There are several familiar names vying for the chance to succeed Sean Payton as Saints head coach, and many of them have converged this week at the Senior Bowl.
Among them is former Saints defensive backs coach Aaron Glenn, who spoke about that opportunity as he attended the first day of practices in Mobile.
"Whenever my time comes, it comes. I think we all know that at some point in my career that’s what I want to do," Glenn said. "But I’ve said this before and I’m going to say it again, I want to be the best D-coordinator the Detroit Lions have ever had. So I look forward to that day when I become a head coach. The interviews are coming around, and man, I’m enjoying those things. They are fun. Get a chance to talk some ball, and talk about the big picture, which is a cool thing to do."
Glenn is currently the defensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions on the staff of another former Saints assistant in Dan Campbell. Also in Mobile this week, Campbell said he's nervous -- because he knows how well Glenn would fit in a return to New Orleans. After years as a player, Glenn began his NFL coaching career with the Cleveland Browns before spending 2016-'20 on Payton's staff with the Saints.
But Glenn is only one member of a group that's built quickly following the news of Payton's retirement. The Saints have reportedly interviewed Brian Flores, who filed a lawsuit this week alleging racial discrimination in hiring practices. Glenn, who is black, did not speak to that lawsuit as of Tuesday, but would represent the Saints' first-ever minority head coach should he land the job. The same would be true with fellow reported candidate Byron Leftwich, currently the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Bucs. The team has not yet issued a statement on the Flores lawsuit.
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With the firings of Flores from the Dolphins and first-year head coach David Culley from the Texans, the lone current black head coach in the NFL is the Steelers' Mike Tomlin, who is also in Mobile this week.
The betting favorite for the job would be current defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, with the team also interviewing special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi and former Eagles coach Doug Pederson.
“To me, just getting a chance to be able to express myself on how to be a head coach is more important than anything, regardless of who the organization is," Glenn said. "Just for those guys to pick me out as a guy they think can run an organization, that’s an enjoyment in itself. So I to try to prepare myself as best I can. I’m gonna put my best foot forward. If I win the job I win the job. If I don’t, I’ll get ready for the next opportunity.”
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