The New Orleans Saints had a significant setback last year when they lost defensive assistant Ryan Nielsen. He had been appointed as the defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons under Arthur Smith. However, with Smith’s recent dismissal, Nielsen is now back on the market and available for other opportunities.
We have hired Ryan Nielsen as defensive coordinator. pic.twitter.com/Am0b6SuXSg
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) January 22, 2024
Nielsen was named the new defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday.
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Nielsen, who kickstarted his NFL coaching journey with the Saints, dedicated a commendable six years to the team. At the age of 44, he continues to possess an abundance of coaching prowess. Within the NFL community, he has garnered immense respect and admiration.
In his early years with New Orleans, he served as the defensive line coach for four seasons. Later on, he was promoted to the position of assistant head coach and defensive line coach in 2021. His expertise and contributions were recognized as he was appointed co-defensive coordinator and retained his role as the defensive line coach in 2022.
The Falcons had a respectable performance in the 2023 season, ranking No. 11 in yards allowed and No. 18 in points allowed. These numbers demonstrate the team’s solid defensive capabilities, especially given the talent present on the roster.
He will have a chance to lead a defense in the AFC. The Jacksonville Jaguars have made a significant coaching hire, bringing in Ryan Nielsen as the team’s new defensive coordinator.
This move reflects the Jaguars’ commitment to strengthening their defense and improving their performance on the field. Nielsen’s experience and expertise will undoubtedly be valuable assets to the team as they work towards achieving their goals for the upcoming season.
