The New Orleans Saints have to feel that they're a contender for the Super Bowl this season, and they're staff just got a little bit better.
Videos by FanBuzz
That's certainly bad news for the rest of the NFC, and perhaps even the AFC, because this is a Saints organization and team that has already been very good this season. New Orleans is currently 7-2 and on a seven-game winning streak, having not lost since the first two games of the season.
The Saints have been so good, in fact, that a long-time NFL coach, Mike Westhoff, has actually been coaxed out of retirement — perhaps for a chance at the Super Bowl.
That's at least what's being reported on Twitter:
This is correct. Sources also told ESPN Mike Westhoff is coming out of retirement, expected to oversee Saints special teams and not just be in a minor consultant role ... https://t.co/fViNynsAc8
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) November 15, 2017
Westhoff, who's 69-years-old, is considered to be a special teams specialists, of sorts, so he's a huge pickup for the Saints, especially considering the fact that they're apparently not too happy with their special teams play — despite the win streak.
Here's what he had to say about joining the team, per ESPN:
"If I can solve a couple of problems, I'll try to do it. It's a good challenge. I don't want to be the guy that regrets not having tried something. It made sense to me, so why not?" Westhoff told ESPN's Rich Cimini.
Before his retirement, Westhoff was a long-time coach, both at the professional and college level. His career spanned 39 years, with notable stops with the Miami Dolphins from 1986-2000 and with the New York Jets from 20o1-2012. While he was with the Jets, the team led the NFL in kick returns taken back for touchdowns with 18.
Westhoff will oversee all of the Saints special teams, per reports.