[3] Carmichael's first NFL job was in 2000 when he was the tight ends coach for the Cleveland Browns.

He would hold the same position with the San Diego Chargers in 2002[4] until he was promoted in 2004 to the team's assistant wide receivers coach.

Both arrived in New Orleans from San Diego in 2006[5] when Carmichael became the team's quarterbacks coach.

[3] He was named offensive coordinator on January 12, 2009, replacing Doug Marrone, who left to become the head coach of the Syracuse Orange.

During this period, the club's 14-year streak of finishing in the top 10 in offense is the third-longest since the AFL–NFL merger in 1970.