A sensational start to the 2024 season turned sour rather quickly for the New Orleans Saints. After starting off 2-0 and averaging 45.5 points per game, the Saints turned in seven consecutive losses en route to a 5-12 record. A gut wrenching loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 9 brought an end to the Dennis Allen era, leaving both fans and media pundits to speculate who would fill the position in 2025.
Now that the offseason is officially upon us, New Orleans has already begun to schedule interviews with potential candidates. From former players to senior personnel executives, here are three of the most compelling names currently tied to the Saints' head coaching position.
Aaron Glenn
Former Saints DB and 15 year NFL veteran, Aaron Glenn, finds himself playing the role of the belle of the ball this offseason. There are currently five NFL teams looking to fill a void at the HC position and Glenn's name likely rests atop each of their respective call sheets.
Prior to taking on his current role as defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, Glenn spent four years coaching the Saints secondary. Since then, he's played a crucial role in helping Dan Campbell overhaul the culture in Detroit. Since 2021, he's steadily improved the overall standing of the Lion's defense.
When he first accepted the position, the Lions ranked 31st in points allowed. They finished the 2024 season ranked seventh overall. The same is true for his time spent in New Orleans. Upon his arrival in 2016, the Saints defense also ranked 31st overall in points. In 2020, his final year with the team, they finished fifth overall in points allowed.
The combination of undeniable results in addition to his multi-year history with franchise has Saints fans clamoring at the idea of bringing Glenn back to New Orleans, and rightfully so. New Orleans defensive unit just finished 19th overall in points allowed and 30th overall in yards allowed. If anyone can right this sinking ship, it's him.
Mike Vrabel
Another name that's attracting a lot of attention from would be employers this offseason is none other than Mike Vrabel. His six-year tenure with the Tennessee Titans ended last offseason, now he's an increasingly sought after candidate for various franchises.
In fact, it's now been reported that the Saints are expected to meet with Vrabel as early as next week. He has two playoff wins under his belt and has posted a .545 win-loss percentage throughout his head coaching career. After having endured 2.5 seasons of the aforementioned Dennis Allen, a play caller with a winning record and playoff experience would be a breath of fresh air for New Orleans.
Vrabel also managed to deliver back-to-back divisional titles to Tennessee in 2020 and 2021, despite having Ryan Tannehill as his signal caller, further highlighting the capabilities of his leadership. However, it is recommended that Saints' fans curtail their optimism until further developments are announced, as the New England Patriots are also expected to be serious contenders in the Vrabel sweepstake.
David Shaw
NFL Network's Jane Slater broke a rather surprising story about the Saints' HC search on Monday, when she announced that the team was preparing to interview former Stanford University HC and current senior personnel executive for the Denver Broncos, David Shaw.
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) January 6, 2025
The announcement is a shocking yet encouraging one for the franchise as it shows that New Orleans is doing its due diligence and leaving no stone unturned in their search for the right hire.
Shaw's 12-year coaching career at Stanford produced a 96-54 record and eight bowl games. In addition to being the winningest head coach in Stanford history, Shaw has often crossed paths with former Saints head coach, Sean Payton on numerous occassions.
Both of them worked together as offensive assistants for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1997 and he also interview for the Broncos' head coaching position prior to them hiring Payton. Having also interviewed for the same position with the Los Angeles Chargers last year, it's clear that he has been pursuing the role for a while now.
The two-time Rose Bowl winner and four-time Pac 12 Coach of the Year was one of the best college coaches of his era. Just because he wasn't an initial candidate, doesn't mean he's not the right fit for the job. The pedigree of Shaw would bring some much needed structure to New Orleans and this announcement should excite fans as much as it surprised them.