Saints hire Cal defensive coordinator Peter Sirmon

The New Orleans Saints coaching staff is nearly complete, but the defensive side still needs some roles to be filled. Yesterday, the Saints hired Texas assistant head coach/defensive pass game coordinator Terry Joseph to become the team’s defensive pass game coordinator. This was the first hire under DC Brandon Staley, and today, per Pete Thamel, the Saints have made their second addition, hiring Cal defensive coordinator Peter Sirmon to become their next linebackers coach.

This is the second coaching hire from college for the defensive staff, and it follows something NFL insider Ian Rapoport mentioned yesterday when Terry Joseph was hired. The Saints interviewed candidates for their DC opening from college, and have valued coaches with this experience. Peter Sirmon played linebacker in the NFL for the Tennesee Titans and has been a linebackers coach for most of his career. Cal’s defense has not been great under Thamel, but going back to focusing on just the linebackers may be perfect for Thamel.

Like with Joseph, Sirmon was very involved with recruiting in college. Being able to motivate a recruit to come to a school is something great to add to the Saints coaching staff. Sirmon and Joseph’s recruiting ability will help bring in free agents and motivate the current players on the roster.

Looking at connections throughout the staff, Peter Sirmon and Terry Joseph both coached on Tennessee’s staff in 2010-2011. Brandon Staley never coached with the two new hires, but did coach at Tennessee in 2012 after both Sirmon and Terry left for other oppurtunites. In regards to new Saints head coach Kellen Moore, there may be link with him and Sirmon…

Looking for a possible connection to Kellen Moore here? Sirmon has coached for head coach Justin Wilcox at Cal since 2018. Wilcox was the defensive coordinator for Boise State during Moore’s first two full seasons. Possible Wilcox thought highly of Sirmon, and kept up with Moore. https://t.co/blzU3Z2pBt

— Wallace Delery (@WallaceDelery) February 25, 2025