Who is going to be coaching the New Orleans Saints in 2025? That's a question we can't yet answer, but that doesn't mean we don't know who could be an option. While venerable Super Bowl winners like Bill Belichick and Pete Carroll are expected to look for work, the Saints haven't shown much interest in candidates like them before, and you have to wonder how eager they would be to hand off much power to general manager Mickey Loomis. A coach like Jon Gruden comes with too much baggage even if he's been around the team before.
So we're taking stock of the coaches who are either less-accomplished or more-ambitious than those guys. Someone needs to replace Dennis Allen. They just might be on this list:
Darren Rizzi, New Orleans Saints interim head coach
It's often said you shouldn't hire the interim, but Rizzi has done his best to help his case. Winning back-to-back games and making aggressive calls against the Rams is what he needs to do to. He went for it on fourth down in some gutsy instances, dialed up a fake punt, and had every intention of going for two points to win the game had the offense scored a last-minute touchdown. But losing this game keeps him from being the odds-on favorite, for now.
Aaron Glenn, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator
Hiring Glenn would be a lot like hiring Dennis Allen again, in that he's a former defensive backs coach who the organization knows and trusts -- someone who general manager Mickey Loomis would say "Knows the culture" in the building. If we're guessing today, Glenn would be their preference given his history (and that he's interviewed for the job before). But Glenn has earned leaguewide recognition by overcoming the loss of Aidan Hutchinson to field a top-10 unit in both yards and points allowed, also ranking third-best with 14 interceptions.
Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator
Every team with an opening or change expected at head coach wants Johnson. His offense ranks third-best in yards per play, with a comfortable lead on the most points scored per game (31.9). The question is whether he'll be as picky as he was in the last hiring cycle. If the Saints aren't willing to break the bank for an unproven head coach, Johnson may end up elsewhere, or he could stay in Detroit another year if teams continue to balk at his contract demands.
Bobby Slowik, Houston Texans offensive coordinator
Slowik has earned a lot of credit preparing C.J. Stroud for the NFL, and like Klint Kubiak he hails from the Kyle Shanahan coaching tree. He's been an effective play caller for Houston and has presumably learned a lot from head coach DeMeco Ryans. If the Saints want a youthful presence (much like Sean Payton was when he first arrived) who's experienced some success under other accomplished coaches, he could be the guy. You just have to figure other teams with young quarterbacks like the Chicago Bears are more appealing.
Joe Brady, Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator
Brady has come a long way from forgetting to practice two-minute drills each week with the Carolina Panthers. The one-time Saints assistant and LSU Tigers national champion has done a great job with Josh Allen and his strong supporting cast, but it's fair to wonder how much help such a talented young quarterback really needs. At any rate, teams aren't going to ignore Brady for long, and it's possible New Orleans could roll the dice on a familiar face.
Mike Vrabel, Cleveland Browns personnel consultant
Vrabel was a conspicuous presence at the Caesars Superdome a few weeks ago on the Browns sideline, but it's unclear whether the Saints are a team on his radar. He should be a hot candidate after posting just two losing seasons in six years as the Tennessee Titans' head coach, especially if his Ohio State alma mater moves on from embattled coach Ryan Day. But if the Saints want a real culture-builder from a defensive background, he's a better pick than Dennis Allen was.
Brian Daboll, New York Giants head coach
The expectation seems to be for Daboll to be let go after this season, but that hasn't happened yet. So why look at a 17-28-1 coach who isn't even available? The Saints wanted to interview Daboll before he was hired by the Giants back in 2022, but Sean Payton waiting too long to (temporarily, of course) retire kept them off his dance card. If the Saints want an experienced candidate, a retread like Daboll could be the pick should he be sacked.
Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss head coach
What about another ex-Raiders head coach? Kiffin has never stayed in one place for long, and he may have plateaued if Ole Miss doesn't qualify for the College Football Playoff. Maybe he's up for a return to the NFL after all these years. He's known the Carr family for a long time, having backed up Derek's older brother David at Fresno State, so maybe that relationship helps. Or maybe it doesn't. Kiffin is a big personality and his 5-15 NFL record speaks for itself. You also have to wonder if the Saints would be willing to pay what it would take to get him out of the SEC, and whether that would be worth it.
