Entering his second season with the Saints, Aaron Kromer takes over as offensive line/running game after serving as running backs coach in 2008. For Kromer – an 18-year coaching veteran – it will be a seamless transition in a career where he has built a track record of success tutoring outstanding offensive linemen. He will also be involved in the design and blocking schemes of the rushing attack.

Kromer arrived in New Orleans in 2008 after a three-year stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, including his final two as senior assistant/offensive line coach. He has developed the skills of a handful of Pro Bowl blockers during his time in the NFL, and the former college offensive lineman is known for his teaching skills and attention to detail.

Kromer’s achievements in leading the running backs coach last year for the Saints were many. RB Pierre Thomas emerged as a top threat over the last half of the season, rushing for 625 yards, hauling in 31 passes and scoring 12 touchdowns. Despite missing six games, Reggie Bush added 844 yards of offense and six TDs. As a unit, the running back corps combined for 2,472 yards from scrimmage and 28 TDs.

At Tampa Bay in 2007, Kromer coached an offensive line that cleared the way for the Buccaneers to rush for 1,872 yards and average nearly 327 yards of offense per game. That season, G Arron Sears earned All-Rookie honors under Kromer’s tutelage. In 2006, despite his unit losing a total of 23 starts from injuries, Kromer prepared a pair of rookie starters weekly and Tampa Bay cracked the 1,500-yard rushing milestone.

He was the senior assistant for the Buccaneers in 2005, working primarily with the offensive line. The Buccaneers surpassed the 100-yard rushing plateau in 10 contests, and Kromer helped polish the skills of All-Rookie selection G Dan Buenning. Following the season, Kromer was selected by former Bucs coach Jon Gruden to attend the NFL’s Coaches Career Development Symposium.

Kromer arrived in Tampa Bay after spending four seasons with Oakland as the offensive line coach from 2002-04 and assistant offensive line coach in 2001. The Raiders’ offensive front was the foundation of a unit that led the NFL in total offense in 2002 – the same season the club advanced to Super Bowl XXXVII.

While in Oakland, Kromer tutored Pro Bowl selections T Lincoln Kennedy (2001-02) and C Barrett Robbins (2002) and also coached 2004 All-Rookie selection T Robert Gallery. Prior to joining the Raiders – his first NFL assignment – Kromer served as the offensive line coach at Northwestern from 1999-2000, with the Wildcats leading the Big Ten in total offense in his final season.

He had previously spent nine seasons (1990-98) at Miami University (Ohio), his alma mater, where Kromer gained a wealth of experience and perspective while holding several assignments. He coached the offensive line in 1998, after previously working with the tight ends/H-Backs, defensive line and special teams. Kromer was a graduate assistant at the school from 1990-91.

Kromer lettered at Miami at offensive tackle from 1987-89 and served as a captain his last two seasons – one of only four players in the history of the program to serve as a two-time captain. He was a recipient of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete Award and graduated with a degree in education. Kromer earned his master’s degree in education administration in 1991.

Kromer and his wife, Dawn, have a son, Zachary, and a daughter, Brooke.