Tag: Anthony Weaver

Silence is an answer in New Orleans Saints head coaching search

The longer the New Orleans Saints don’t announce their new head coach, the more likely it will be Philadelphia Eagles OC Kellen Moore:

The New Orleans Saints are the only remaining coaching vacancy in the NFL, and the longer that remains the truth, the more obvious the selection. The Saints conducted their final interview on Monday when they flew to Philadelphia to meet with Kellen Moore.

Moore is the clear frontrunner for the job at this point, but the Saints can’t officially announce him as the head coach until after Super Bowl LIX since the Philadelphia Eagles are participating. That means they must wait until Monday, Feb. 10 to make it official.

If the Saints go into next week without a head coach, it’s a very safe assumption Moore will be the coach. If they decide to go in any other direction, all the other options are available to be hired at the present moment.

It also shouldn’t take two weeks to decide you want to go with a candidate such as Anthony Weaver. The Saints’ decision on who their next head coach will be should be done soon, if not already decided on. If there isn’t an announcement soon, they’re waiting until after the Super Bowl for a reason.

If Moore is the choice, New Orleans has to be careful to take the proper steps when approaching him. The Arizona Cardinals had to swap third-round picks with the Eagles after being found guilty of tampering with Johnathan Gannon for not adhering to the NFL contact schedule.

So far, the Saints have seemed to go by the book. Seeing that New Orleans needs to reload the roster, being forced to swap picks with the Eagles would be impactful.

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Latest update reveals Anthony Weaver is long shot for Saints job

The Saints still haven’t hired a head coach, but it’s not looking like it’ll be Anthony Weaver.

The New Orleans Saints are the only team left without a head coach for the 2025 season and Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver is one of only a few candidates to land the job. His chances of getting the gig look pretty slim, though.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Saints have informed candidates for the position that they won’t make a final decision until after Super Bowl LIX next weekend. That’s when New Orleans will be allowed to continue discussions with Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore about the role

Moore, 37, has emerged as a significant favorite to get the job. The Saints’ decision to delay its head coaching hire until mid-February only perpetuates the sense that Moore landing in New Orleans is inevitable.

That presumably means that Weaver is set to return as the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator for a second season. Miami added the former Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans assistant during the 2024 offseason, and the Dolphins finished No. 4 in yards allowed in his first season with the team.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel has worked with three different defensive coordinators in as many seasons in Miami. Retaining Weaver would provide the team with continuity on that side of the ball for the first time in McDaniel’s tenure.

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Report: Underrated coach candidate made a ‘strong impression’ with Saints

Kellen Moore looks like the favorite for the Saints head coaching vacancy, but don’t count out Anthony Weaver. ESPN reports he made a strong impression:

The New Orleans Saints flew out to Philadelphia to meet with Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator, Kellen Moore. The aggressiveness of this move suggests he is the Saints main target, but don’t count out Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator, Anthony Weaver.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports Weaver “has come up often as a candidate that’s made a strong impression.”

Of the names who have interviewed, Moore, Weaver, Mike Kafka and Darren Rizzi, Fowler’s report could suggest Weaver has an advantage over most of the candidates. Weaver has been the recipient of positive endorsements

Mike McCarthy isn’t a part of the group since he has yet to meet with the Saints. NFL Insider Josina Anderson reported a possible disconnect between both sides on certain details. Those details feel like potential non-negotiables for McCarthy.

If McCarthy never enters the picture, let’s say the Saints are left with having to pick between Weaver and Moore. That’s one coach who made a strong enough impression to be a constant talking point. You took a trip to the other coach to interview him instead of waiting for him to come to you.

Dolphins star discusses why Anthony Weaver deserves to be a head coach

Dolphins safety Jevon Holland has high praise for Saints head coach candidate Anthony Weaver: ‘He’s the type of individual that needs to be in that position’

Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland discussed a wide variety of topics on the “Breakin’ House Rules” podcast hosted by NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe, but his commentary on Anthony Weaver stood out. The Dolphins defensive coordinator New Orleans Saints fans is a finalist in the team’s head coaching search, and few know him better than his own star players.

Holland had exceptionally high praise for Weaver, and even went as far as to call him “galvanizing,” saying a move to head coach would bring the best out of him. He was asked what he would say to people who are asking how Weaver would be as a head coach.

“I think Weav’ would be a galvanizing individual as a head coach,” Holland began. “I think he has the presence, the attitude, and the mindset to lead men. I think that’s the biggest thing as a head coach is you have to be a leader of men, and I think Weav’ has that through and through. Because he’s a great defensive coordinator and I think he does a great job, but him standing in front of the whole room trying to bring everybody together and into one direction, I think that is like … He’s the type of individual that needs to be in that position, I think that’s where he’ll thrive the most. So, 100%, I hope he gets a head coaching job, because it will definitely be fun to see the culture that he’ll establish.”

This is a very positive review from one of the best young safeties in the game, who has had a chance to learn under Weaver and develop into a phenomenal player. Most players will give positive reviews one way or another, but saying your coach will thrive in a new position at head coach is something very few would be willing to commit to. It is a huge testament to Weaver’s coaching style and his ability to, as Holland puts it, lead men.

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Where the Saints should turn after missing out on Joe Brady

With Joe Brady remaining with the Buffalo Bills for the 2025 season, where should the Saints should turn in their head coaching search?

I will start this article out by stating that I personally do not dislike any of the candidates the Saints are looking at, and while I have preferences toward who may be the better or worse candidates, there is not one in particular that doesn’t have a reason to become a head coach. That said, the New Orleans Saints are now down another candidate, as Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady has chosen to stick with his current team rather than pursue the Saints head coaching gig.

This leaves the Saints with six viable head coaching candidates: Anthony Weaver, Mike McCarthy, Kellen Moore, Darren Rizzi, Mike Kafka, and maybe Kliff Kingsbury. Three of these coaches have completed in-person interviews so far (Weaver, Kafka, and Rizzi) with the other three expected to look at doing so within the next week. Their top option Aaron Glenn passed on them too.

Now that Brady is off the table and there are only six candidates remaining, a choice will have to be made sooner rather than later, and while I have been a strong proponent for McCarthy or Kingsbury previously, it seems Weaver may be the best fit for the team.

When you take a look at the Miami Dolphins defense from 2024, it was one of if not the most under appreciated units in the entire sport, producing in both run defense and pass defense. While it was by no means perfect, when it comes down to it, it was high quality and was near other premier defensive units in the league statistically.

When it comes to pass defense, they were among the best ten groups in passing yards allowed (9th), passing touchdowns allowed (6th), passing first down percentage allowed (tied-5th), 20-plus yard passing plays allowed (3rd), and completion percentage allowed (9th).

On the run defense side they are also efficient, ranking among the best ten in rushing yards allowed (9th), rushing touchdowns allowed (tied-7th), rushing first downs allowed (6th), and rushing yards per game (9th).

The one issue they had predominantly was generating sacks, as they had the 6th least with 35. This is something that could potentially be fixed under Saints defensive line coach Brian Young with a full offseason to work with that group as their leader, or with a new defensive coordinator of Weaver’s choosing.

While choosing another defensive coach is not the flashy option, he is on the younger side at 44 years old (younger than McCarthy, Rizzi, and Kingsbury) and has proven to be effective at creating a quality defensive unit. The question would be who is the offensive coordinator to make the play calls, whether it be Klint Kubiak or otherwise it will be an intriguing decision to make. Regardless, turning to Weaver at this juncture may be the Saints best bet.

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Saints could expand their coaching search after missing on top target

Aaron Glenn chose the Jets, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport suggested it opens the door for the Saints to add more candidates to their search:

The New Orleans Saints’ preferred head coach, Aaron Glenn, chose his preferred destination, the New York Jets, and the Saints have pivoted to the rest of their list as expected.

Post-snowstorm New Orleans have interviews scheduled new dates for interviews with Mike Kafka, Mike McCarthy and Aaron Weaver. Wednesday night, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Joe Brady and Kellen Moore will join that list. That was another step that was easy to predict.

Things get interesting when Rapoport says there could be more coaches added to the list

Kliff Kingsbury was once on the Saints’ radar. He chose to put off all head coaching interviews until the Washington Commanders are out of the playoffs, prioritizing game prep with his current team over interviewing for another job.

It’ll be interesting to see if he chooses to take interviews during the week between the conference championship and the Super Bowl, if the Commanders make it past the Philadelphia Eagles, since he won’t be preparing for a game at the end of the week.

Kingsbury is the first name that come to mind when Rapoport opens the door for more candidates to enter the mix.

Any new candidates would have to do a virtual interview first, in turn extending the process. It may feel unlikely, but that wasn’t a slip up by Rapoport. He must be hearing the Saints considering an expanded search.

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Saints complete second interview with Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver

The New Orleans Saints announce they have completed a second interview with Miami Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver for their head coach opening.

We have completed an in person interview with Anthony Weaver for our head coach position. pic.twitter.com/Z4zc7ABoM4

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) January 24, 2025

The New Orleans Saints have gotten past the snowy weather and are back to interviewing some head coach candidates announced they have completed their second interview with Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.

Weaver has been a growing name in the coaching cycle for the last couple of years and will almost certainly get a job at some point in the near future. He does not look to be interviewing with the Dallas Cowboys, the only other opening, so the Saints will likely get to the choice to hire him if they so wish.

Hiring him would be an investment into culture. His defenses have had solid results, but the most glowing praise comes from his ability as a leader. With their interest in Mike Vrabel and Aaron Glenn earlier in this search, it would make sense for Weaver to be the choice.

New Orleans may be running unopposed for remaining HC candidates

As the coaching dominos continue to fall, the New Orleans Saints may have no competition for their top remaining candidates:

The New Orleans Saints lost their top head coach candidate, Aaron Glenn, to the New York Jets, but they aren’t at risk of losing any others on their list. They’ll have their pick of Joe Brady, Mike McCarthy, Mike Kafka, Anthony Weaver and Darren Rizzi.

The dominos were expected to fall quickly after Glenn and Ben Johnson were free to sign, and that’s exactly what happened.

Johnson went to the Chicago Bears, and the offensive coaches started coming off the board. The Las Vegas Raiders are rolling with Pete Carroll, and the Jacksonville Jaguars’ wild coaching search is ending with Liam Coen.

The Dallas Cowboys are the only other vacancy, and all signs point to them promoting offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to head coach.

This would leave the Saints as the only remaining team without a head coach. Even with the Cowboys still open, none of the Saints candidates have met with the Cowboys. Even if Dallas copied everyone on the list, New Orleans would still have McCarthy to themselves, at the least.

New Orleans wasn’t going to rush their interviews; they couldn’t if they wanted to, due to a rare winter snowstorm slowing travel in the Southeast. Now, they can be as patient as they want.

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Saints officially reschedule in-person interviews with several head coach candidates

The New Orleans Saints officially rescheduled their in-person interviews with several head coach candidates after a historic snowstorm struck the Gulf South:

The New Orleans Saints have officially rescheduled in-person interviews with a couple of head coaching candidates in the wake of the city’s record snowfall, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The team will be flying both Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver and New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka to New Orleans in the next couple of days. Weaver is expected to arrive ahead of Kafka this Friday, while Kafka will be looking to interview on Saturday.

It was also noted that former Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay packers head coach Mike McCarthy will likely have his first interview with the team sometime next week. Philadelphia Eagles OC Kellen Moore and his Buffalo Bills counterpart Joe Brady are also expected to interview soon, with the date pending as both will be coaching for a shot at the Super Bowl this weekend.

With the league’s top candidates now off the board, the Saints will likely slow down their approach a bit and thoroughly evaluate each of their options going forward.

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Saints reportedly postpone interview with Dolphins DC due to weather

Anthony Weaver is a candidate to become the Saints head coach, but a winter storm is shaking things up.

The New Orleans Saints are set to interview Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver for their head coaching vacancy for a second time, but that chat is on hold for now.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Saints are postponing several of their scheduled coaching interviews, including their talk with Weaver, due to a winter storm in the Gulf Coast.

The weather delay could change things, though.

Among the candidates who now won’t be able to interview with the Saints until a later date is Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who could become the New York Jets’ head coach before New Orleans ever gets a second chance to interview him.

While Weaver is no sure thing to accept a head coaching job even if it’s offered, it’s possible his competition for the Saints vacancy could dwindle as other NFL teams make hires. Weaver also interviewed to become the Chicago Bears’ head coach, but the team hired Ben Johnson on Monday.

During Mike McDaniel’s tenure as the Dolphins’ head coach, he’s had three defensive coordinators in as many seasons. Keeping Weaver, who led a Miami unit that finished No. 4 in the NFL in yards allowed, would be a bit of defensive stability that the team has lacked in recent seasons.

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