Saints fire defensive coordinator Gibbs

Jan 7, 2009 - 11:21 PM METAIRIE, Louisiana (Ticker) -- The New Orleans Saints on Wednesday fired defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs.

Despite an offense that scored a league-high 463 points, New Orleans finished just 8-8 and in last place in the NFC South due to a weak defense this season.

"This was a very difficult decision to make," Saints head coach Sean Payton said. "Gary Gibbs is a fine man and football coach who has worked diligently during his tenure with the Saints. I thank him for the many contributions that he has made to this team and wish for continued success in his career."

In his third year with the Saints, Gibbs presided over a unit that held just two opponents under 20 points this season.

The Saints won the division title in 2006 in Gibbs' first season as the defense allowed 76 fewer points from the year before (322 from 398). But the team regressed the past two seasons, yielding 388 and 393, respectively.