The fraternity of NFL offensive linemen always has been a close-knit one.
For example, when Saints assistant line coach Zach Strief was offered a promotion by the Broncos last February, he took it. Sean Payton, his former head coach when Strief played on the line for 12 years with the Saints, would again be his boss in Denver.
Doug Marrone, the Saints current offensive line coach and himself a former NFL lineman, needed a replacement for Strief. Who could be better than former Saints six-time Pro Bowl guard Jahri Evans, who retired in 2017 after an outstanding NFL career.
“I think Jahri will be a good assistant for our coaching staff and more so probably for the players,” Marrone explained when asked about the hire. “I think he’s a person who’s had a lot of success playing. He has done everything the right way and is a great example for younger players coming into the league at what they need to do.”
Evans was drafted by the Saints in the fourth round in 2006. He started all 183 games he played in the league with the Saints and in his final season in Green Bay. His six-year consecutive Pro Bowl streak was from 2009-14.
“I’ve always discouraged young players from moving into coaching when their playing days are over,” Marrone says. “It’s a great profession but it’s a tough business. You move your family around quite a bit and it’s tough on them. But I think Jahri will be very successful. He was in our camp last summer as part of a diversity coaching fellowship program and we saw him working well with the young linemen. He worked under me and Zach (Streif) and we saw what he was capable of.”
Is Marrone disappointed he lost Strief?
“Zach was ready for the move,” Marrone says. “He is someone who is extremely smart and very good at explaining, coaching and communicating. It was a good opportunity for him to work in Denver and one he had to take.”
Doug Marrone, who has made a dozen stops during his coaching career from Cortland State (NY) to Jacksonville (FL), is looking forward to working in the trenches with his new assistant offensive line coach Jahri Evans.
We at NFL Alumni wish them –and all you offensive line alums—much success and good health.
