Zach Strief is only in his first season as a Saints assistant coach, but he's been around about as long as anyone.
Strief played for the Saints his entire career, spanning from 2006-'17. After retiring he spent three years as the Voice of the Saints on WWL Radio before becoming an assistant offensive line coach for his former team.
One of his fans thus far, unsurprising, has been head coach Sean Payton.
“He’s doing a fantastic job. He’s bright, an extremely good teacher, and has transitioned well," Payton said. "I think he’s been a really good addition to our staff. He’s seen the whole process.”
One of the areas Strief has extra insight to offer is throughout the process. Strief is one of the few staffers who know what Saints practice and camp was like in the past and locations beyond the team facility in Metairie.
"The point being that it is 2021 and this is how camps are run [now]," Payton said. "He’s done a really good job of getting acclimated. You can tell this is something he’s got a passion for."
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There have been similar reports from the offensive linemen he's coaching, which gets split up between he and offensive line coach Brendan Nudgent.
"He didn't just play so recently, he played so long," center Erik McCoy said. "So you know, like, he has experience. He knows what it feels like to be out there and what's gonna work, what isn't gonna work."
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