“Good riddance” – Saints firing coach Doug Marrone following 9-8 season triggers mixed reactions on social media

Marrone's tenure with the Saints came to an end after two years.

“Good riddance” – Saints firing coach Doug Marrone following 9-8 season triggers mixed reactions on social media

Doug Marrone (via Yahoo Sports)

The New Orleans Saints fired Doug Marrone from the offensive line’s coach in the early hours of Saturday. Marrone was part of the Saints setup for two years.

He was the first assistant hired by David Allen in 2022. This wasn’t the first occasion Marrone was hired by the Saints. His previous rodeo came during the Sean Payton era back in 2006.

In 2009, he left to become the head coach at Syracuse University. After spending four years there, Marrone became the head coach of the Buffalo Bills for two seasons. Then the Jacksonville Jaguars brought him in as their offensive line coach from 2015-2016, but a year later he was promoted to their interim head coach.

Following a 6-year stay with the Jaguars, he led them to the 2018 AFC title game. His next project was with Alabama as the offensive line coach. The Crimson Tide finished the season 13-2, only losing to Georgia in the National Championship.

Football fans on social media feel relieved the Saints fired Doug Marrone

Allen added the 59-year-old Marrone as the Saints offensive line coach. However, under him, the Saints managed fewer than 110 rushing yards per game. Their 3.6 per carry in 2023 ranked 31st in the league. Saints quarterbacks have been sacked 73 times over 34 games under Marrone. As a result, QBs often get injured during the season.

"Good riddance" - Saints firing coach Doug Marrone following 9-8 season triggers mixed reactions on social media
Doug Marrone (Image via SI)

However, probably the biggest flaw under his reign was the stagnation of the players. Left tackle Trevor Penning did not show much improvement. Penning was benched after just five games, playing 13 snaps over the final 11 contests.

The Saints are in the rebuilding process. Klint Kubiak is rumored to be appointed as the offensive coordinator next season. They need to build a coaching atmosphere in New Orleans to get the run game going. It remains to be seen whether Kubiak will also get rid of quarterbacks coach Ronald Curry and tight ends coach Clancy Barone. But it’s worth noting that Barone worked with him in Denver in 2022.

In case you missed it: