Saints introduce Darren Rizzi as special teams coordinator

The New Orleans Saints formally announced the addition of Darren Rizzi to head coach Sean Payton’s staff. Rizzi will accept the position of special teams coordinator, a post he held with the Miami Dolphins all the way back to 2011.

This is a big move for the Saints; Rizzi’s resume comes with a trail of successes, per the official team website:

"Rizzi’s Dolphins units the past eight seasons were ranked first in the NFL with 11 blocked punts and second in the league with 22 total blocked kicks. During his Dolphins tenure, three special teams players have been named to four Pro Bowls. he coached five players to the NFL All-Rookie team in the past six years."

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Rizzi has made stars of returns specialists such as Jakeem Grant, and his units consistently bring pressure on opposing punters and kickers. That’s great news for Saints special teams ace Taysom Hill, who should not lack for work under new management.

He replaces Bradford Banta, who was let go following the 2018 season. Popular special teams consultant and de facto coordinator Mike Westhoff explained his intention to resume retirement in an earlier report.

Rizzi will likely be allowed to build his own staff, which consisted of just one assistant for most of his Dolphins tenure: Marwan Maalouf, who was hired as the new Minnesota Vikings special teams coordinator.

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