By now we have a good idea of the names on top of the list in the New Orleans Saints head coach search. Possible replacements for Dennis Allen include Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, both former Sean Payton assistants who general manager Mickey Loomis knows well. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi is a candidate to win the job, too, given his support in the building.
See a pattern developing? This report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is continuing that narrative, but he included a fascinating nugget about one new name. If he becomes available, Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy (and his impressive 174-110-2 record) could be someone to watch. Here’s what Rapoport shared on the Saints head coach search:
The feeling in league circles is that general manager Mickey Loomis will lean towards someone he knows, with Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn — who narrowly lost out to Allen last time around — a frequent name mentioned. Interim coach Darren Rizzi is beloved in the building and expected to be a candidate, especially with the way a locker room decimated by injuries has continued to fight for him. Mike McCarthy and Bills OC Joe Brady have Saints roots, too. But the team is looking into all the top candidates.
It would be a bit of a surprise to see the Cowboys fire McCarthy even after their 7-8 slump this season, which was derailed by an injury to star quarterback Dak Prescott. He led them to a 12-5 record in each of the last three years and has continued to receive public backing from team ownership. But if he does become available, he fits the mold Loomis has been using to find head coaches.
If Loomis is allowed to pick the next coach for the Saints (which is expected to be the case, even if it shouldn’t be given his poor decisions as of late), McCarthy looks like an easy pick.
And he does have New Orleans roots — McCarthy’s first opportunity calling plays in the NFL came in New Orleans when he worked as Jim Haslett’s offensive coordinator from 2000 to 2004. Like Sean Payton, McCarthy has a Super Bowl win on his resume, but he’s earned a reputation for being a great regular season coach who can’t seal the deal in the postseason. His 1-3 playoff record with the Cowboys hasn’t helped that perception.
Still, he’d be a better hire than Dennis Allen was back in 2021, and for fans hoping to see an offensive-minded coach leading the team, he’d be a great pickup. But he isn’t even available right now. So let’s just tap the brakes and see how this situation develops in the weeks ahead.
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