Report: Saints keeping Pete Carmichael as offensive coordinator

The Saints went with a familiar face when they hired Dennis Allen as their new head coach. Now, they're doing the same for one of his top assistants.

Pete Carmichael will stay with New Orleans as its offensive coordinator, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Allen was previously the Saints' defensive coordinator, meaning the top two assistants under Sean Payton remain with the team following his retirement.

Carmichael has been with the Saints organization since 2006, when he came aboard as quarterbacks coach. His arrival coincided with that of quarterback Drew Brees, who Carmichael previously worked with while both were with the Chargers.

In 2007, Carmichael received passing game coach duties in addition to remaining the quarterbacks coach. Then-offensive coordinator Doug Marrone left to become the head coach at Syracuse in 2009, leaving the position open for Carmichael to step in and fill it.

It immediately proved to be a wise decision by the Saints. In his first year on the job he helped capture the first Super Bowl title in franchise history. New Orleans went 13-3 over the regular season thanks largely to its offense led by Carmichael, as the Saints finished first in the entire NFL in total offense (6,461 yards) and points scored (510).

Though they have not since returned to the big game, the Saints have continued to have success both on offense and in the win column under Carmichael. In 2018, Brees became the NFL's all-time leader in passing yards, though Tom Brady eventually passed him in 2021.