The New Orleans Saints and Pelicans have combined to start out their seasons 4-17, building an air of frustration around a pair of teams that just can't seem to course-correct.
The results, as would be expected in most markets, have led to fan calls for firings, primarily as it pertains to Saints GM Mickey Loomis and Pelicans head coach Willie Green. Addressing those concerns in a wide-ranging interview with The Times Picayune this week, team owner Gayle Benson stood behind both as they weather difficult times.
“It may not be what the fans want to hear, but as far as firing Mickey Loomis, that’s ridiculous," Benson told NOLA.com. "(He) does a great job. Mickey's been one of the top NFL general managers. He's a great guy. He's got a bunch of rookies. He's got a new coach who just was in the Super Bowl. I mean, what else can I do?"
The Saints are in a slightly different situation as the Pelicans, with the NFL side of the operation choosing to fire head coach Dennis Allen last season, with Kellen Moore taking over. Vibes and enthusiasm seem to have shifted under the new leadership but the record hasn't reflected it. The team did enter the bye week on a high note, though, with rookie Tyler Shough enjoying a breakout performance in a win over the Panthers.
The Pelicans have effectively done the opposite, opting to part ways with Executive Vice President David Griffin and replacing him with NBA Hall of Famer Joe Dumars. The Louisiana native oversaw a few changes in the front office, but largely stuck with the operation as it was. That included retaining head coach Willie Green. There has been loud and frequent criticism of Green amid last year's disastrous 21-61 campaign that was largely undone by injuries. The team went all-in on this year's draft with PG Jeremiah Fears and center Derik Queen, and those returns look promising early on despite the record.
But as it pertains to Green's job status, that decision is entirely on Dumars, Benson said.
“I really like Willie Green, but I hired Joe Dumars to assess our basketball operation. And that’s what he is doing," Benson told the newspaper. "He is assessing Willie and all the players. He and I spent the entire halftime (of the Portland Trail Blazers game on Wednesday night) talking. When he makes a decision, that's up to him. That's why I hired him. I trust Joe, because I feel like he knows people. He's known Willie since he was a child, so they know each other. And if he can fix that problem, then he'll fix it. If he can't, then that'll be his decision, not mine. I've left that in his hands.”
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As far as Loomis, Benson pointed to recent successes in the trade market and draft, as well as his role in assembling the group that won a Super Bowl in 2009, and one that led the NFL in wins from 2017-2020, each of those teams coached by Sean Payton and quarterbacked by Drew Brees. Gayle Benson has been the team's sole owner since Tom Benson passed away in 2018.
Since the retirement of Drew Brees in 2020 the Saints have missed the playoffs all five years with a combined record of 32-46.
"When I am asked to hold Mickey Loomis accountable, I do," Benson continued. "Not every decision works out, they never do; that is why I am sharing with you the body of work that Mickey has contributed to making our team so successful over the years. I hold him in high esteem, and I am very pleased with what he has accomplished, acquired and is building."
The Saints have the week off before hosting the Atlanta Falcons in Week 12 at the Caesars Superdome. The Pelicans are back in action on Friday when they host the L.A. Lakers at the Smoothie King Center.
For The Times Piayune's full, wide-ranging interview with Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson, click here.