Are Gregg Williams Days Numbered In New Orleans? Sporting News Says Maybe

Sporting News magazine named New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams as one of ten potential new head coaches in the National Football League next season.

Williams, a former Buffalo Bills head coach, is known for his aggressive, attack-style defenses that feature multiple looks and packages. The Saints defense forced 39 takeaways last year and is ranked in the top ten in total defense in 2010. He stirred up a national controversy prior to last year's Super Bowl when he remarked that the Saints defense would have to deliver "remember me shots" on Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning in order to win the game.

With the firings of Wade Phillips, Brad Childress and Josh McDaniels, and with John Fox, Marvin Lewis, Mike Singletary and others on the hot seat, there will be several head coaching vacancies come 2011.

Williams has never denied he would welcome the opportunity to be a head coach again if the right opportunity presented itself.

Sporting News says of Williams' personality, "Challenges his players but credits them when he gets results. He is not opposed to using the media to send a message."

Williams' flair for the dramatic and dial-a-quote style lie in direct contrast with his boss, the humble and low-key Sean Payton.

Sporting News says the Saints defensive coordinator has plenty of smarts.

"His blitz packages are creative and often lead to turnovers," writes Sporting News columnist Clifton Brown. "Even hampered by injuries this season, the Saints defense remains near the top of the league statistically. "

Drew Brees often credits Gregg Williams as one of the reasons for his success. Brees says having to go up against a Williams defense every day in practice has made him better at making quick decisions.

However, New Orleans fans should not give up hope of retaining Williams.

Several factors bode in the Saints' favor: Williams' stay in Buffalo was not a pleasant one and he was a frequent target of the New York media; he knows that with Drew Brees at QB, he has a chance at more Super Bowl rings in New Orleans; and Jason Garrett and Leslie Frazier appear to have at least an even shot at having their statuses changed from interim to permanent.

Nevertheless, Williams is bound to get a few phone calls from potential employers.

"(Williams) is very passionate with a brilliant mind," New York Jets and former Saints QB Mark Brunell told Sporting News. "He's very vocal. Whatever he's thinking, he's going to say. He's a good football coach, one of the best I've been around."