Two former New Orleans Saints assistants are reportedly joining the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defensive staff.
The Jaguars plan to add Kris Richard and Cory Robinson to their defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen’s staff, as reported by Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. Robinson has been named coach of the cornerbacks, and Richard’s role is still to be revealed.
In New Orleans, Nielsen worked as a coach for Richard from 2021 to 2022 and for Robinson from 2020 to 2022. Robinson collaborated closely with Richard while serving as New Orleans’ assistant defensive backs coach.
Richard accepted a head coaching interview this month with the Las Vegas Raiders, following his absence from coaching in 2023. Richard had interviews with the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins last season for the open defensive coordinator jobs, which were eventually filled by Vic Fangio and Vance Joseph, respectively.
Richard was the defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys from 2018 to 2019, before taking the helm of a formidable Saints secondary for two different reasons.
Prior to that, Richard played for the Seattle Seahawks from 2010 to 2017, when he rejoined Carroll, his college coach. Prior to being promoted to cornerbacks coach in 2011, Richard worked as an assistant defensive backs coach in 2010.
Richard was the defensive backs coach for the Seahawks from 2012 to 2014 (often referred to as the “Legion of Boom” era), and he received a lot of credit for the team’s superior secondary play. In 2017, Richard took over as defensive coordinator for Seattle when Dan Quinn left the position. This was Richard’s first season as an NFL coordinator.
Furthermore, it has been rumoured that the Jaguars have signed Matt House, the former defensive coordinator at LSU, to be the inside linebackers coach. This will provide Nielsen with a strong set of coaches for his first season as coordinator.
