Darren Rizzi (born July 21, 1970) is an American professional football coach who is the interim head coach for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the special teams coordinator for the Miami Dolphins from 2010 to 2018. Prior to coaching in the NFL, Rizzi was the head coach at the University of New Haven from 1999 to 2001 and at the University of Rhode Island in 2008. He compiled an overall record of 18–23. Rizzi has previously served as an assistant coach for the Miami Dolphins, Rutgers University, Northeastern University, the University of New Haven and Colgate University.

Early life

Rizzi grew up in Hillsdale, New Jersey, and graduated from Bergen Catholic High School in nearby Oradell. He was later a resident of Oradell. He graduated from the University of Rhode Island.

Coaching career

Early career

In 1993, Rizzi began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Colgate University. He then served as the special teams coordinator and defensive line coach at the University of New Haven from 1994 to 1996 and he was promoted to defensive coordinator in 1997. In 1998, Rizzi served as the special teams coordinator and linebackers coach at Northeastern University.

New Haven

In 1999, Rizzi was named as head football coach at the University of New Haven. He was the head coach from 1999 to 2001 and compiled a 15–14 record.

Rutgers

In 2002, Rizzi joined Rutgers University as their special teams coordinator. He would serve in that capacity until 2007.

Rhode Island

In 2008, Rizzi was named the head football coach at the University of Rhode Island, his alma mater. In his lone season, Rizzi compiled a 3–9 record.

Miami Dolphins

In 2009, Rizzi was hired by the Miami Dolphins as their assistant special teams coach under head coach Tony Sparano. On October 5, 2010, Rizzi was promoted to special teams coordinator following the firing of John Bonamego. Rizzi coordinated the Miami Dolphins special teams efforts from 2011 to 2018, additionally serving as assistant head coach and special teams coordinator from 2015 to 2016 and associate head coach and special teams coordinator from 2017 to 2018. He was one of few Miami coaches to see multiple regimes. He even interviewed for the head coach position for the Dolphins after the 2018 season. Rizzi was not retained under new head coach Brian Flores.

New Orleans Saints

On February 1, 2019, Rizzi was hired by the New Orleans Saints as their special teams coordinator under head coach Sean Payton. Rizzi would be reunited with Saints assistant head coach and tight ends coach Dan Campbell, who coached alongside Rizzi with the Miami Dolphins from 2010 to 2015, under head coaches Tony Sparano and Joe Philbin. On February 23, 2022, it was announced that Rizzi would be assuming the title of assistant head coach alongside his special teams responsibilities under head coach Dennis Allen. On November 4, 2024, Rizzi was named the interim head coach of the Saints following the firing of head coach Dennis Allen after a 2–7 start of the 2024 season.

Personal life

Rizzi and his wife, Tracey, have five children together: two daughters, Mackenzie and Alexandra, and three sons, Christian, Casey and Cameron.

Head coaching record

College

NFL

• Interim head coach