It appears that the vast majority of Kellen Moore's staff will stay in place after all.
Saints QBs coach Scott Tolzien and TEs coach Chase Haslett have removed their names from consideration for a pair of openings on Mike McCarthy's staff with the Steelers, according to reports. Tolzien was interviewed for the OC role, while Haslett was on the shortlist for the TEs coach, pass game coordinator role with Pittsburgh.
This is what Tolzien said of the opportunity to interview for the OC job when I caught up with him at last week's Senior Bowl:
“Any time you get an opportunity to go interview for one of these it’s a really great growth opportunity," Tolzien said, "so I’m lucky that I’m in a position that I enjoy where I’m at, things are going really good and yet you always see what’s out there.”
Tolzien's connection with McCarthy dates back to his time as a player with the Packers, and he was also a member of McCarthy's staff on the Cowboys. The Haslett connection is a bit different, in that it was Chase's father, Jim, who hired McCarthy as the Saints OC back in 2000.
The Saints will have one coaching position to fill, with Jahri Evans reportedly accepting an assistant OL coach role with the Steelers. Saints GM Mickey Loomis described further staffing changes from the Saints end as "unlikely."
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That means the vast majority of Moore's staff will remain in place for Year 2, a stretch of continuity that can be rare around the NFL and particularly for the Saints the past few seasons. They've either hired a new head coach or rebuilt the offensive or defensive staff in each of the five seasons since Sean Payton departed.
Members of the team and coaching staff have raved about the culture established by Moore in Year 1, a trying season that included a 1-8 start before a 5-4 run to end the year, including a four-game winning streak with rookie QB Tyler Shough at the helm.