2012 New Orleans Saints: Handicapping the Interim Coach Search

Earlier today, ESPN and others reported Bill Parcells as saying "Thanks, but no thanks" to the New Orleans Saints interim head coaching position. With Sean Payton's brief flirtation with the idea of his mentor doing him a solid for a year over, the question now is: Who WILL take over for the Saints in Payton's absence?

I've said before that it would be in the team's best interest to have Parcells take the reigns for a year. That would have ensured continuity in the coaching staff when Payton returns. With the Big Tuna in charge, the Saints coordinators could have concentrated purely on his side of the ball.

Now, the head coaching responsibilities will fall on one of these three men: Pete Carmichael Jr., Steve Spagnuolo or Aaron Kromer.

I look at which candidate would be the best fit, and which ones come up a little short.

Best Choice: Pete Carmichael Jr.: Offensive Coordinator/Passing Game

Since Payton's arrival in 2006, quarterback Drew Brees isn't the only person who has been personally groomed for success under him. Pete Carmichael Jr. has transformed from a wide-eyed, first-year quarterbacks coach into a rising star in the coordinator ranks. He took over play-calling duties after Payton went down with a broken leg in Week 6, and the Saints never missed a beat and only lost one more time in the regular season.

Carmichael Jr. has run the passing game since he has been in New Orleans. During that time, the Saints have led the league in yardage in four of his six years, while also leading the NFL in scoring in 2008 and 2009.

He has also watched over the progression of playmakers such as Marques Colston, Jimmy Graham and Lance Moore. He has now become an extension of Payton to Brees and his promotion would ensure that the offense would go on without a hitch. It could also mean losing Carmichael with another good year.  

Second Best Choice: Aaron Kromer, Offensive Line/ Running Game Coordinator

Aaron Kromer might lack the familiarity that Carmichael Jr. has with Brees and the offense, but he makes up for it. He brings over 22 years of coaching experience and has held higher offensive titles longer than Carmichael Jr.

He is also one heck of a running game coordinator/offensive line coach.

Under his tutelage, five Saints blockers have gone to the Pro Bowl. Jahri Evans and Carl Nicks were also first team All-Pros last year. He is known for his attention to detail and his teaching methods.

Whatever they are, they have worked. The Saints have been in the bottom five of sacks allowed routinely under his coaching.

He's no slouch putting together a running game. Last year, New Orleans averaged 132.1 yards-per-game, the most in team history since 1987. While his promotion would be welcomed, Carmichael Jr. being picked ahead of him might be best. It could give Kromer an opportunity to show he can be a coordinator on his own.  

Worse Choice: Steve Spagnuolo, Defensive Coordinator

Steve Spagnuolo is the newest member to the Saints on this list, and he might be the worst choice to lead the Saints in 2012. That is not saying that Spagnolo isn't a good coach; he just might do better getting away from the limelight and rebuilding his image as one of the best defensive minds in the NFL. 

He also is new to this team and would be best served sorting out the impending player suspensions and fresh defensive talent that has been brought in. He has plenty of premier talent coming in (Curtis Lofton, Brodrick Bunkley, etc.) and young prospects (Cam Jordan, Martez Wilson) to help get the stench of the St. Louis failure off of his back.

I believe Parcells would have been the only "outsider" that Payton would turn his team over to. I'm not saying that Payton wouldn't trust Spags, but Carmichael Jr. or Kromer's familiarity with the team would trump Spagnuolo's prior head coaching experience.