The New Orleans Saints have a big coaching decision to make, and a big, familiar name was added to the mix this week.
Mike McCarthy and the Dallas Cowboys are parting ways and the Saints are amid their second head coaching search in three seasons. They also have significant familiarity with the veteran coach, with McCarthy serving as the Saints OC from 2000-'04, at which point current Saints front office advisor Randy Mueller was the GM.
The Cajun Cannon Bobby Hebert would see it as a good fit for what the Saints are looking for as they move forward from the Dennis Allen era.
“He brings stability, look at the success," Hebert said on SportsTalk. "He started out when he got into NFL coaching as far as Joe Montana, going way back. We all know what he did in Green Bay. He won a Super Bowl with the Packers."
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McCarthy's 18-year NFL head coaching career got started the same year as Sean Payton's when he was hired in Green Bay, a job that Payton coveted at the time. Both have had highly successful careers with more than 170 wins, a Super Bowl win and multiple trips to the NFC Championship game. McCarthy has spent the last five years in Dallas, winning 12 games and a playoff spot for three consecutive seasons before a down season in 2024.
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Of all the candidates available, McCarthy is the most clear "win now" selection.
“It doesn’t mean we’re gonna win anything, but he gives us the best chance to win maybe 10 games, go from five wins to 10 wins," Hebert said. "Now, I don’t know if we’re going to do that. It’s going to be a favorable schedule, we’re only playing three playoff teams next year.”
The Saints have yet to schedule an interview with McCarthy and already have an extensive list of candidates for the position. That group includes a trio of completed interviews for Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver, Giants OC Mike Kafka and Lions DC Aaron Glenn. In-person interviews are not allowed, per NFL rules, until later this month. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi will also interview for the full-time job.
The Saints have also requested interviews with Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury, Eagles OC Kellen Moore and Bills OC Joe Brady.