Earlier this year, the New Orleans Saints fired Head Coach Dennis Allen. Most fans and experts thought the move was a good one. Allen didn't have the best record as head coach and there were very few positives to point to under Allen's leadership. However, as good of a decision it was to fire Allen, the search for their next head coach hasn't exactly been going great. There's been weather delays and some missed opportunities with highly favored candidates.

Update on the Saints Coaching Search

Cincinnati Bengals v Dallas Cowboys
Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images
loading...

The Saints have talked to a LOT of Head Coach candidates. And, for a time, it looked like they may have been closing in on a deal with Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. He was actually scheduled for a second interview with the Saints this week, but that was ultimately postponed due to snow. And then Glenn signed on to be the Head Coach for the New York Jets. Rumor has it that the reason he opted for the Jets over the Saints had to do with GM Mickey Loomis. Maybe that tension could have been smoothed over with an in-person meeting. But we'll never know due to the snowstorm in New Orleans that delayed the search for a week.

On top of missing out on Aaron Glenn, the Saints have also missed on getting Mike Vrabel or legendary coach Pete Carroll. Vrabel signed on with the Patriots and Carroll just signed on with Raiders.

So, who does that leave for the Saints? According to ESPN, it sounds like the Saints are circling around 7 finalist.

Favorites to Be the New Orleans Saints Next Head Coach

According to ESPN, here are the 'finalists' for the Saints HC job: interim coach Darren Rizzi, Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver, Bills OC Joe Brady, Giants OC Mike Kafka, Eagles OC Kellen Moore, former Saints OC & Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy and Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury.

On top of the candidates listed by ESPN, Las Vegas betting odds (we'll get to them in a second) also have Chiefs OC Matt Nagy listed as one of the top contenders for the job.

Personally, off that list, I think the two best options are Mike McCarthy or Joe Brady. Both have history in Louisiana - specifically the Superdome. McCarthy was the OC that helped lead the Saints to their first playoff win in team history back in 2000. He won a Super Bowl in Green Bay. And he's got the experience to navigate around some of the difficulties the Saints have with their salary cap constraints.

Joe Brady on the other hand is like a Louisiana legend due to what he helped put together at LSU. He was one of the major pieces that helped the 2019 Joe Burrow led Tigers become one of the greatest college teams in history. He's also a relatively young offensive genius that NFL fans are clamoring for. So, he might give some hope to the fan base and instill some confidence to the players on the offensive side of the ball.

Betting Odds to Be the New Orleans Saints Next Head Coach

New York Jets v Buffalo Bills
Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images
loading...

Judging by the current Vegas Odds, it's looking like the bookmakers agree with my assessment. McCarthy & Brady are the two front runners. However, they list Giants OC Mike Kafka as the 3rd leading candidate for the job. Personally, to me, I don't see that fit. I'd have Kellen Moore 3rd on my list.

Here are the current betting odds according to Bookies.com:

Mike McCarthy, Former Cowboys HC | +400 (20.0%)
Joe Brady, Bills OC | +450 (18.2%)
Mike Kafka, Giants OC | +500 (16.7%)
Kellen Moore, Eagles OC | +525 (16.0%)
Anthony Weaver, Dolphins DC | +750 (11.8%)
Kliff Kingsbury, Commanders OC | +1200 (7.7%)
Matt Nagy, Chiefs OC | +1500 (6.3%)
Darren Rizzi, Interim Saints HC | +1500 (6.3%)
The Field | +650 (13.3%)

NFL Records Held By New Orleans Saints Players

A number of current and former members of the New Orleans Saints hold NFL records.

Gallery Credit: Scott Prather

Derek Carr's Saints Career So Far

Derek Carr joined the New Orleans Saints in March of 2023. His first full season in New Orleans was filled with tough games, including a lot of hits on the quarterback. That led to Carr playing through injuries for much of his first season with the Saints.

Every New Orleans Saints Starting QB Since 2000

This list counts only regular season starts for quarterbacks of the New Orleans Saints since the year 2000. Though in that time, there have only been two quarterbacks to start playoff games for the Saints. Aaron Brooks and Drew Brees.

More From K945, The Hit Music Channel