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The New Orleans Saints have overhauled the coaching staff Thursday, firing assistant head coach/LBs coach Joe Vitt, special teams coordinator Greg McMahon and his assistant Stan Kwan, defensive line coach Bill Johnson, and assistant coach/LBs James Willis, per Alex Marvez.
Source tells @sn_nfl that @Saints have fired assts Joe Vitt, Bill Johnson, Greg McMahon, Stan Kwan & James Willis
— Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) January 5, 2017
The news was corroborated by NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, who included a not so hot take.
This is true. And indicates Sean Payton is staying in New Orleans. https://t.co/GnkvjWP5nx
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 5, 2017
Vitt joined the Saints as an assistant to Sean Payton since his arrival in 2006 and served as the interim head coach for 12 games in 2012, during Payton’s suspension stemming from the infamous Bountygate. Assistant LBs coach and former player James Willis, was released after two seasons.
Greg McMahon also joined the Saints in 2006 as the assistant special teams coach under then special teams coordinator John Bonamego before being promoted to coordinator in 2008. Veteran assistant special teams coach Stan Kwan was released after four seasons with the club.
Louisiana native Bill Johnson formerly coached with the Atlanta Falcons and the Denver Broncos before landing in New Orleans in 2009. Fox 8 Reporter Garland Gillen reported that Johnson simply didn’t re-up and that the parting was mutual.
#Saints defensive line coach Bill Johnson didn't re-sign with the team. It was a mutual parting of ways.
— Garland Gillen (@garlandgillen) January 5, 2017
Former Saints LB Scott Shanle posted a statement about his former coaches on his Twitter.
— Scott Shanle (@scottshanle) January 5, 2017
That’s all we have for now, folks. We’ll be sure to keep you posted on any new developments as they emerge. I didn’t want to write it myself, so I’ll just leave you with this last little nugget via Jeff Duncan.
#Saints fans have called for the heads of Johnson, McMahan & Vitt for years now. Someone in the Saints facility apparently heard them.
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) January 5, 2017