Now this is a welcome surprise. NFL Network’s Jane Slater reports that the New Orleans Saints are planning to interview David Shaw in their search for a new head coach. Shaw had a great run at Stanford coaching college football before he joined the Denver Broncos as a senior personnel executive, teaming up with one of his longtime admirers Sean Payton.
Shaw went 96-54 at Stanford, where he coached up future NFL stars like Andrew Luck and Christian McCaffrey. But he has plenty of pro experience as an assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles, then-Oakland Raiders, and Baltimore Ravens earlier in his coaching career.
And Payton is a big supporter of his, having recruited Shaw to Denver when he bowed out after a 12-year run at Stanford. Back in 2022, Payton stumped for an NFL team to go get him:
“I worked with David Shaw in Philadelphia (with the Eagles), I think he’s an extremely bright candidate. Stanford graduate, he coaches at his alma mater. Every time I bring his name up, everyone says ‘David’s staying in college.’ And I understand that. … Why is it that a young, talented coach, Stanford graduate, West Coast Offense, offensive guy; and I always begin with David because I know him, I know how talented he is. Now he may turn down all of those opportunities. But you know what, he didn’t have those opportunities where someone said, ‘We have to have him.’ Because someone said ‘We have to have (other college coaches like) Nick (Saban), or Steve (Spurrier), or Matt (Rhule).’”
When Shaw’s time at Stanford ended and he did come to the NFL, Payton acted quickly to bring him into the fold. And now Shaw is throwing his hat into the ring to be a pro-level head coach himself. He’s a fascinating candidate as an established program builder with tons of connections around the league. Maybe he could be the breath of fresh air Saints fans have been calling for after their worst season in 19 years.
Update: New reports say the Saints do not have plans to interview Shaw “at this time.”
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