Carolina Panthers Request Interview With New Orleans Saints Coach for DC Job

The Carolina Panthers may pilfer an NFC South rival for their vacancy at defensive coordinator. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports the team has requested permission to interview New Orleans Saints defensive backs coach Kris Richard.

The #Panthers requested permission to speak with #Saints defensive backs coach Kris Richard for a possible defensive coordinator job, source said. They are conducting HC interviews and DC interviews concurrently. Richard likely will get others.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 16, 2023

Richard played defensive back for the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers for four seasons after being taken 85th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft. He moved to coaching in 2008 and got his first NFL job in 2010. He was the Seattle Seahawks defensive backs coach from 2011 to 2014 and rose to defensive coordinator in 2015. He was a key part of a legendary "Legion of Boom" Seahawks defense that allowed the fewest points in the league for four consecutive seasons and made two Super Bowls, winning one.

Richard transitioned back to coaching defensive backs with the Dallas Cowboys from 2018 to 2019 and then with the Saints from 2021 to 2022. He also served as co-defensive coordinator on the Saints this past season, helping lead the team to a fifth-ranked finish in yards allowed.

Richard has a near-elite resume as a defensive coach and could be a great get for the Panthers, so long as he's a good fit with whoever the organization settles on at head coach. Robbing the Saints of a promising young member of their coaching staff would also be quite the bonus.