By Ross Jackson
NEW ORLEANS — Interim head coaching roles are always complicated.
Generally, the promotion follows a tumultuous end to a previous coach’s job. New Orleans Saints Interim Head Coach Darrin Rizzi is no exception.
“Today is not a day for celebration,” Rizzi said during his first media availability.
But the other side of the conflict does bring some positives. It’s a potential one-in-a-lifetime shot for the coach that is plucked from the ranks to take on the position. Rizzi deserved the opportunity and was awarded it.
Now he embarks on an eight-game audition to bolster his chances at earning the full-time gig going into 2025. It won’t be easy. The Saints would benefit from fresh faces, ideas and perspectives leading them into their new era. They will have a lengthy and thorough search process, therefore Rizzi will have a lot of competition.
Despite the opportunity, the coach’s focus isn’t quite there yet. At least not singularly. He has made staff changes, rearranged the locker room and even shifted the rhythm of practices including adding an “activation period” in an attempt to curve the abnormal rash of injuries the team has had to navigate for multiple seasons. Plus, he has a game plan to help construct for the Atlanta Falcons.
It was no wonder the New Jersey native said the last two days “seem like two weeks.”
But even if his sole focus isn’t yet on earning a future role as the Saints head coach, every moment is a part of his interview from here on out. And that process is important not just for him but for the organization. If the Saints do not promote their former special teams coordinator to the full-time role, history shows that they stand to lose him from the coaching staff entirely.
Over the last 10 NFL seasons (2014-2023), no interim head coach has returned to the team if not promoted to the full-time head coaching role.
In that span, only three of those 23 coaches have been hired to take the reins after their interim season.
Mike Mularkey remained with the Tennessee Titans for two seasons after taking over midway through the 2015 season. The Jacksonville Jaguars stuck with Doug Marone after relieving Urban Meyer of his role in 2016. Marone held the full-time position through 2020. Most recently, the Las Vegas Raiders hired interim Antonio Pierce as their head coach this year. Pierce took over midseason in 2023.
In every other instance since 2014, the interim either has not coached again or departed the team entirely.
That would be a massive loss for New Orleans. Rizzi is one of the top special teams coaches in the league, and losing him would come at a price. However, the Saints must be honest if he is not a fit for the long-term position.
The incoming head coach would have a preference on the staff, so perhaps that brings in another solid option to lead the special teams phase. But with the emphasis the Saints have continuously put in that area of the game, replacing one of its top minds is a tall order.
Rizzi could earn the full-time role with an impressive end to the 2024 season and by knocking the offseason hiring process out of the park. But if he ultimately is not selected, the history books show a bleak outlook for the chances of keeping him in New Orleans.
