Shortly after the team announced Sidwell’s death, Saints coach Dennis Allen, a defensive coach himself, remarked after practice on Thursday, “He was a fantastic defensive coach in our league—a ton of success.”
“He oversaw the ‘Dome Patrol’ defense, which serves as the New Orleans Saints’ defensive benchmark and something we kind of strive to be.” Today is a depressing day for our company.”
During his 21 NFL seasons, Sidwell spent nine of them with the Saints, where he was led by head coach Jim Mora from 1986 to 1994.
The four starting linebackers in that formation—Rickey Jackson, Sam Mills, Pat Swilling, and Vaughn Johnson—formed the Dome Patrol when the Saints played a 3-4 defense.
Jackson and Mills, two of those linebackers, have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
New Orleans advanced to the playoffs for the first four times in team history behind Sidwell’s defenses, which twice led the league in fewest points allowed (1991, ’92) and pass defense (1992, ’93), and once in run defense (1989).
The New Orleans Saints’ owner, Gayle Benson, released a statement saying, “For nine years, Steve Sidwell played a vital role in the success of the organization and helped develop several of the finest defensive players.” “Our organization and fan base are still affected by these teams’ and players’ successes today.”
Seven of Sidwell’s players—including Jackson and Mills—were selected for eight Pro Bowls overall during his coaching career; in 1992, all four starting linebackers were selected. In 1991, Swilling won the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year award after leading the NFL with 17 sacks.
During Sidwell’s nine seasons with the Saints, 408 quarterback sacks placed them third in the league. In addition, New Orleans’ defenses were in the top three in pass defense three times and in the top five in the NFL in net yards per game and run defense four times.
Sidwell joined Mora’s staff with the Saints in 1982 after serving as a college coach for 16 seasons at Colorado, UNLV, and SMU. He then moved on to the NFL, first with the New England Patriots in 1982 and then, in 1985, with the Colts.
In addition, he was the defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks (200-02), Patriots (1997–99), and Houston Oilers (1995–96).
According to Benson’s statement, “my late husband Tom owned the team during Steve’s entire career and had a strong fondness for him both as a coach and as a person.” Steve was a wonderful instructor, but he was also a devoted husband, father, and grandpa. The entire Sidwell family, including his wife Kathleen and his two kids, Brad and Scott, is in our thoughts and prayers.
