Well, this is stunning. Multiple reports linked New Orleans Saints defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen to the LSU Tigers as a favorite to land their open coordinator job, but on Thursday it was widely reported that he would be staying in New Orleans.
Initially, it appeared the Saints wouldn’t allow Nielsen out of his contract so that he could return to the college ranks (he was first hired out of N.C. State, having coaching their defensive line and worked as recruiting coordinator). And then ESPN’s Mike Triplett reported that the negotiations resulted in Nielsen inking a three-year contract extension with the Saints as well as the title of assistant head coach.