According to information from Nick Underhill of neworleans.football, Phil Galiano, the special teams assistant for the New Orleans Saints, is in discussions with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the open position of special teams coordinator. Galiano has been part of the Saints organization for five seasons, working alongside special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi. Under Rizzi’s guidance, the Saints have consistently fielded one of the NFL’s top special teams units.
In the 2023 season, undrafted rookie kicker Blake Grupe demonstrated strong performance, converting 30 of 37 field goal attempts and successfully completing all 40 extra point tries. Punter Lou Hedley, another undrafted rookie, had a lower net average but excelled in pinning opponents within the 20-yard line. Second-year wide receiver Rashid Shaheed earned his first All-Pro selection with an average of 13.6 yards per punt return. Additionally, the Saints led the league in kick and punt coverage, allowing only 18.8 yards per kickoff return and a mere 5.6 yards per punt return.
Before his tenure with the Saints, Galiano served as a defensive consultant and special teams coordinator at Penn State from 2017 to 2018. He also recently worked as the special teams coach for the National Team at the Senior Bowl. Galiano has prior experience with the Buccaneers, serving as their special teams assistant in 2012 and 2013. His role with the Saints has been his sole coaching position in the NFL thus far.
Should Galiano decide to leave the Saints, he would be the sixth assistant coach to depart the team this offseason. The Saints recently parted ways with offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, wide receiver coach Kodi Burns, offensive line coach Doug Marrone, and senior offensive assistant Bob Bicknell. Additionally, running back coach Joel Thomas left to assume the same position with the New York Giants.
