Bret Ingalls, a coaching veteran of over two decades, joined the Saints staff in January as running backs coach. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his post, including the added perspective of having served four stints as an offensive coordinator on the college level.

Ingalls has spent the last three seasons at Northwestern University, where in 2008 he was running game coordinator/offensive line coach. Ingalls molded a line without extensive starting experience into the cornerstone of an offense that led the Wildcats to a nine-win season. Northwestern rushed for over 1,800 yards and ranked second in the Big 10 for fewest sacks allowed.

In 2007, the offensive line blocked for the Big Ten’s top-ranked passing attack, and in 2006 led the way for 1,705 yards rushing.

Ingalls spent 2005 at Miami University (Ohio), working with the tight ends and tackles, and spent the previous season with Indiana State. From 2000-03, he was the offensive coordinator at his alma mater, the University of Idaho, where he also tutored the quarterbacks and running backs for two seasons each.

From 1997-99, Ingalls served as offensive coordinator/offensive line coach at Northern Iowa and he held similar positions at Louisville from 1995-96. In 1994, he coached the offensive line at Eastern Michigan.

Ingalls held several positions on the offensive side of the ball at San Diego State from 1989-93. Over those years, he had stints as offensive coordinator (1992-93), offensive line coach (1990-92) and running backs coach (1989, 1993). While running backs coach, he tutored RB Marshall Faulk, who twice led the nation in rushing.

Ingalls' coaching career began at Idaho, where he graduated in 1984. After serving as a student defensive backs coach, he was assistant offensive line coach from 1984-85 and running backs coach from 1986-88. Idaho won four Big Sky Conference championships during his tenure. While at the school, over his final two seasons Ingalls was on the same staff with current Saints wide receivers coach Curtis Johnson, and the two would also work together at San Diego State.

A native of Snohomish, Wash., Ingalls was a starting running back at Wichita State (1979-81). He graduated from Idaho in 1984 with a degree in business.

Ingalls and his wife, Diana, have two sons – Samuel and Jack – and a daughter, Breana.