News Summary
The New Orleans Saints have announced the hiring of Terry Joseph as their new defensive pass game coordinator. Joseph, a New Orleans native, brings 19 years of coaching experience, including a successful stint at the University of Texas where he excelled in pass coverage. His achievements include guiding Texas to a top national ranking in passing yards allowed and developing standout players such as Jahdae Barron, who won the Jim Thorpe Award. Joseph’s background also includes coaching at Notre Dame and other collegiate programs, making him a strong asset for the Saints as they focus on improving their defense.
New Orleans – The New Orleans Saints have announced the hiring of Terry Joseph as their new defensive pass game coordinator. Joseph, who has 19 years of coaching experience, returns to his hometown after a successful tenure at the University of Texas, where he spent the last four seasons as the defensive passing game coordinator and secondary coach.
During his time at Texas, Joseph guided a defense that significantly excelled in pass coverage. In 2024, the Longhorns ranked 7th nationally in opponent passing yards allowed per game, averaging just 173.8 yards. Furthermore, Joseph’s coaching ability was highlighted by the performance of his player, Jahdae Barron, who earned the prestigious 2024 Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back and was recognized as a consensus All-American. Barron made impressive contributions on defense, recording 67 tackles, five interceptions, and 11 pass breakups that season.
Joseph’s achievements at Texas were not limited to individual player success. His defense achieved a tie for the most interceptions in the nation with 22 during the 2024 season. The previous year, in 2023, Barron led the secondary with 61 tackles, while Joseph also developed multiple players to notable performances, including four honorable mention All-Big 12 honorees in 2022. Overall, Texas’ defense ranked 12th nationally that year with three defensive touchdowns, showcasing their effectiveness under Joseph’s leadership.
Before his impressive stint at Texas, Joseph spent three years at Notre Dame, contributing to a remarkable 33-5 record and two College Football Playoff appearances. He developed standout players, including Kyle Hamilton, who became a third-team All-American and a first-round NFL draft pick. In 2019, the secondary he coached ranks 3rd nationally in passing yards allowed per game, and 5th in passing efficiency defense, underscoring Joseph’s significant impact on defensive performance at the collegiate level.
Joseph’s extensive coaching background also includes previous roles at North Carolina, Texas A&M, Nebraska, Tennessee, and Louisiana Tech. While at Texas A&M, he played a crucial role in a defense that ranked 4th nationally in passing yards allowed per game in 2015, showcasing his consistent ability to mold competitive defensive units across various programs.
His coaching career began in the high school ranks of the New Orleans area, working at Archbishop Shaw and Destrehan before transitioning to collegiate coaching. Joseph also has strong familial ties to the coaching profession; his cousin, Vance Joseph, currently serves as the defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos, while another cousin, Mickey Joseph, is the head coach at Grambling State University.
Joseph holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and business administration from Northwestern State University. Interestingly, he also has a background in baseball, having played as a minor league player for the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres. His new role with the Saints marks his first foray into the NFL, as he transitions from collegiate coaching to the professional football arena.
As the Saints look to improve their defensive performance in the upcoming season, Terry Joseph’s wealth of experience and proven track record in developing defensive backs will be a crucial asset for the team moving forward.
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