Metairie, LA (My Sportsbook) - The New Orleans Saints have named Gregg Williams their new defensive coordinator.

Williams spent the 2008 season in charge of the Jacksonville Jaguars' defense, after spending four seasons in the same capacity with the Washington Redskins. He was the head coach of the Buffalo Bills from 2001 through 2003.

"We targeted Gregg as the coach we'd like to hire after our first interview because he was so impressive and prepared," Saints head coach Sean Payton said on the club's website. "As an offensive coach, I have game-planned against his defenses in the past, and I know the problems they create."

The Saints were in the market for a new defensive coordinator after Gary Gibbs was fired earlier this month. Gibbs had spent three years directing the New Orleans defense, which this past season allowed the fourth-most points in the NFC.

Jacksonville finished 17th in total defense this past season and allowed the fifth-most points in the AFC on the way to a 5-11 finish.

As head coach with the Bills, Williams posted a record of just 17-31, but his defenses improved each season. In his last year of 2003, the Bills had the second-ranked defense in the league.

During his time with Washington, the Redskins allowed only 19.4 points per game -- ninth-fewest in the NFL.

Before taking the head coaching job in Buffalo, Williams spent 11 seasons as an assistant with the Tennessee franchise -- the last four years as defensive coordinator.