Saints fire longtime OC Pete Carmichael, two others

Field Level Media|published: Tue 16th January, 13:54 2024

Oct 16, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael looks at the video boards against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half at Caesars Superdome. credits: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

The New Orleans Saints fired longtime offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael after 18 seasons with the team on Tuesday.

The Saints also parted ways with senior offensive assistant Bob Bicknell and wide receivers coach Kodi Burns.

"I would like to thank Pete, Bob, and Kodi for their service to the New Orleans Saints and to this coaching staff," head coach Dennis Allen said in a statement. "These types of decisions are never easy to come to, but are necessary as we move forward.

"I would especially like to thank Pete for his contributions to this staff for 18 seasons. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the job he has done and as a colleague."

Carmichael, 52, initially joined then-coach Sean Payton's staff in 2006 and worked with the team's quarterbacks and passing game for three seasons. Carmichael has served as New Orleans' offensive coordinator since 2009 and worked through the transition of Payton to Allen as the team's head coach.

The Saints (9-8) finished 14th in total offense (337.2 average yards per game) and 21st in rushing offense (102.5) in 2023, missing out on the playoffs in a tiebreaker with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the NFC South division title. New Orleans beat the Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons in consecutive games to keep its playoff chances alive until the Green Bay Packers beat the Chicago Bears in Week 18 to eliminate the Saints.

Nola.com reported last week that the Saints expressed interest in reuniting former Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders and Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden with quarterback Derek Carr.

—Field Level Media

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