Tag: search

Report: Sean Payton ‘definitely is still in play’ for Cardinals and Broncos head coach searches

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that former Saints coach Sean Payton ‘definitely is still in play’ for the Cardinals and Broncos openings:

Here’s the latest on the Sean Payton news cycle from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, who joined the Pat McAfee Show on Friday to downplay rumor-mongering from some fake news accounts on social media and share what’s actually being said around the league as Payton looks for his next job. The market seems to have cooled rapidly on the former New Orleans Saints head coach as teams get a better idea of what it would take to pull him out of broadcasting with FOX Sports and get him on their sidelines.

The Carolina Panthers have hired Frank Reich, the Houston Texans are closing in on DeMeco Ryans, and both Payton and the remaining teams with coaching vacancies — the Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos — are left trying to figure things out as other coach candidates like Jim Harbaugh and Dan Quinn take themselves off the market.

“So here’s where it stands,” Rapoport began, “Obviously (Payton is) not in play in Carolina. In Houston there’s no second interview scheduled, does not feel like there’s any momentum there. Arizona he was at (Thursday), sounds like that went well, and as of right now that is still a possibility and still in play.”

Rapoport acknowledged that there’s been grumbling over what it would take to acquire Payton, with Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill having just paid out massive contract extensions to former coach Kliff Kingsbury and general manager Steve Keim before moving on from both of them and hiring Monti Ossenfort as GM. All of that movement is expensive, beyond Payton’s own salary demands, and the draft capital it would take to net his coaching rights from the Saints.

He continued, “I think there’s interest. Arizona was interested in Frank Reich, was interested in Dan Quinn, not getting either of them. Sean Payton… we’ll see, but that would make some sense. And Denver, he has not been eliminated there. I know they like DeMeco Ryans a lot. But he’s still in play there as well. So returning to FOX now, maybe, but he definitely is still in play in two places.”

Will either the Cardinals or Broncos pony up what Payton is seeking? Talks wouldn’t have gotten this far without a general understanding of what the Saints are seeking in draft pick compensation, so that’s not an issue. The problem is whether either of those teams are willing to match Payton’s contract requirements and give him the organizational control he’s seeking. Hopefully this will all wrap up soon so we can talk and write about things that are real and material, rather than more reports and speculation about what may or may not happen.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyahgz6p2j3xp7 player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

[listicle id=121350]

Sean Payton delays second Broncos interview, will meet with Cardinals

Sean Payton delayed his second Broncos interview, will meet with the Cardinals first after a sit-down with the Panthers. Is it more likely he goes back to FOX?

Sean Payton is a busy man. Nola.com’s Jeff Duncan reports that the former New Orleans Saints head coach interviewed with the Carolina Panthers on Monday, as was expected, before flying out for a Thursday meeting with Arizona Cardinals brass. Payton initially planned to slot his second Denver Broncos interview on Wednesday or Thursday, but the Broncos are still finalizing their own schedule with various candidates so this opened up a window for the Cardinals to fit him in.

It sure doesn’t seem like any of these teams view Payton as their top candidate, ahead of all others, which might make it less likely he’ll become one of the NFL’s highest-paid coaches. The longer this process takes to play out, could it become more likely Payton stays with FOX Sports? None of these jobs are perfect opportunities. If a team gets cold feet about meeting his contract demands, he could simply stay in the TV studio another year and reassess his opportunities in 2024.

That would be bad for the Saints. They desperately need to trade Payton for a first round pick in the 2023 draft after fumbling theirs away last offseason. If Payton stays out of football another year, it severely limits their options this year and hurts their leverage next offseason. With just one year left on their contract with Payton in 2024, the Saints would be pressured to accept lesser trade packages or risk losing Payton for nothing in the following cycle.

Hopefully it doesn’t come to that. These teams are clearly interested in Payton’s services right now, and these meetings are opportunities for him to stand out from the crowd as a proven Super Bowl winner. It’s best for New Orleans if he gets moved in the next week or two. Let’s see if that materializes.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyahgz6p2j3xp7 player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

[listicle id=121186]

Search continues for Hawaii angler pulled overboard by ‘huge fish’

Authorities are searching for a man who appears to have been pulled overboard by a large tuna while fishing Sunday off South Kona, Hawaii.

Authorities are searching for a man who appears to have been pulled overboard by a large tuna while fishing Sunday off South Kona, Hawaii.

Mark Knittle, 63, was fishing with a friend about four miles beyond the Honaunau Boat Ramp when the pre-dawn incident occurred, according to Hawaii News Now.

Knittle, from the community of Captain Cook, had just hooked the tuna and told his friend, “The fish is huge,” moments before going over the rail.

Mark Knittle image courtesy of Hawaii Fire Department

It was not clear whether Knittle was harnessed to his rod and reel and fishing with a super-tight drag, which could explain how he could be pulled overboard.

ALSO: Florida motorist encounters massive python on highway; video

The friend tried to grab the line and also jumped overboard to try to reach Knittle before he vanished underwater.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported that Hawaii Island police have opened a missing person case involving Knittle, who is 5 feet 10, weighs 185 pounds, and has curly brown hair and a white mustache and beard.

The search, involving the U.S. Coast Guard and Hawaii Fire Department, was scheduled to continue Tuesday.

–Yellowfin tuna image is generic

[listicle id=1999778]

Sean Payton linked to Broncos head coach search by multiple reports

Sean Payton has been linked to the Broncos coach search by multiple reports, but that interest may be one-sided. At the end of the day, Payton has to actually want the job:

This isn’t going to slow down any time soon. Sean Payton has been linked to the ongoing Denver Broncos head coach search by multiple reports, but that interest may be one-sided. At the end of the day, Payton has to actually want the job. The ex-New Orleans Saints head coach will have his pick of opportunities once the NFL’s hiring cycle kicks off in earnest.

Firstly, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reported a shortlist of names on the Broncos’ radar — leading with former Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn but including Miami Dolphins pass game coordinator Darrell Bevell, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Demeco Ryans, and Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen, plus Payton. Before you get started, yes, the Broncos have enough draft capital to make a competitive offer for Payton.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler followed up by mentioning Denver’s interest in Payton, noting that the Broncos are expected “to at least check on Sean Payton and possibly make a major run at him.” Fowler cautioned that Payton’s preference for coaching the Los Angeles Chargers and quarterback Justin Herbert is the “worst-kept secret” in league circles, but it’s unlikely that job opens up after Chargers coach Brandon Staley won a playoff berth with two weeks left in the regular season.

Funnily enough, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio used that same language to describe rumors swirling of Payton hoping to team up with Tom Brady in New Orleans, taking his old job back from his handpicked successor Dennis Allen. So if we’re reading the tea leaves here, Payton would rather coach Herbert in L.A. or return to his old office with a future Hall of Fame quarterback in tow before considering other jobs.

That’s not to say he won’t take a look at what rebuilding teams like the Broncos, Carolina Panthers, and Indianapolis Colts have to offer, but those situations lack some of the appeal he’d find elsewhere. But that’s just our interpretation of what’s going around these days. More coaching vacancies will open up around the league in the weeks ahead, and we should expect Payton to make a move somewhere. Maybe he comes back to the Saints (who, for their part, have done little but voice enthusiasm for Allen’s stewardship). Maybe he ends up with one AFC West team or another. All we can do is wait and see.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyahgz6p2j3xp7 player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

[listicle id=120104]

Which PGA Tour Player Impact Program recipients were searched the most in 2022?

With the year coming to a close, which of the PIP recipients were searched the most in 2022?

The purse for the PGA Tour’s Player Impact Program continues to swell, but as with everything, the added cash has brought added strings.

For example, at the Tour Championship, commissioner Jay Monahan explained that players would be eligible for their share of the $100 million in bonus money only if they played in the 13 elevated events plus three more of their choosing during the upcoming 2023 season.

Of course, a key component of the Tour’s PIP is engagement, or using social media to keep one’s name relevant.

That got us thinking, with the year coming to a close, which of the PIP recipients were searched the most in 2022?

Overlooking the possibility of a late push (these numbers are from Jan. 1 to Dec. 17), here’s the list of PIP recipients who fans Googled over the past 12 months.

12 head coach candidates Saints should consider in 2023

After spurning head coach candidates like Eric Bieniemy and Brian Flores, the Saints have fewer options if they move on from Dennis Allen in 2023. Keep an eye on these names:

They haven’t done anything to suggest change is coming, but it almost feels inevitable that the New Orleans Saints will have to dismiss Dennis Allen. He inherited a 9-win team and turned it into one of the least-aggressive and poorly-coached squads around the league, prone to more procedural fouls and pre-snap penalties than many of their peers. Whether the Saints want to admit it or not, this story ends with showing him the door. If they’re smart they’ll cut their losses sooner rather than later.

No one set higher expectations for the Saints this year than the team themselves, billing this season as a return to form with playoff aspirations. Instead they hemorrhaged star talent during the offseason, losing players like Marcus Williams, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and Terron Armstead while getting next to no compensation and subpar replacements. They tried to maintain continuity from Sean Payton’s success and instead just look like a poor imitation.

And it all starts and ends with Allen. This team was built in his vision and with his priorities in mind. That clearly wasn’t the right direction to go. So if the Saints do make a move from Allen at the end of the 2022 season, which head coach candidates stand out best in 2023?

Tabbing another in-house promotion wouldn’t make sense. That’s what got the Saints in this mess in the first place. Shuffling the staff and putting someone like Doug Marrone, Darren Rizzi, or Kris Richard on top isn’t the move. We also should assume that candidates the team met with and passed over last year won’t be interested in a second round of interviews — why should they give the Saints another chance? It takes good coaches like Brian Flores, Aaron Glenn, and Eric Bieniemy off the table, but that’s what the Saints get for not hiring them when they had the chance. Still, maybe one of them ends up viewing this as their best opportunity to lead an NFL team and circles back anyway.

Up-and-coming offensive coordinators are all the rage these days, and a couple of them are already building buzz ahead of the next NFL hiring cycle. Philadelphia Eagles O.C. Shane Steichen has a lot of fans, as does his Detroit Lions counterpart Ben Johnson. But more-experienced coaches like Frank Smith (in his 16th year in the NFL, now with the Miami Dolphins) are also out there. San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans is highly regarded and figures to have his pick of job offers, though he may look for a better situation than what New Orleans has to offer.

What about a curve ball? Michigan Wolverines firebrand Jim Harbaugh is reportedly being monitored by NFL teams on the lookout for their next head coach, and he’s exactly the sort of program-builder the Saints need in the wake of Payton’s abdication. And what about Sean Payton himself? All speculation has centered on where he’ll go after quitting on them, but it’s possible they try and talk him into sticking around after his one-year sabbatical. That would destroy the front office and ownership’s credibility and remove any and all illusions that this isn’t Payton’s team (with or without him), but we can’t rule it out. Crazier things have happened, but it doesn’t get much crazier than that.

That’s enough chatter. Let’s break down the list:

Authorities: Missing Montana hiker was killed by grizzly bear

Authorities in Montana confirmed late Friday that a hiker who had been reported missing was likely killed during an encounter with a grizzly bear.

Authorities in Montana confirmed late Friday that a hiker who had been reported missing was likely killed during an encounter with a grizzly bear.

Craig Clouatre of Livingston was reported overdue from his hike in the Six Mile Creek area on Thursday, according to the Bozeman Daily Chronicle and Idaho Statesman.

A search-and-rescue team from the Park County Sheriff’s Office located his body Friday morning. The agency did not provide details but Sheriff Brad Bilcher posted the the following statement to Facebook:

“It is with a very heavy heart that I am writing this update. After an extensive search this morning we have located Craig. It appears he had an encounter with a grizzly and unfortunately did not survive.

“We will continue to work through the afternoon to bring Craig home. Please keep his family and all those involved in your thoughts and prayers.”

The post garnered nearly 200 comments from people expressing sympathy and offering condolences for Clouatre’s family.

Grizzly bears are emerging from hibernation and searching for food. People venturing into the wilderness are urged to carry bear spray and to hike in groups whenever possible.

–Grizzly bear image is generic

Saints interview Chargers LB coach Michael Wilhoite for DC job

The Saints interviewed Chargers linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite, a former assistant with New Orleans, for their defensive coordinator job:

[mm-video type=video id=01fvdabw9h5033rw8dnd playlist_id=01eqbyahgz6p2j3xp7 player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fvdabw9h5033rw8dnd/01fvdabw9h5033rw8dnd-7d44df81ec092dda8eaab4ece5e021cd.jpg]

Well that’s interesting. The New Orleans Saints are continuing to meet with outside candidates for their two open coordinator jobs, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reporting that the team brought in Los Angeles Chargers linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite to interview for their defensive coordinator job. Detroit Lions secondary coach Aubrey Pleasant previously met with the team to discuss the job.

But Wilhoite isn’t too unfamiliar with Dennis Allen’s established system. He coached on the staff as an assistant in 2019 and 2020, before leaving for a promotion with first-year Chargers head coach Brandon Staley’s crew in 2021. Now he’s back in New Orleans seeking another step up the ladder.

He would be a fascinating hire. Wilhoite is a former player, having spent most of his career with the San Francisco 49ers (beginning in 2011) and finishing up with the Seattle Seahawks (after the 2017 season), with much of his contributions coming in the kicking game. He started out in that phase with the Saints as a special teams assistant in 2019, then moved to defensive assistant om 2020.

And he’d likely be seen as a developmental option for the Saints. It’s unclear yet whether Allen will relinquish defensive play-calling duties to a new coordinator, and if he chooses to hold onto his headset Wilhoite would get to see how it’s done firsthand in preparation for his own gig someday. Bringing in an outsider would also help keep other in-house assistants where they’ve done their best work as position coaches.

But we’ll have to wait and see how this unfolds. If the Saints are treating this coordinator search as they did the head coach process, they’ll interview all external candidates before turning attention to in-house options like defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen and secondary coach Kris Richard. It gives relative outsiders a shot at making a strong first impression.

[listicle id=109549]

Saints to name Dennis Allen their new head coach

The search is over: the Saints are expected to name Dennis Allen their new head coach

[sendtonews_embed video_id=”jKQx8M3hG3-1778263-7498″]

The New Orleans Saints took their time in identifying options to step in as their next head coach, patiently working through a strong, diverse list of candidates over nearly two weeks. Days’ worth of interviews led them to a conclusion that they feel is the best direction to guide the team: promoting longtime defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported that the Saints informed Allen he’s won the job.

Allen, 49, has been a head coach before — though his Raiders tenure is maybe best forgotten. He’s learned a lot during the decade since that stint, taking over the reeling Saints defense from Rob Ryan in 2015 and building it into the strength of the team. Promoting him to head coach not only gets someone with plenty of experience in that role; it also allows the rest of the coaching staff to remain intact, keeping the best people in the best positions to do their jobs.

We’re at a fascinating crossroads. The Saints have enough pieces in place right now to pull off a rare feat and smoothly transition from one successful era under one coach into a new period of playing winning football. If this hire works out as planned, New Orleans might be seen in the same light as other NFL blue bloods like Green Bay and Pittsburgh. It’s a tantalizing possibility, and something older fans who came up when the Saints were a laughingstock at best might have never imagined.

But that’s underselling how much work the new coach has ahead of them. They’ve got to take a hard look at the roster and the coaching staff and determine whether everything is as it should be. They’ve got the means to shake things up with the help of a progressive, forward-thinking and aggressive front office. It’s anyone’s guess as to how the post-Sean Payton era will play out, but the Saints have followed a good process to get here, and that often leads to good results.

[listicle id=65612]

Saints wrapping up head coach search after 8-hour Eric Bieniemy interview

Saints wrapping up head coach search after 8-hour Eric Bieniemy interview:

[mm-video type=video id=01ft9d142f2vv8w1eedx playlist_id=01eqbyahgz6p2j3xp7 player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01ft9d142f2vv8w1eedx/01ft9d142f2vv8w1eedx-dcf20158ff8b1a33b06e7e42f24db8e1.jpg]

No one can say the New Orleans Saints aren’t doing their homework in the search for Sean Payton’s successor. They spent “nearly eight hours” meeting with Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy on Sunday, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, and he’s expected to be the final candidate they meet with. After reaching out to nine different coaches about the job, the Saints ultimately interviewed six of them. Now it’s time to whittle down their list and focus on finalists for the job.

And Bieniemy made a strong case. The Athletic’s Katherine Terrell spoke with Saints general manager Mickey Loomis earlier this week, who said their meetings with head coach candidates have typically run up to six hours. As to the content of this long-running conversation, well — that’s between Bieniemy and Loomis. But they obviously had plenty to discuss.

We should expect some movement in the days ahead as the Saints circle back for any second interviews or inform other candidates that they’ve fallen out of consideration. And they could just come out and announce their new head coach first thing Monday morning after sleeping on it. It’s a very fluid situation, but it’s clear that Loomis and the team brass have put in the work to make an informed decision. Their process has been commendable. Let’s hope it leads them to make the right call.

[listicle id=65612]