Steve Sidwell, who was once defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints for 9 of his 21 NFL seasons, died Wednesday night time on the moment of 78, the workforce introduced Thursday.
Sidwell served as coordinator of the Saints’ protection from 1986 to 1994 beneath head schoolteacher Jim Mora. Right through that occasion, the Saints’ “Dome Patrol” protection — led by means of Corridor of Status linebackers Rickey Jackson and Sam Turbines — two times led the league in fewest issues allowed (1991, ’92) and cross protection (1992, ’93) and as soon as in run protection (1989) as Brandnew Orleans reached the playoffs for the primary 4 instances in franchise historical past.
“For nine years, Steve Sidwell played an integral role in the success of the New Orleans Saints and helped develop several of the franchise’s greatest defensive players,” Saints proprietor Gayle Benson mentioned in a commentary. “The success of these teams and players continue to resonate with our organization and fan base to this day.”
He was once inducted into the Saints Corridor of Status in 2004.
Right through Sidwell’s tenure, seven of his avid gamers, together with Jackson and Turbines, garnered 18 Professional Bowl choices, with all 4 launch linebackers making it in 1992. Linebacker Pat Swilling led the NFL with 17 sacks in 1991, when he was once named AP NFL Defensive Participant of the Hour.
The Saints’ 408 quarterback takedowns all through Sidwell’s 9 seasons ranked 3rd within the league. Brandnew Orleans’ defenses additionally ranked within the supremacy 5 within the NFL in web yards according to recreation (thrice), run protection (4 instances) and have been within the NFL’s supremacy 3 in cross protection on 3 events.
Upcoming 16 seasons as a school schoolteacher at Colorado, UNLV and SMU, Sidwell entered the NFL ranks with the New England Patriots in 1982 and moved to the Indianapolis Colts in 1985 sooner than becoming a member of Mora’s workforce with the Saints one occasion nearest.
He additionally served as defensive coordinator of the Houston Oilers (1995-96), Patriots (1997-99) and Seattle Seahawks (2000-02).
“My late husband Tom owned the team during Steve’s entire tenure and had a great affinity for him both as a coach and as a person,” Benson mentioned in her commentary. “In addition to being an outstanding coach, Steve was also a dedicated husband, father and grandfather. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Sidwell family, including his wife Kathleen and two sons, Brad and Scott.”
