NEWS NOW: This Is The End of the Journey—New Orleans Saints Fire Special Teams Coach Darren Rizzi Amid Surprising Decision
In a move that has stunned the NFL community, the New Orleans Saints have announced that they have parted ways with special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi, ending his six-year tenure with the franchise. The decision, which came out of the blue, has left fans, analysts, and players alike scrambling for answers. While the Saints have yet to provide specific details about the reasons behind the firing, the unexpected nature of the move is sending shockwaves through the organization.
Rizzi, who joined the Saints in 2017, was a highly regarded special teams coach known for his ability to get the most out of his unit and his expertise in fielding explosive special teams plays. Under his leadership, the Saints’ special teams unit often ranked among the league’s best, contributing in key moments with punting, kick returns, and other pivotal plays. However, the decision to move on from Rizzi signals a major shift in the team’s approach moving forward.
Darren Rizzi’s Impact on the Saints
Darren Rizzi’s impact on the Saints’ special teams cannot be overstated. During his time in New Orleans, he helped elevate the team’s special teams performance, particularly in high-stakes games. His success in coordinating effective kick and punt coverage, as well as helping improve the return game, contributed significantly to the team’s overall strategy. Rizzi’s work also earned him respect around the league, making him a consistent name on coaching wish lists for other franchises.
Notable achievements during Rizzi’s tenure include the Saints’ consistently solid performances in both kick coverage and return game efficiency, and his work in developing players into key special teams contributors. Rizzi’s innovative strategies, including his use of aggressive onside kicks and trick plays, were often game-changers. The Saints also thrived in the field goal and punting departments, with reliable kickers like Wil Lutz and Thomas Morstead benefiting from his oversight.
However, in the last season, the Saints’ special teams unit seemed to face more ups and downs. While still relatively strong in certain areas, there were moments where mistakes—such as missed field goals, returns allowed for significant yardage, and breakdowns in coverage—caused major setbacks. Though some of these errors could be attributed to personnel changes or injuries, it appears that the Saints front office ultimately felt it was time for a fresh perspective in the special teams department.
Why Now?
The timing of Rizzi’s firing raises several questions. The Saints are in the midst of a rebuilding phase, with new leadership under head coach Dennis Allen and an emphasis on improving the overall roster. Many had speculated that the Saints might focus on reshuffling their coaching staff to address weaknesses in areas like offensive consistency and defensive depth, but the decision to part ways with Rizzi—especially after such a successful run—was unexpected.
Although some sources point to frustration with the special teams’ inconsistency in recent seasons, the team’s broader struggles under Allen’s leadership may have played a role in the decision to make this change. The Saints have faced challenges with a high turnover of players, including key veteran talents, and their overall performance has been somewhat uneven since the departure of longtime quarterback Drew Brees.
The special teams unit, while still featuring some standout performers, showed lapses in discipline during critical moments, with several penalties, poor field position, and mismanagement of the clock in some situations. As the Saints aim to return to playoff contention, the front office may have felt that a shift in special teams leadership was necessary to avoid further setbacks.
What’s Next for the Saints?
As the dust settles, the Saints are now tasked with finding a replacement for Rizzi. Given the importance of special teams in today’s NFL, the team will likely look for a coach who can continue to build on Rizzi’s strong foundation while correcting the areas of weakness that arose in recent seasons. The New Orleans front office is expected to conduct an extensive search for a new special teams coordinator, with some names already circulating in coaching circles.
The Saints have a history of attracting experienced coaches, and it’s likely that the next hire will come with a wealth of special teams knowledge. Whoever steps into the role will have the challenge of stabilizing a unit that has had both highs and lows, as well as continuing to elevate the special teams’ impact in tight games.
Rizzi’s Future
Darren Rizzi’s future is uncertain, but it’s clear that he will have no shortage of opportunities moving forward. As one of the more respected special teams coaches in the NFL, it’s likely that Rizzi will be a sought-after candidate for similar positions around the league. His tenure in New Orleans may have ended on a sour note, but Rizzi’s track record and reputation in the NFL are strong, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him quickly land another coaching gig.
In his statement following the news of his firing, Rizzi expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to coach in New Orleans, thanking the fans, the players, and the organization for the experience. “It’s been an honor to be part of such an incredible team,” Rizzi said. “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished, and I wish nothing but the best for the Saints moving forward.”
Looking Ahead
The firing of Darren Rizzi signals that changes are afoot in New Orleans. With head coach Dennis Allen still at the helm and an ongoing quest for team success, the Saints are clearly trying to refine their coaching staff to meet the challenges of the upcoming seasons. The team’s special teams, which have been a critical part of their success over the years, will now be under new leadership as they seek to return to their winning ways.
Saints fans will no doubt be closely watching how this change impacts the team, particularly in the critical areas of field position and special teams execution, which have often been a deciding factor in close games. The quest for improvement is clear, and the upcoming season will undoubtedly bring new energy and adjustments to the New Orleans Saints.
For now, the end of Darren Rizzi’s journey with the Saints is official. The question on everyone’s mind is: who will step up next to guide the special teams into the future?
