NFL, Team News / Analysis, Rumors, Bill Parcells, Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints
Embattled New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton sure doesn't look like he's giving up on the New Orleans Saints 2012 season. Despite Payton's suspension as head coach for the entire 2012 season -- plus more suspensions on his coaching staff, the Saints' front office, and probably some players -- it appears Payton still intends to open a can on the rest of the NFL.A can of tuna, that is. ESPN reported early Monday afternoon that Sean Payton has approached Bill Parcells to coach the Saints for the duration of Payton's one-year suspension.
Under this scenario, Parcells would serve as the Saints' interim coach for the 2012 season. Payton would then resume coaching the Saints once the season is over, with Parcells presumably stepping aside after one season.
Presumably.
Payton faces a one-year suspension for his role in the Saints' bounty program that provided cash incentives for injuring opposing players. His suspension is slated to take effect April 1 -- just five days from now.
Sean Payton and Bill Parcells have worked together before, and reportedly remain in close contact. Payton served as the Dallas Cowboys' assistant head coach from 2003-2005, when Parcells was head coach. The ESPN report indicates that Payton and Parcells have spoken numerous times since Payton's suspension was handed down.Parcells, for his part, claims the Saints have not contacted him. At the same time, Parcells did acknowledge to ESPN that Payton "has spoken to him about how to handle the (2012) season".
Should Parcells actually return to coach the Saints -- and we have no way to know how he feels about this proposition -- his Hall of Fame clock would be set back yet again. Parcells did not make the final cut for the 2012 Hall of Fame class. Should he coach in 2012, Parcells would not be eligible for Hall of Fame consideration again for another five years.
That factor hasn't really deterred Parcells in his previous three comings-out of retirement.
The Saints, for their part, face a serious quandary in filling Payton's shoes for the upcoming season. New Orleans' assistant head coach Joe Vitt would be a logical fill-in for Payton, but Vitt is also suspended for six games in relation to the bounty scandal. ESPN's report claims Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, Jr. does not want the head coaching position, and that new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is considered too new to the franchise to take over the entire program.
The Saints would be Parcells' fifth NFL head coaching position. Parcells additionally served as Executive VP of the Miami Dolphins from 2008-2010. He's won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants.
3/27/12 | derms33 | 17265 respect
Mort reports that statement is false
3/27/12 | richard_cranium | 17410 respect
Easiest way to keep from getting ESPN's lies, Stop Watching ESPN!
3/27/12 | derms33 | 17265 respect
first off, Parcells should be in the HOF...2nd, why bother coaching NO? They currently have Chase Daniel as their starting QB...Being punished for bounties and getting Parcells to coach hardly seems fair, then again, nothing fair about this whole thing
3/27/12 | Tigers2010 | 646 respect
ESPN needs to stop feeding lies to us.
3/26/12 |
Pat
|
4513 respect
It wasn't Parcells' idea... and he's not trying to resurrect his career, even if he takes this job. It's just a temporary gig, and basically a favor for a friend. They're not trying to find a replacement to take over for Payton, just someone to keep his seat warm for a year, and someone who would be happy to leave when Payton's suspension is over.
3/26/12 | Jeff_P | 19483 respect
these OLD TIME coaches.......GET OVER IT....stay on the sidelines...YOUVE HAD YOUR TIME...YOURE OLD AND OUTDATED.......
3/26/12 |
Scott
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41447 respect
So much for the bounty ball punishment. Next best thing to Payton being on the sidelines would be a Hall of Fame coach who has 2 Super Bowl wins
3/26/12 |
Pat
|
4513 respect
This makes a lot of sense for Payton and the Saints. Parcells is competent enough, and there would be no threat for him to take Payton's job after this year, since he has no interest in coaching long-term.