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The New Orleans Saints can't stop to ponder why Sean Payton decided to retire leaving the Head-coach spot open on the team. Their job as an organization is to find the next coach as soon as possible and it appears the position might be filled by their defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.
In a recent interview, Saints' general manager Mickey Loomis said "First of all he's a great coach," when asked what he liked about Allen. "He's been a part of our building for a long time. He's been a part of the culture and the success we've had over the years and has the experience as a head coach as well."
Loomis also said that he almost concluded interviews after speaking to Allen late last Friday, but it's not a done deal yet as more interviews will be held.
Allen is currently considered the favorite to become the Saints' new head coach, he also had an interview scheduled for the Bears' coaching job this week, but Chicago decided to postpone the meeting.
Allen already had the opportunity to be a head coach in the NFL, serving in that role from 2012 to 2014 with the then Oakland Raiders, however, he had a bad start by posting a poor 8-28 record with the team.
Who else has been interviewed?
Aaron Glenn, from the Lions has also been interviewed. Considered the second favorite for the job, Glenn has never coached in the league, and his highest-ranking job is the one he currently holds: defensive coordinator for the Lions only since January 2021. He also previously served as defensive backs coach. Saints (2016-2020) and assistant defensive backs coach for the Browns (2014-2015).
Loomis mentioned that they also interviewed former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores, the same day he filled a lawsuit against the NFL, the New York Giants, the Denver Broncos, and the Dolphins for discriminatory practices.
"He was very impressive," Loomis said about Flores. "We had a great interview. It went well." Flores informed Loomis about the lawsuit after the interview had ended.
Former Philadelphia coach Doug Pederson, who later took the Jacksonville Jaguars head coaching job is also one of the coaches in the race for the position.