Doug Pederson would be an intriguing head coach for NOLA Saints
The NOLA Saints reportedly interviewed Doug Pederson on Sunday, according to Ian Rapoport. Pederson could be a nice fit for the black and gold.
After Sean Payton shocked the world by stepping down as the head coach of the New Orleans Saints, the organization finds itself in a position they haven’t been in since the 2006 offseason — Searching for their next head coach.
While defensive coordinator Dennis Allen appears to be the favorite to land the job, it’s good to see the Saints conducting an actual search. The latest name they interviewed is former Eagles head coach Doug Pederson.
Pederson played quarterback in the NFL from 1993 to 2004, albeit as a backup. He worked with Andy Reid in Philadelphia beginning in 2009 and followed Reid to Kansas City when he was hired as the Chiefs’ head coach.
Pederson’s three seasons as KC’s offensive coordinator landed him the head coach job in Philadelphia, where he stayed for five seasons. The Eagles won a Super Bowl in Pederson’s second year and it was a shock when he was fired following the 2020 season.
Former #Eagles coach Doug Pederson interviewed with the #Saints yesterday, source said. That’s one more. https://t.co/CmnqmGTJcf
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 31, 2022
NOLA Saints interviewed Doug Pederson
Pederson didn’t coach in the NFL this past season and it’s been surprising that he hasn’t gotten much attention on the head coaching market so far. The Saints are one of two teams that have interviewed the former Eagles head coach with the Jaguars’ open position being the other one. It reportedly did not go well.
If the Saints were to hire Pederson, he’d be the right guy to get their offense in gear. He had MVP-level Carson Wentz when he headed to Philadelphia so he’d be a good coach to help find the right quarterback for the team. This is one of the biggest needs for New Orleans and Pederson has shown what he can do with a solid quarterback at his disposal (Philly Special, anyone?)
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More than likely, Allen is going to get the job in the Big Easy, but I wouldn’t be upset if Pederson shocked the world and ended up being the next head coach of the Saints. He got the Eagles to the Super Bowl in just two years and they won the whole shebang. Who’s to say he couldn’t do it again?