NEW ORLEANS -- While a lot of excitement is centering around the New Orleans Saints expecting to add San Francisco 49ers Passing Game Specialist as their next offensive coordinator. However, along with the hire have come several departures. New Orleans has parted ways with Offensive Coordinator Pete Carmichael, Wide Receivers Coach Kodi Burns, Offensive Line Coach Doug Marrone and Joel Thomas, the team's running backs coach took the same position with the New York Giants.
Among the coaching staff members that will not be departing this off-season however is legendary Tight Ends Coach Clancy Barone. Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Barone will be back with the team for at least the 2024 season. A new addition to the Saints' staff for the 2023 season, Barone has coached some of the league's top tight ends including Antonio Gates with the San Diego Chargers, the Atlanta Falcons' Alge Crumpler and more Pro Bowl talents along the way.
Barone also has a unique connection to the soon-to-be-incoming offensive coordinator hire in Kubiak. Barone worked with Kubiak's father, Gary Kubiak, while with the Denver Broncos in 2015 and 2016. During which time, he also overlapped with the younger Kubiak in 2016 as well. For that year Gary Kubiak was the head coach, Barone coached the offensive line and Klint Kubiak was an offensive assistant.
In 2023, the Saints' tight ends were ecstatic to welcome their new position coach. Although the season did not end in the result everyone had hoped, the tight end position group saw a boost in production toward the end of the season. Injuries, concerns in protection and other complications had to be sorted out, but the diligence of the room persisted and shined through well before season's end.
With a new system incoming and expected improvement along the offense in tow, there is no wonder the "why" when it comes to bringing Barone back. If the Saints want to maximize the eclectic talent of the room, he is the guy to get it going.
Not to mention he will essentially be the bridge between the Saints as they were and what they will become assuming all goes to plan with Kubiak. The hire cannot become official until after the Super Bowl. But assuming all goes without a hitch, Barone will be the offensive staff member with both institutional knowledge of the Saints and experience with the expected new offensive coordinator. That is a unique and very important role.
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