Report: Sean Payton Approaches Bill Parcells About Saints' Interim Head Coaching Job

Report: Sean Payton Approaches Bill Parcells About Saints’ Interim Head Coaching Job

by Ricky Doyle on Mon, Mar 26, 2012 at 2:07PM

Could the Saints be reeling in The Big Tuna?

New Orleans head coach Sean Payton has approached Bill Parcells, and has raised the idea of Parcells becoming the Saints' interim head coach, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

Payton and Parcells have reportedly spoken numerous times since NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced last week that Payton would be suspended for the year as a result of the Saints' participation in a bounty program. And gauging the interest that Parcells has in temporarily taking over on the New Orleans sideline is reportedly among the topics of conversation.

Mortensen reports that it's unclear whether Payton has discussed the idea with Saints general manager Mickey Loomis – who has been suspended eight games — or owner Tom Benson, but Payton and Parcells go back a ways.

Payton served as an assistant head coach under Parcells when the two were with the Dallas Cowboys from 2003-05, and he has reportedly sought his counsel on a regular basis since taking over as the Saints head coach in 2006.

ESPN's John Clayton reports that Payton has already met with his staff and couldn't resolve the interim coaching situation.

There also exists the possibility that Payton could appeal his suspension, which he's reportedly considering, but persuading Goodell to reduce his penalty won't be easy.