K Major

Saints hire Kevin O'Dea to fix Special Teams




Special teams has been less than special for the Saints this season, and now Coach Sean Payton has made a move aimed at improving his staff. Tonight on the Saints Coaches Show, Payton told Bobby Hebert the team will bring in another special teams coach - Kevin O’Dea, formerly with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“This is an ego-less business, a guy like Kevin is a big hire for us. He was fired up, he got up in today and started putting in a plan. And coaching a kicker is his specialty.. he's a solid coach.," Payton said. He also pointed out that O'Dea will have an impact not just on the kicking unit but also in the return game. "I know you will see the return game improve. I think Kevin is going to help us in that area, and we’re glad we have him on board,” he said.

The Black and Gold have struggled in that arena, costing them three games this season, “You’re fighting for every blade of grass,” Payton explained.

The Saints are looking to rebound against Los Angeles Sunday after losing two straight games. “I think it’s gonna be important to play well at home in this two game stretch. I know what we have in front of us in a couple of weeks. We have to focus on Los Angeles and play our best game of the year,” Payton said of the game coming up this week against the Rams. ​

The season is on the line this Sunday against LA!

WWL - AM870 | FM105.3 | News | Talk | Sports - Payton Announces Saints Will Hire Special Teams Coach Kevin O'Dea

"We're a violent team & a tough team. We find ways to put ourselves in position to win. We just have to WIN". Alvin Kamara

Utah_Saint

Better late than never, I guess.

WillSaints81

We don't want to play our best game against this team over the lions who are much better than LA.

jnormand

This is an awesome move. And I mean that. But wtf is McMahon coaching? This guy is coming in and taking over the kicking game and the return units. So I guess McMahon is coaching what?...the punter? Or maybe the ball boys?

spkb25

Himself out of a job

SmashMouth

He is coaching the waterboy!!!

SaintsBro

They do this in Japan. When one business executive is incompetent, or out of touch with the business, they don't fire him, they just bring in someone else right beside him to do his job. To save face and avoid the humiliating embarassment of admitting the company made a mistake. Certain Silicon Valley tech companies do it, too. Ridiculous if you think about it, but oh well....

hagan714

need beef up front first and for most on the right side of the line.

neugey

So McMahon is now in charge of Gatorade detail. Which means we will now have player dehydrating and cramping during the game LOL

jeanpierre

Well, I say this about Payton vs other coaches, even he can admit when the mob crowd is right...

So like Rob, McMahon will get phased out...