Saints’ Head Coach Search: Looking At Some Top-Tier Candidates
We look at five top-tier coaching prospects for the Saints and what they can offer to the table.
The Saints are on a bye week, which provides us some time to think about the future. According to general manager Mickey Loomis, New Orleans is not actively searching for a new head coach. However, they will have to sort it out quickly. We have discussed what awaits the future coach with this particular position, so be sure to check it out.
When the Saints needed to replace Sean Payton, they scheduled five interviews: Brian Flores, Doug Pederson, Aaron Glenn, Dennis Allen, and Darren Rizzi. We’d expect them to do a thorough search this time around, but it depends on how New Orleans finishes the season. We’ll take a look at the first group of enticing prospects, whether you consider it a top-tier list or not.
Potential Saints Head Coach Candidates
Darren Rizzi, (Saints’ Interim Head Coach)
The track record for temporary head coaches, particularly those from special teams, does not look well for Darren Rizzi. However, Rizzi’s performance in only a few weeks has been nothing short of extraordinary. In the same breath, it is two weeks.
Rizzi must continue to perform well in order to be considered the man in New Orleans. I believe that going 5-3 would force the front management to seriously consider him as their next leader. Anything beyond that should only strengthen his argument.
Aaron Glenn, 52 (Lions’ defensive coordinator)
Obviously, Aaron Glenn has several organizational relationships. He played for the Saints in 2008 and was their coach from 2016 to 2020. Glenn’s tenure as Detroit’s defensive coordinator did not begin well, but he has since rallied and helped the team become a top unit.
He knows what the standard is in New Orleans and is obviously a player’s coach. Would getting someone like a Dennis Allen be the best thing for the team going forward? That remains to be seen. However, Glenn has to be look at as one of the leading candidates in the building.
Ben Johnson, 38 (Lions Offensive Coordinator)
He’s likely going to be the top candidate again for a lot of teams that are looking to fill their head coaching vacancy. He had several interviews over the past two years, but decided that staying with the Lions was the right call. In turn, that has only helped him out. What he’s done with Jared Goff and the Detroit offense has been something.
His offensive prowess is certainly appealing in a lot of ways, and that would beg the question on what would happen to the Saints offensive staff if Johnson were to move in. A bright young mind with a lot going for him is something New Orleans could use. Sean Payton was 38 when he became coach back in 2006, for what that’s worth.
Belichick has a desire to continue coaching, as he’s said publicly. However, it’s going to have to be the right situation. There’s reported interest in the Jaguars, but Doug Pederson is also still employed. Belichick is obviously going to get into the Hall of Fame easily, so is it worth delaying that after a one-year hiatus? Age is just a number, but how effective can he be and how much control would he get wherever he goes? There’s more than a few questions for Belichick, but he’ll be a hot name in this coaching cycle.
Mike Vrabel, 49 (Brown Coaching and Personnel Consultant)
Vrabel’s first few years with the Titans weren’t bad at all, as he showed that being a former player turned into a head coach works. However, the final two years in Tennessee were fairly disappointing, for a variety of reasons. He’s going to have some interest and needs to find the right fit. As a defensive-minded coach, that has to be appealing to New Orleans. Vrabel is a very no-nonsense type of guy, and players can respond to that. However, that could butt heads with the higher-ups.
