The Saints have completed another in-person interview for their head coach vacancy, this time with Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka. With this interview, New Orleans has also fulfilled the Rooney Rule requirements.
Kafka is the third candidate to be interviewed in person, following Anthony Weaver on Friday and Darren Rizzi over a week ago.
As the last team with a head coaching vacancy, the Saints now have the luxury of taking their time to make a decision. Other teams, including the Raiders, Jaguars, and Cowboys, have recently filled their openings, leaving New Orleans with a strong pool of candidates to choose from.
Mike McCarthy appears to be a frontrunner due to his connections with Mickey Loomis from their time together between 2000 and 2004. However, there’s also interest in candidates like Joe Brady and Kliff Kingsbury. McCarthy’s offensive approach, which incorporates elements of the West Coast system similar to what New Orleans ran under Klint Kubiak, aligns well with the team’s recent style.
Whoever is selected as the next head coach will have authority over the current staff, who remain in their positions until the new hire decides their fate.
ICYMI: Can The Saints ‘Get It Right’ And Nail Their Head Coach Hire?
“We’ve gotten it right before,” New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis remarked during his year-end media session. Loomis was referencing the franchise’s pivotal decision nearly two decades ago to hire a young and confident Sean Payton. Notably, he wasn’t speaking about Dennis Allen, though he did say, “I don’t regret” that particular hiring.
Saints fans, however, are hoping for a decision they can celebrate. Many have watched as organizations like the Patriots, Bears, Jets, Jaguars, Raiders, and Cowboys swiftly moved to secure new head coaches.
As of tonight, New Orleans remains the only franchise yet to fill its head coaching vacancy.
Across the league, names like Mike Vrabel, Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn, Liam Coen, Pete Carroll, and Brian Schottenheimer have gone through exhaustive interview processes, with their respective teams making decisive hires. Now, the Saints appear to be zeroing in on their own historic decision.
Anthony Weaver recently completed his in-person interview, while Mike Kafka and Mike McCarthy are reportedly in the final rounds of consideration. Could fan-favorite Joe Brady enter the mix after the Bills face off against the Chiefs in the AFC Championship? And let’s not forget Kellen Moore, whose name continues to generate buzz.
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