Why Interim Saints Coaching Gig Would Ruin Bill Parcell's Legacy

Bill Parcells is the perfect fit for the New Orleans Saints. However, the Saints are not the perfect fit for Parcells.

After having Sean Payton on his staff from 2003-05 in Dallas, Parcells would keep the New Orleans offense rolling right along. But Parcells has been a coach of patience and building as opposed to quick spots in the hopes of a fast turnaround.

As the New York Giants did in 1983, Parcells was given the opportunity to rebuild a franchise. After all, Big Blue was in dire straits courtesy of the abysmal 1970s, and the early 1980s didn't provide much hope.

Well, eight years later Parcells had two Super Bowl rings, an 8-3 playoff record and three NFC East division championships. After a brief hiatus, Parcells resurfaced with the New England Patriots in 1993 and just like the Giants, four years into his stint the Pats were in a Super Bowl.

Although New England had lost their in their Super Bowl bid, it was the third time Parcells had gone to the big game in exactly four separate seasons as a head coach. In other words, Parcells knew how to build a team in four years and give the franchise an opportunity to bring home the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

The year 1996 was his last season in New England. In 1997, Parcells joined the New York Jets, the Pats' and Giants' rival. The Jets organization was a little more impatient with Parcells, and he was gone after just three seasons.

Looking back on it, that was a big mistake by Gang Green. In 1996, the Jets went 1-15 and were easily the worst franchise in pro football. When Parcells came aboard in 1997, the Jets had an eight-game turnaround to 9-7 and were in the AFC championship game in 1998.

So in two years, Parcells came within one game of the Super Bowl, but was gone after the 1999 season with just a .500 record.

The Jets never gave Parcells an opportunity to completely build his team, and despite making four postseason appearances from 2000-2008, Gang Green never made it past the Divisional Round. Had Parcells been with the Jets for at least another three years, Gang Green would have made a Super Bowl run.

Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys then gave Parcells four seasons from 2003-06. However, it was obvious that more time was needed to rebuild

Dallas had three winning campaigns in four years, but Big D wasn't patient enough and it showed when the 2007 and 2009 playoffs happened under Wade Phillips. Not having coached in the previous five years, New Orleans would only fit Parcells if it needed a long-term head coach.

A one-year opportunity isn't an ideal situation for Parcells because what's the point of taking an opportunity that you know will be gone a year later? For a coach that has built his legacy on being patient with players and assistants in order to let them develop, a one-year coaching gig doesn't do the future Hall of Famer any good.

The Saints' opportunity is great for a coach who's looking to make a name for himself and potentially get another offer before the 2013 NFL season. Considering that Parcells will be turning 71 years old before this season, there's no point for him to make a brief appearance.

If anyone is going to give Parcells another chance, provided he's interested, that franchise must allow him to build for at least five years.

For a coach who's already achieved pro football's ultimate goal, it's simply not worth it to fill a one-year void. That has not been Parcells' philosophy and just imagine if the Saints were to crumble. His legacy would be tarnished and would never look the same again.

John Rozum on Twitter.