Saints Profile On New Linebacker Coach Peter Sirmon

A quarterback and safety at Walla Walla High School in Washington, Sirmon was recruited as a linebacker to Oregon. He'd have four interceptions in two years with the Ducks and was 1st Team All-PAC 12 in 1999.

The Tennessee Titans selected Sirmon with a fourth-round choice in the 2000 NFL Draft. He'd remain with the Titans for all of his seven-year career until 2006. Over that time, not counting a missed 2004 campaign, Sirmon had four interceptions, five sacks, and 24 tackles for loss.

Sirmon's best year as a Titan was in 2002. He had three interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, while breaking up four passes along with recording two sacks and six tackles for loss among 95 total stops.

In 2008, Sirmon got his first coaching job overseeing the linebackers at Central Washington. After one year there, he'd return to Oregon as a graduate assistant before moving on to the University of Tennessee as their LB coach from 2010-2011.

The Washington Huskies brought Sirmon onto their staff from 2012 to 2013, with him serving as the linebacker coach and recruiting coordinator. He'd move on to USC in 2014, working as the Trojans linebacker coach, recruiting coordinator, and associate head coach for two seasons.

Sirmon landed his first defensive coordinator job in 2016 with Mississippi State. He'd be there for one season before moving on as the defensive coordinator at Louisville. Sirmon was there for one year also before returning to the west coast. 

The University of California hired Sirmon in 2018 as an associate head coach to oversee linebackers. He was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2019 with the added title of recruiting coordinator. Sirmon had been at Cal for seven seasons before getting hired by the Saints, his longest stint with any team.

Known as an incredibly intense coach, Sirmon's California defense held six of their 13 opponents to under 20 points last season. His coaching style might be an excellent fit for incoming rookie defenders and the younger players already on the roster. 

Sirmon's experience as a college coach will certainly come in handy as the Saints head towards the draft. Perhaps even more beneficial will be his work as a recruiting coordinator for the last few years as New Orleans looks to add youth to their roster.