NFL

Saints hire Doug Nussmeier as offensive coordinator

The fit here is good, as Nussmeier has coached with new Saints head coach Kellen Moore since 2020. Serving since then as a quarterbacks coach, Nussmeier worked for the Cowboys, Chargers and most recently, the Eagles. The Eagles’ success surely had something to do with this hire, but there are reasons for pessimism.

For one, Nussmeier has never been an NFL offensive coordinator. In and of itself, that’s not a big deal. Many coordinators hired, especially these days, have no experience in the role. Also, Nussmeier was an offensive coordinator at the FBS level — to varying degrees of success — for five different programs. But the lack of experience calling plays in the NFL for Nussmeier, 54, feels notable.

This hire simply feels like it had to be made. And that’s not a great thing. Moore likely felt loyalty to Nussmeier, but a wider net could’ve led to a better candidate.

Grade: C

NBA

Spurs C Victor Wembanyama out for season with shoulder injury

Well, this came out of left field. The Spurs are 3.5 games back of the final play-in spot, so this injury doesn’t have significant title implications. It does, however, greatly affect San Antonio. Wembanyama should be ready for the start of next season, but his developing chemistry with De’Aaron Fox will be put on hold. Also, the 21-year-old will be ineligible for all regular-season honors, most notably Defensive Player of the Year. At the end of the day, though, as long as Wembanyama fully recovers, this injury isn’t catastrophic.