Clancy Barone enters his second season as the tight ends coach for the New Orleans Saints. With 35 years of coaching experience, including 17 years in college football and 18 years in the NFL, Barone brings a wealth of knowledge to the Saints. New Orleans marks his sixth NFL team, having most recently coached the tight ends for the Chicago Bears from 2020-21.

Barone’s extensive NFL coaching resume includes stints with the Falcons (2004-06), Chargers (2007-08), Broncos (2009-16), and Vikings (2017-18), where he coached either tight ends or the offensive line. He has coached four players to Pro Bowl selections with four different teams: Alge Crumpler (Falcons), Antonio Gates (Chargers), Julius Thomas (Broncos), and Kyle Rudolph (Vikings).

During his two seasons in Chicago, Barone developed both veteran and young players. In 2021, Cole Kmet achieved a career-high 60 receptions for 612 yards in his second season. In 2020, the Bears returned to the postseason, with Jimmy Graham leading the team with eight touchdown catches, the second-most among NFC tight ends, and adding another in the playoffs.

Before joining the Bears, Barone served as the tight ends coach (2017) and co-offensive line coach with the Vikings, contributing to the team’s 13-3 season and NFC Championship game appearance. Under his guidance, Rudolph recorded 57 receptions for 532 yards and eight touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl selection.

Barone’s tenure with the Broncos saw the team win Super Bowl 50 and appear in Super Bowl XLVIII. He coached tight ends (2009, 2011-14) and the offensive line (2010, 2015-16), with Thomas making back-to-back Pro Bowl appearances from 2013-14 and ranking second in the NFL in touchdown receptions during that period.

In San Diego (2007-08), Barone coached the tight ends as the Chargers secured consecutive AFC West titles, with Gates earning Pro Bowl selections each season. Gates led all NFL tight ends in touchdown receptions (17) during Barone’s tenure and ranked in the top four for receptions (135) and receiving yards (1,688).

Barone’s first NFL coaching position was with the Falcons in 2004 as the assistant offensive line coach. The team led the NFL in rushing and reached the NFC Championship Game. In 2005, Barone became the Falcons’ tight ends coach, guiding Crumpler to Pro Bowl selections in both 2005 and 2006, with Crumpler achieving career-high statistics under his mentorship.