SEAN PAYTON TWEAKS SAINTS COACHING STAFF

A colorful crew of head coaches has traipsed through the doors of the dome in New Orleans since the Saints inception into the league in 1967 as an expansion team. 

There was Bum Philips, the Texas native with folksy mannerisms who donned a trademark Stetson cowboy hat as he prowled the sidelines.  Hank Stram marched to a different drummer and viewed football as entertainment.  He owned more than three- dozen suits, 15 sports jackets and innumerable red vests.  And who could forget the hotheaded Mike Ditka who appeared on the cover of ESPN magazine clad in a tuxedo gazing deeply into the eyes of running back Ricky Williams who was wearing a wedding dress.  That picture was worth more than a thousand words.

While these coaches provided endless fodder for newspapers, magazines and sports talk radio they, along with the Saints other ten head coaches were unable to bring a championship to New Orleans.

Could Sean Payton be the one?

In his debut as a head coach in 2006, Sean Payton led the New Orleans Saints to an NFC Championship, earned an unprecedented first round playoff bye, was the unanimous choice for NFL coach of the year and invigorated a city’s damaged spirit.

In his second season, he failed to live up to lofty expectations, was unable to find his footing, and wrapped things up with a disappointing 7-9 record after a dreadful 0-4 start. 

Despite being the architect behind an extremely successful offense, in his third season, he took a team, believed by many to be capable of making it to the Super Bowl and failed to lift them out of last place in the NFC South.

Prior to his stint in the big easy Payton was the assistant head coach of the Dallas Cowboys for three seasons where he worked closely with Bill Parcels.  Before that he was the New York Giants quarterbacks coach for one year before being promoted to offensive coordinator where he was the engine behind a powerhouse offense from 2000-2002.  He also spent a year in Philadelphia as the Eagles quarterbacks’ coach.

As Payton heads into his fourth year with the Saints, and continues his maturization process as a head coach, the unfulfilled expectations of the past two seasons have proven to him that the path to a championship in New Orleans is a journey that begins with the retooling of his coaching staff. 

So Payton wisely spent the off-season focusing primarily on an offensive coordinator, defense coordinator and secondary coach. He shuffled things around, promoted from within and added one of the most respected defensive strategists in the game to the Saints roster.

Here’s a closer look at three key members of Payton’s’ coaching staff.

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR

Pete Carmichael Jr.   was promoted from quarterback coach to offensive coordinator, assuming the position held by Doug Marrone, who left the franchise to take over head coaching duties at Syracuse.  Peyton finalized his decision before the regular season ended.

Carmichael has spent the past three seasons as the Saints quarterbacks coach and is credited for tutoring pro-bowl quarterback Drew Brees in New Orleans and San Diego.  By promoting from within Payton will maintain continuity on an extremely successful, record setting offense.

Payton will continue to call his own plays and as an offensive coordinator Carmichael will serve in an advisory role during games.  During the week Carmichael will actively participate in brainstorming sessions in the offensive coaching room and will continue to develop the offensive game.

Football is a family business for Carmichael.  His father was a longtime NFL assistant coach and former defensive coordinator at Boston College where 12-year-old Pete Jr. enjoyed a sideline view of the action taking place on the field.

Sean Payton hired him away from San Diego.  Carmichael previously worked with new Dolphin head coach Tom Sparano for two seasons, one in Washington and the other in Cleveland.  He also spent four seasons working under former Dolphin coach Cam Cameron in San Diego 2002-2005.

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

Sean Payton was so impressed with Gregg Williams after interviewing him in January that Payton took a voluntary $250,000 salary cut to help facilitate Williams signing with the team.

Williams is regarded by many as one of the most respected strategists in the game, and has overseen top 10 defenses in five of the past nine seasons.  Williams is a big fan of the quarterback blitz and is known for running aggressive, 4-3 schemes.

The19-year NFL veteran has served as the Buffalo Bills head coach and defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans and Houston Oilers.

Payton is looking to Williams to reconstruct a dismal Saints defense that ranked 23^rd last season and allowed 339.5 points per game.

SECONDARY COACH

Dennis Allen was promoted in December to Secondary Coach after a two- year stint as the Saints assistant defensive line coach.

Allen joined the Saints with Payton’s original staff in 2006 and was in charge of the defensive line that was responsible for 290 tackles, six forced fumbles and 28 sacks.  His season was highlighted by the pro bowl selection of DE Will Smith.

Allen began his professional coaching career in 2002 with the Atlanta Falcons where he served for four years as defensive assistant with an emphasis on the defensive line.

Payton is banking on Allen to improve the Saints sketchy pass defense that surrendered 32 touch down passes, tying them with Detroit for the most in the NFL last season and ranked 30^th in the league in total passing defense.