The leader of a tight ends group that has been a productive if unsung component of an offense that has ranked among the NFL’s top units since 2006, tight ends coach Terry Malone enters his fourth season in New Orleans. Malone brings over two decades of coaching experience to his post, including two stints as an offensive coordinator.

The club’s platoon of tight ends have been solid and consistent as both receivers and blockers under Malone’s tutelage. In 2008, the position combined for 110 catches for 1,193 yards and three touchdowns. Their receptions moved the chains for 68 first downs and they combined for seven grabs of 25 yards or more.

Malone’s work with tight ends has a long history. He worked at Michigan from 1997-2005, including his final four seasons as the Wolverines’ offensive coordinator/tight ends. During Malone’s nine seasons, Michigan won five Big 10 championships and appeared in eight New Year’s Day bowl games.

In his tenure as coordinator the school had 14 All-Big Ten selections and four All-Americans. The Wolverines had back-to-back conference Player of the Year winners on offense (RB Chris Perry, 2003 and WR Braylon Edwards, 2004).

In 2004, the offense ranked second in the Big Ten and 24th in the nation in scoring by averaging over 30 points per contest. The Wolverines were led by Rimington Trophy co-recipient David Baas and Edwards, who won the Biletnikoff Award as the country’s top receiver. QB Chad Henne became the first true freshman in Big Ten history to lead his squad to a conference title and was the first to start a Rose Bowl.

In 2003, Malone was named a finalist for the Broyles award, recognizing the top college assistant. It was a fitting honor, as the Wolverines tied for 12th nationally in scoring (35.4 avg.) and 15th in total offense (446.7 avg.) while setting school records in every passing category. Michigan led the Big Ten in passing (270.8 avg.) for the first time since 1948 and set school marks for total yards (5,807) en route to the conference title.

Malone began his years at Michigan as offensive line coach, with the Wolverines winning the 1997 national title in his first season. His offensive line allowed a conference-low 18 sacks. He would remain in that position until being promoted to offensive coordinator after the 2001 season.

Michigan’s front line had three NFL draft picks in 2001, including No. 1 picks Steve Hutchinson and Jeff Backus and second-rounder Maurice Williams. The line paved the way for RB Anthony Thomas to break all of the Wolverines’ rushing yardage and touchdowns records.

Two Malone-coached players were recognized as the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year: Jon Jansen (1997) and Hutchinson (2000). Hutchinson became just the fourth player in conference history to earn All-Big Ten first team honors after all four years.

Malone arrived at Ann Arbor after spending 1996 as offensive line coach at Boston College on the staff of Coach Dan Henning. Prior to that season, Malone served as offensive line coach, tight ends coach, and offensive coordinator at Bowling Green from 1986-95.

Before returning to his alma mater, Holy Cross, in 1985 to tutor the tight ends, Malone opened his coaching career as a graduate assistant at the University of Arizona, under the late coach Larry Smith.

A native of Redford, Mich., Malone attended The College of The Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass., and started four seasons at tight end. Malone was the Crusaders’ captain as a senior. He earned a degree in history from Holy Cross (1983). Malone and his wife, Ann, have four children, Kara, Patrick, Ryan and Natalie.