Steve Sidwell, who was defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints for nine of his 21 NFL seasons, died Wednesday evening at the age of 78, the team announced Thursday.
Sidwell served as coordinator of the Saints' defense from 1986 to 1994 under head coach Jim Mora. During that time, the Saints' "Dome Patrol" defense -- led by Hall of Fame linebackers Rickey Jackson and Sam Mills -- twice led the league in fewest points allowed (1991, '92) and pass defense (1992, '93) and once in run defense (1989) as New Orleans reached the playoffs for the first four times in franchise history.