The New Orleans Saints have a decision to make at head coach and a host of candidates to potentially choose from, but the Cajun Cannon Bobby Hebert has two names in mind.
Those names are Lions DC Aaron Glenna and former Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, and if it was up to Hebert, he knows his pick.
“If I look at short-term and potential long-term, and if I look at Derek Carr being the quarterback I think that coach McCarthy brings a lot more stability … for us to win or have a chance to win next season or even the next couple of seasons," Hebert said this week on WWL Radio.
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The Cajun Cannon laid out several reasons why McCarthy would be the pick, and he does take pause when looking at Glenn's resume so far as the results with Glenn leading Detroit's defense. That group finished 29th, 32nd and 19th in total defense in his first three seasons as the Lions OC, and 31st, 28th and 23rd in scoring. Glenn had that group up to No. 7 in scoring defense in this past season despite a slew of injuries, but the results certainly bear some further scrutiny.
Glenn has strong familiarity with the Saints as both a player and assistant coach before joining Dan Campbell with the Lions.
"I think Aaron Glenn is an outstanding leader of men, but I want more security as far who’s gonna be my head coach," Hebert continued.
He sees that in McCarthy, who looked to be a top candidate for the Bears vacancy until they landed on Lions OC Ben Johnson to fill that role. McCarthy has a Super Bowl victory to his credit and eight division titles as a head coach. More recently he led the Cowboys to three consecutive 12-win seasons, though his 1-3 playoff record leaves a bit to be desired.
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"I’m looking at an offensive coach vs a defensive coach. I think Mike McCarthy, wherever he ends up, because supply and demand, not enough players, not enough quarterbacks, not enough coaches, Mike McCarthy will win. I think he can win with the Saints," Hebert said. "What does it mean, will win? I don’t know, to get to double-digit wins, can we be like Tampa Bay, get to 10 wins, be 10-7, it doesn’t mean you’re winning anything, but at least you’re in the hunt. That’s what I think Mike McCarthy can bring to the table.”
The decision between Glenn and McCarthy could be made for the Saints, with Glenn interviewing with the Jets on Tuesday prior to an interview with New Orleans that was initially set for Wednesday but has been pushed back due to a snowstorm that's beset south Louisiana. Reports indicate that the Jets are hopeful they can ink Glenn to a deal prior to any further interviews, which would force the Saints to look elsewhere.
There is yet to be an official interview scheduled with McCarthy due to weather complications, but that is expected to happen soon. The Saints also have in-person interviews scheduled but delayed with Giants OC Mike Kafka and Dolphins DC Anthony Weavers. The Saints have also had virtual interviews with Bills OC Joe Brady and Eagles OC Kellen Moore, but neither can have an in-person interview until after their teams compete in their respective conference championship games. The Saints have already had an interview with interim head coach Darren Rizzi and have requested an interview with Commanders OC Kliff Kinsgbury, who has said he does not intend to pursue head coaching opportunities until Washington's season has concluded.