20 stops for loss, nine passes defensed, six forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
Jordan thinks that Young will be a menacing threat on their defensive line when he gets fully healthy.
“I think Chase Young is going to be great for our defense,” said the 14-year NFL veteran. “We already got Carl Granderson, who’s been stellar these last couple of years. I think we will grow with him being on the opposite side when he gets the right health, physically. He’s going to be another piece we can add on, and I think it adds another weapon to our defense.”
With those two daunting additions, the New Orleans Saints defense is shaping up nicely. The Black and Gold have a lot of returners on the defensive side of the ball, and they will look to grow off their significant accomplishments. In 2023, the Saints had great success in a lot of areas defensively as they were top ten in total passing, scoring and red zone defense, and top five in the league on third down.
New Orleans’ secondary should continue to be a strength. As a unit, they helped the defense finish tenth in the NFL last season in opponent passing yards per game. They are returning a stalwart Mathieu and 2023 rookie standout Jordan Howden, as well as the defensive back group of Paulson Adebo, Alontae Taylor, Johnathan Abram, Jordan Howden, Marshon Lattimore, and second round pick Kool-aid McKinstry. The safety position alongside Mathieu is up for grabs with several candidates who bring different strengths to the table.
Lattimore has been nothing short of elite over his seven years in the league, rightfully earning recognition as one of the best cornerbacks in the league. Injuries have plagued him the past two years, missing 17 games the last two seasons, including the last seven in 2023. The ten games he did play last season, he stymied opposing wideouts with his quick, agile feet, paired with his never-ending tenacity. On the other side of Lattimore, Adebo has proven himself as a playmaker. In 15 games last season with 15 starts, he recorded 76 tackles (60 solo), and two club-bests in 18 passes defensed, four interceptions and two fumble recoveries to lead the team with six takeaways.
Taylor has worked his way into being a staple in the Black and Gold uniform. He accumulated 75 tackles (56 solo), one sack, two interceptions and six stops for loss.
Mathieu was an elite piece to New Orleans’ defense in 2023. The New Orleans native and LSU standout was the only player in the secondary to start and play every game for the Saints, and he tallied 75 tackles (50 solo), nine passes defensed and tied a team-high with four interceptions.
Examining the front-seven, the Saints relied heavily on Granderson to deliver and he did not disappoint. The sixth-year pro smashed all of his career-highs last season, making him an invaluable piece on the defensive line as he started and played in every game last season. He recorded career-highs in tackles (78), solo tackles (44) and sacks (8.5), while adding a team-best 14 tackles for loss and one forced fumble. The eight and a half sacks he accumulated last season were a team-best as well, and he looks to be even more motivated this season after his career-year.
New Orleans’ defensive line is exploding with talent and reliability, as every starter played in every contest in 2023. Jordan has been as reliable as they come for a defensive end, and that did not stop last season. He tallied 43 tackles (20 solo), two sacks, three stops for loss and three passes defensed, despite playing the last six contests with a nagging foot injury. He looks to keep his production up in year 13 for New Orleans. Young, 2021 first round draft choice Payton Turner, and Isaiah Foskey, a secondyear edge out of Notre Dame, where he set the school record for sacks.
On the interior of the line, a group of runstoppers with playmaking ability rule the roost. Nathan Shepherd, Khalen Saunders and Bryan Bresee all held the fort down last season. Shepherd, Saunders and Bresee will form a rotation with rookie Khristian Boyd and several other candidates competing for snaps in the preseason. Boyd was a sixth round selection out of Northern Iowa and looks to provide depth and physicality against the run.
Shepherd and Saunders both started every game while providing valuable production on the inside. Shepherd recorded career-highs in tackles (50), solo tackles (26) and sacks (three) while adding four stops for loss. Saunders accumulated 57 tackles (24 solo), one stop for loss and one pass breakup. Former Clemson standout and 2023 first round draft choice, Bryan Bresee, proved himself last year in New Orleans. He was third on the team in sacks (4.5) and third in stops for loss (seven) while adding six pass breakups. The trio will bring continuity to the interior.
Assisting in the defensive scheme will be the linebackers, headlined by Davis. He started and played every game last season, and was the only linebacker to achieve that feat. He has racked up at least 100 tackles in each of the last six seasons for New Orleans, lead-
ing the defense to a top-five mark in rushing yards allowed per game in four of those last six seasons. Davis has been selected as an AP All-Pro the last five seasons, and got his second Pro Bowl nod in a row in 2023. Davis will serve as a seasoned veteran in a linebacker room that includes Werner, Gay and additional competition among Anfernee Orji, Jaylan Ford, Nephi Sewell and many other challengers.
A second round pick in 2021, Werner has found his niche in New Orleans. He made an immediate impact on defense and special teams, and he has since been a solid contributor. He started and played in 16 games last year and recorded 93 total tackles (60 solo), four tackles for loss, one interception and two fumble recoveries. With Werner signing a threeyear extension in training camp, Gay brings playmaking abilities to one of the team’s most consistent position groups.
Offense starts with the quarterbacks, and there is no one more determined to make a difference in New Orleans than Carr. An 11-year NFL veteran, last year was his first in the Black and Gold, where he accumulated 3,878 yards, 25 touchdowns, (which was good for tenth in the league), and only eight interceptions. Carr completed 68.4% of his passes last season, which was tied for third-best in his career and
sixth in the NFL. The final six games of the 2023 campaign, Carr found his groove, throwing for 1,343 yards on nearly 75% completion, 15 touchdowns and just three interceptions with a quarterback rating of 117.2. Carr and the rest of the quarterback room will have a new system under Offensive Coordinator Klint Kubiak and a wide arsenal of weapons for 2024, including RBs Alvin Kamara and Jamaal WIlliams, Chris Olave, and Rashid Shaheed at the wideout position, Taysom Hill in his multipurpose role with Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau at tight end.
The backfield duo of Kamara and Williams will be relied on by the Saints this year in the ground game and catching the ball.
Kamara has been one of the most dynamic playmakers the NFL has ever seen since being drafted by the Saints in 2017. The former Tennessee standout has racked up the most touchdowns (54), total touchdowns (78) and all-purpose yardage (10,706) in Saints history in just seven seasons. Kamara became the first Saint to reach 10,000 career yards from scrimmage (10,048) in 2023, and tied WRs Marques Colston and Joe Horn for the most seasons with at least 75 catches in franchise history. He also became the fastest running back in NFL history to get to 3,000 rush yards and 3,000 receiving yards. The 5-10, 215 pound running back can
do it all, and he looks to add more to his extensive resume in 2024.
Williams was with Detroit in 2022 before signing with the Saints in free agency last year, which is when he had his best season. He led the league and set a Lions single-season franchise record with 17 rushing touchdowns, and he also rushed for 1,066 yards. Williams was the first Lions rusher to achieve the 1,000 yard mark since 2013, as he hopes to avoid injuries and settle into his role.
The wide receiver room saw an influx of talent and experience in the offseason. While sophomore year WRs Olave and Shaheed led the offensive effort last year, a new face emerged in the rookie A.T. Perry. The 6’5”, 205 pound receiver came into his own and proved himself to be a reliable target for Carr. He caught 12 balls for 246 yards, (20.5 yards avg.). Perry will compete for snaps in the preseason as the Saints evaluate if his production can translate over a full season.
Olave in his first two seasons has made an immediate impact in New Orleans. He led the way last season for the offense as he appeared and started in 16 games, finishing with a team-high 87 receptions for a club-best 1,123 yards and five touchdowns. Olave has surpassed the 1,000 yard mark in both seasons and will look to do even
OWNERSHIP SEASON PREVIEW
more in the Saints passing attack in 2024. Since scoring on his first two offensive touches after coming off of the practice squad in October of 2022, Shaheed never looked back. 2023 was his best season to date, and he signed a one-year contract extension to continue in Black and Gold. He started and appeared in 15 games, totaling 46 catches for 719 yards (club-best 15.6 avg) and tied for six total touchdowns. He also carried seven times for 37 yards. The pair of Olave and Shaheed were a dynamic duo, as they shouldered the majority of the receiving load. Not only did Shaheed shine at receiver, but he also put up impressive performances as a return specialist once again. Shaheed returned 18 kicks for 384 yards (21.3 avg) and 25 punts for 339 yards (13.6 All-Pro) with a score. The undrafted, thirdyear pro looks to build on top of the excellent two seasons he has had as a threatening return specialist, and an offensive weapon.
Cedrick Wilson Jr. will also be another consistent and reliable receiver while adding his veteran presence to a young wide receiver room. Entering his sixth year in the league and first with the Saints, Wilson Jr. will look to bring knowledge and experience to the table for Olave and Shaheed while also being a threat down the field and possessing the ability to block.
At tight end, Johnson held the position down for the majority of last season, and he established himself as a steady target for Carr. The New Jersey native had an impressive season in 2022, but 2023 was a little different as he dealt with a calf injury at the start of the season. He appeared and started in 13 games, finishing with 37 receptions for 368 yards and tied for second on the team with four touchdowns. Johnson is an important piece to the offense, and looks to stay healthy in 2024 after offseason foot surgery that has sidelined him in the preseason to get back on the field and deliver stellar performances like he is used to.
Moreau has spent his entire NFL career with Carr, and their connection was evident last season. He appeared in 15 games with 10 starts, and when the ball came his way it was almost a guarantee he was going to catch it. Moreau caught 21 out of the 25 balls that came his way while also racking up 193 yards and a score. Being a New Orleans native and a former LSU and Jesuit High School standout, he expects to be even more involved in the pass game as Carr feels extremely comfortable with him as a target.
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 in 2024. Of the NFL offensive lines he has directed since 2004, seven of those teams have finished in the top ten in the
league in rushing yards per game. Benton has welcomed challenges navigate this year’s offensive line, as it will have to feature three new starters with RT Ryan Ramczyk to be sidelined all year with knee issues. He still has bright spots, however, across the line in returners Erik McCoy, Cesar Ruiz and Trevor Penning, first round draft pick Taliese Fuaga and competition at left guard.
McCoy was named a team captain last season, and he showed everyone that he was deserving of that title. He started and played in all 17 games at center in 2023, a feat that was only accomplished by he and Carr on the offensive side of the ball. McCoy was a key piece in protecting Carr, and he will continue to be in 2024 as the leader of the offensive line in the new system.
Cesar Ruiz has flexibility that is coveted across the league, as he has opened games at right guard and center in 2021 and 2022. The club’s first round pick in 2020 has settled into the right guard position, where Ruiz started and played in 16 games in 2023. He looks to stay a constant to the right of McCoy in 2024.
New Orleans 2024 first round draft choice Fuaga has lived up to expectations in the offseason and training camp. The former
Oregon State standout is developing with the long-term desire to be a prime force on Carr’s blind side as he enters his rookie season for the Black and Gold.
After winning the battle in 2023 training camp, K Blake Grupe became a scoring machine for New Orleans. He registered 130 points across all games last season, which was good for eighth in the league. Grupe was 16-of18 on field goals up to 39 yards, and he also had a 100% rate on extra points. The former Notre Dame standout looks to build on his rookie season in 2024.
Saints P Lou Hedley was also a new addition last season. The Australian native punted 75 times for 3,224 yards (43.0 avg), and put 31 of those punts inside the 20-yard line, which was top five in the league in 2023. Hedley also looks to build off of his rookie season, and special teams as a whole should be an extremely efficient unit.
Now healthy and more determined than ever, the Saints look to make waves across the NFC in 2024, with the hope to build off of the last five weeks of the 2023 seson.
“I feel like we are in a great place right now,” Carr said. “I have a lot of confidence that we can win a lot of games this year.”
65
DB J.T. Gray’s 65 special teams tackles since 2019 rank second in the NFL.
39,100
39,100
QB Derek Carr’s 39,100 career passing yards rank 25th in NFL record books.
33
S Tyrann Mathieu’s 33 career interceptions since coming to the NFL in 2013 are tied for the most over the 11-season period. In his first season in New Orleans in 2022, Mathieu led the team with three interceptions and in 2023, he tied for the team lead with four picks.
College: Florida A&M University
Occupation: Head Competitive
Cheer and Dance Coach at Loyola University New Orleans
Years With Team: 4
COURTNEY SAINTS CHEER KREWE
Courtney is a fourth-year member and community leader from Rockledge, Fla., with more than two decades of cheerleading, public service, and education experience. After graduating from Rockledge High School, she attended Florida A&M University, where she is now a twotime alumna with a Masters in Sport Management. Courtney has a passion for helping youth advance through education and recreational activities, along with teaching youth life skills. Currently, Courtney is the Head Competitive Cheer and Dance Coach at Loyola University New Orleans. She has had a love for cheerleading since the age of four and was ecstatic to see a Facebook post that led her to trying out for the Saints Cheer Krewe in the summer of 2021.
What has been the best thing about being a member of the Saints Cheer Krewe? The best thing about being a member of the Saints Cheer Krewe is meeting new people, making new relationships, being able to perform and entertain on gamedays, gaining professional career experience and personal growth, community engagement, and being able to be a part of history in many ways.
What keeps you motivated? Being able to inspire and show others (especially the youth) that you can achieve all of your goals along with being able to take care of myself and build wealth for my family keeps me motivated. I frequently remind myself of “road to the block” which helps me remember my long-term goals.
Who is a significant role model in your life? My mom, Cornelia Cadore, is a significant role model in my life. She has always led with love and by example, sacrificed, and encouraged not only me and my family, but others in the community. Even on my toughest days and when others didn’t want me to succeed, it never affected me because my mom has always been my biggest cheerleader.
What are the top three accomplishments you’re most proud of outside of joining the Saints Cheer Krewe? Outside of joining the Saints Cheer Krewe, receiving my master’s degree, being a full-time competitive collegiate cheer and dance coach, and developing a genuine relationship with my student-athletes and being able to mentor and watch their growth are the top three things that I am most proud of outside of joining the Saints Cheer Krewe.
What is the best advice you have ever been given? I have received a wealth of advice, however, there are three things that will always stick with me and help me push through on tough days. The three things are: God will never leave you nor forsake you; your hardwork will never go unnoticed even if it doesn’t happen the exact way you originally planned; and be comfortable with being uncomfortable.
What do you like to do in your spare time? In my spare time I enjoy self-care spa treatments, traveling to new places, trying new things, relaxing, and hanging out with my family and friends.
If you could have dinner for one night with any historical person, who would it be and why? If I could have dinner with any historical person, it would be Patsy Matsu Mink, the first woman of color elected to the United States House of Representatives and the first Asian-American woman to serve in Congress. She is known for her work on legislation advancing women’s rights and education. As a woman of color who works in higher education, I would enjoy having dinner with her to thank her for her assistance with Title IX and paving the way for women’s rights and education.
What is your biggest piece of advice to the younger generation? My biggest piece of advice for the younger generation is to always dream big and work hard. Find what you’re passionate about to help lead you to your purpose and career. Your passion and talent can fund your dreams and lifestyle if you work hard. Everyone will not be your friend or root for you and that’s okay! Learn and practice rooting for yourself. Lastly, when and if you feel defeated, keep moving!
ROXIE SAINTS CHEER KREWE
Describe how you got involved in dance and your Saints Cheer Krewe “journey.” I started my training at ‘A Time to Dance’ when I was about three years old and danced with them until their last show in 2022. I’m a proud alum of Mount Carmel Academy’s Carmelette Dance Team. I then attended LSU and participated as a member of LSU’s Tiger Band as a Golden Girl, and even had the honor of dancing in the Caesars Superdome when LSU football won the 2019 National Championship. I was eager to continue dancing professionally, and I missed the environment of Louisiana football just as much. I was fortunate enough to have been chosen as a Saints Cheer Krewe member in 2022, and have loved every second of it.
What has been the best thing about being a member of the Saints Cheer Krewe? The best things about being a member of Saints Cheer Krewe are the experiences I have with the best fans in the NFL. They have such an impact on my life and remind me to focus on the joys in life.
What keeps you motivated? It is easy to be motivated to pursue this job. I work in a pediatric hospital and my unit’s patient population consists of mostly surgical and trauma patients. I absolutely love my job and I treasure each relationship I have with the kids at the hospital, but it can be hard to separate some of my emotions when leaving work. The Saints Cheer Krewe is exactly what I need after a hard day at work. I get to do what I love while surrounded by my teammates who know exactly how to lighten up my day.
Who is a significant role model in your life? I had two dance teachers growing up who have always inspired me. They reminded me constantly that dance is an art, and we should love it as a form of self-expression as opposed to a competitive sport meant to just win awards.
What is the best advice you have ever been given? The best advice I’ve ever been given is practice doesn’t always make perfect. Practice makes habit. I can practice over and over, but if I am not executing everything I do with intention, then my default won’t meet my expectations.
What do you like to do in your spare time? I love being with my family. We get together often for family dinners and game nights. Most of my off-time is spent playing with my adorable nephew. My heart always melts when I see his little wave from the crowd in Champions Square or in the Caesars Superdome cheering on the Saints and the Saints Cheer Krewe.
What is the trait that you admire most in other people and why? I believe that resilience is one of the most admirable traits a person can possess. I find it so inspiring to see people who are going through tough times maintain their composure, keep their chin up, and push forward.
If you had the opportunity to travel anywhere, where would it be and why? I have never gone outside the U.S., but I do have some interest in traveling to Switzerland! I have seen many pictures and videos of the scenery and I just know I would love to see its beauty in person!
College: Louisiana State University
Occupation: Registered Nurse
Season: Third Season
If you could have dinner for one night with any historical person, who would it be and why? I would easily choose Walt Disney. I want to hear every thought he had prior to opening Disneyland and if he ever expected it to be as influential as it is now.
What is your biggest piece of advice to the younger generation? My biggest piece of advice to the younger generation is never settle for less than you can be. Even if you dream big, you can achieve it. Hard work will always pay off.
OWNERSHIP SAINTS ALPHABETICAL ROSTER
Brian Callahan was hired by the Titans as the 20th head coach in franchise history on January 24, 2024. He arrived in Tennessee with 18 years of coaching experience, including the previous five seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals. Under head coach Zac Taylor, Callahan helped guide quarterback Joe Burrow to multiple franchise records and Pro Bowl honors. The Bengals’ offense ranked in the NFL’s top 10 in several categories, featuring standout performances from WRs Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd, and RB Joe Mixon.
Callahan joined the Bengals after spending 2018 as the quarterbacks coach for the Oakland Raiders, where QB Derek Carr passed
TENNESSEE TITANS KEY PLAYERS
for a then-career-high 4,049 yards and led the AFC with a 68.9 completion percentage. From 2016 to 2017, Callahan was the quarterbacks coach for the Detroit Lions, helping Matthew Stafford finish third in passing yards and fourth in passing touchdowns in 2017.
Callahan broke into the NFL coaching ranks with the Denver Broncos in 2010, serving in multiple roles through 2015, including coaching assistant, offensive quality control coach, and quarterbacks coach.
Before reaching the NFL, Callahan was a graduate assistant at UCLA. A former walk-on quarterback for the Bruins, he holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University.
BRIAN CALLAHAN - HEAD COACH
DANIEL BRUNSKILL
OWNERSHIP TITANS ALPHABETICAL ROSTER
Marlon
26 Diggs, Quandre S 5-9/197 1/22/93 10 Texas Houston, Texas
Caleb
6 Folk, Nick K
Garror, Eric
Gowan, Tay
51 Gray, Cedric LB 6-2/234 10/30/02 R North Carolina Charlotte, N.C. 92 Harrell, Jaylen OLB 6-4/247 5/1/02
Hooker,
Tre’Shaun
Hassan
Iton, Isaiah DL 6-2/277 8/23/01
S.C.
Rutgers Houston, Texas 19 Jackson, Jha’Quan WR 5-9/188 5/15/00 R Tulane Luling, La. 5 Jackson, Kearis WR 5-11/196 12/9/99 2 Georgia Fort Valley, Ga. 39 Jackson, Matthew S 6-1/209 11/9/98 2 Eastern Kentucky Nashville, Tenn. 35 Javier, Robert CB 6-0/193 5/26/00 R Towson Bronx, N.Y. 32 Jeudy-Lally, Gabe CB 6-1/189 2/16/01 R Tennessee Austin, Texas
N.C.
Brayden
Ariz. 89 Odukoya, Thomas TE 6-6/253 5/5/97
Almere, Netherlands 61 Ojukwu, John OL 6-5/309 1/9/99
At a training camp practice at the UC Irvine on August 7, Saints LB Demario Davis and NBA legend Avery Johnson spent time together following a morning practice. Johnson, a New Orleans native and 16-year NBA veteran who helped lead the San Antonio Spurs to the 1998-99 NBA Championship as their starting point guard, also has enjoyed a successful coaching career in the NBA and NCAA, and is currently a basketball television analyst. A Saints fan since his youth and great friend of the organization, Johnson spent the day with the team during their activities in preparation for the 2024 regular season.
