The #Steelers have requested to interview #Saints DBs coach Kris Richard for their vacant defensive coordinator opening, source said. The former #Seahawks DC gets another chance after impressing in New Orleans.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 25, 2022
Well that’s distressing. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Monday evening that the Pittsburgh Steelers requested an interview with New Orleans Saints secondary coach Kris Richard concerning their vacant defensive coordinator position — a post Richard has held before with the Seattle Seahawks, prior to his successful run with the Dallas Cowboys as their defensive passing game coordinator.
Richard took the 2020 NFL season off and joined New Orleans last year to replace Aaron Glenn, who followed Dan Campbell to become the Detroit Lions defensive coordinator. If Richard interviews well and gets this job, it would mean a third secondary coach in as many years for the Saints. Obviously that’s not where you want to be with young starters like Paulson Adebo developing on the back end.
Hopefully the Saints can find a way to retain Richard, just as they worked out a compromise with coveted defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen last summer. He’s been a big part of their recent success and they’ll need all the quality assistants they can get with Dennis Allen interviewing for the Chicago Bears head coach job and Sean Payton mulling retirement. Continuity is key for good teams in the NFL.
