Stephanie Logue 

Staff Writer

szl414@psu.edu

Payton, 58, has a 152-89 regular-season record and a 9-8 postseason record in 15 seasons with the Saints, including one Super Bowl title and the 2006 AP Coach of the Year award. Payton later stated that his next stop could be television. “I’ve had some opportunities,” he said. “I talked to Drew (Brees) about it a little bit last night. I don’t know that part of it that well, but that would be something that would interest me. To continue with television, Netflix has released a film based on Sean Payton called “Home Team”. Payton’s experience coaching his son’s football team is the subject of the film. The film is set during the 2012 NFL season, when Payton was suspended by the league for the Saints’ bounty controversy.  People are tilting their heads in response to one scene in particular. Payton makes a brief appearance as a janitor wearing a terrible wig. Sean Payton is played by Kevin James, and his son’s football coach is played by Taylor Lautner. Payton spent his time away from professional football as an assistant coach for his son’s sixth-grade football team, where he got new insight into his life and the sport. Happy Madison Productions, the business founded by actor Adam Sandler, produced the picture.

According to Ian Rapoport (sports writer, television analyst who primarily covers the National Football League). Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is the frontrunner to succeed Payton. Rapoport also stated that Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn will also be interviewed. After an exceedingly difficult and challenging season, Payton, who had three years left on his contract, had not committed to returning to coach New Orleans. Gayle Benson, the owner of the New Orleans Saints, revealed the uncertainty in New Orleans on Monday. To quote directly she said “I don’t think any of us know” what Payton’s future with the team is.

Now we know, and the Saints’ grueling 2021 season will be his final with the team. Payton acknowledged that there is talk that he may want to coach someplace in 2022 — he has been linked to Dallas, where he spent three years as an assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach before coming to New Orleans — but that isn’t on his radar right now. “I felt like 10 years went by and we talked about the other team for a lot, and I get it, I understand it. But no, my plans are not to be coaching in 2022. And that’s just how I feel,” Payton said. Benson, who was present at the press conference, issued a statement on behalf of the team thanking Payton for his services to the franchise and the community. 

“On behalf of our entire organization, I have the highest appreciation for what Sean Payton has meant to the New Orleans Saints since 2006,” Benson said. “Sean came to New Orleans during what was a difficult time for our organization, as well as the entire Gulf South region following Hurricane Katrina. Under his leadership, Sean helped lead this football team to new heights with easily its most successful period, showing what can be accomplished with a combination of vision, hard work, leadership of his coaching staff and players. We are grateful for everything Sean has given to this organization and this city and I give my best wishes to him and his lovely wife Skylene in the future.”

Payton’s stint with the Saints, who were once abysmal, was nothing short of extraordinary. In 2006, the coach arrived in time for the franchise’s historic signing of Brees. Payton and Brees worked together to transform a team that had been little more than a laughingstock for much of its history into a perennial contender. The reversal was immediate, with Payton’s team winning 10 games in its first season and defeating the Philadelphia Eagles in the Divisional Round before losing to the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game. Payton’s chance at a championship came a few years later, when he guided the Saints to a 13-3 regular-season record, a first-round bye, and two NFC playoff victories, including a thrilling overtime victory over Brett Favre’s Minnesota Vikings. On the path to the franchise’s first and only Super Bowl victory, the team played a game that would later become the focus of much controversy. Payton won the Super Bowl four years after taking over the position, defeating the formidable Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV. Following the league’s investigation into New Orleans’ bounty program, he was suspended for one season three years later. 

When Payton returned, the Saints resumed their quest for football glory, winning 11 games in 2013 before sliding into a three-year rut that saw them end 7-9. Payton, on the other hand, weathered the storm, finishing the decade with three straight winning seasons from 2017 to 2019. None saw the Saints return to the Super Bowl, with two seasons ending in tragic fashion in an overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams that sparked controversy and a one-season NFL rule change (the temporary implementation of reviewable pass interference). Payton’s coaching legacy extends beyond the Lombardi Trophy he won with the Saints. The former Eagles, Giants, and Cowboys assistant moved through the ranks to become an NFL cornerstone, serving in the same job in New Orleans from 2006 to 2021, with the exception of the 2012 season, which he missed due to suspension. Payton’s impact extended beyond Louisiana, and he served on the league’s competition committee for four years. The Saints were always considered playoff contenders under Payton’s watch, and they even fought to the end of their first season without Brees before being eliminated with a 9-8 record.

Payton isn’t sticking around for the changes, given the possibility of a rebuild and the certainty of uncertainty at quarterback. One season of insecurity appeared to be enough for the coach, who was forced to start more quarterbacks than any other coach in the NFL (four: Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill, Trevor Siemian, and Ian Book). Payton acknowledged on Tuesday that he approached Brees about coming out of retirement to end the Saints’ season before their Week 16 meeting against the Dolphins. Payton will now leave the sideline as New Orleans’ mayor, which he has occupied for more than a decade. GM Mickey Loomis will have a difficult time filling his shoes, since he hasn’t had to hire a full-time head coach since sacking Jim Haslett following the 2005 season.

The New Orleans Saints official twitter account wrote “You became our coach after the biggest natural disaster in U.S. history hit our state. You forever changed the culture of our organization, bringing us to unbelievable heights. Our gratitude for the impact you have made on our state, city, & team is immeasurable.”  #ThankYouSean 

Sean Payton showed his gratitude by saying “”Thank you for giving me this opportunity to be your head coach for 16 years.” 

Some notable figures shared their opinions as well on their official twitter accounts. Cameron Jordan, who plays for The New Orleans Saints as a defensive end tweeted “That’s my HC! At the end of the day if Seans stepping away he has a master plan. Nothing but love for you Sean if this is it for you as my HC then I thank you for drafting me, building phenomenal teams like ‘11 ‘18-21 first off the top of my head. 11 yrs my coach, forever RESPECT”. John Bel Edwards, Louisiana’s Governor tweeted “Thank you, Coach Payton, for 16 incredible years leading our @Saints through good times and bad. You came to New Orleans at a time when spirits were broken and hope seemed lost, but you gave the city and fans something to rally behind and be proud of.” #lagov 

Sean Payton has made a huge impact on Football and his coaching will always be remembered.