By Ross Jackson
From the moment that the Dallas Cowboys and former coach Mike McCarthy parted ways, the expectation became that he would be a prime candidate for the New Orleans Saints’ head coaching search.
After mostly silence on that front since McCarthy became available, the two are finally working toward a meeting, per reports.
Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reported on Monday afternoon that the Saints and McCarthy are in process of “setting up” an in-person interview for the team’s open head coaching position.
The report was also confirmed by ESPN reporters Katherine Terrell, Kalyn Kahler, and Courtney Cronin.
Many have been curious about this connection as no interview had been set yet. Meanwhile, McCarthy and the Chicago Bears have been firmly connected in their search. He is considered one of the top candidates in Chicago.
This is the best timing option for New Orleans. Once McCarthy and the Cowboys parted ways, the Saints could have brought him in for an in-person interview. However, at that time, none of their other candidates, aside from internal option and interim head coach Darren Rizzi, were eligible to conduct interviews in person. That option did not begin to become available for the majority of candidates until Monday.
That means New Orleans would have had to have brought in McCarthy earlier than anyone else, placing him, even if involuntarily, above the rest of the options in perception. The Saints are typically very cognizant of those kind of optics.
Instead, the Saints wisely waited until in-person interviews were available for all eligible candidates and are now looking to set up a conversation with McCarthy, who should quickly become another top option, alongside Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
McCarthy served as the Saints’ offensive coordinator from 2000 to 2004. He has previously been a head coach with the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers, winning a Super Bowl in 2010 with the Packers. He holds a career coaching record of 174-112-2.
New Orleans is also expected to hold in-person interviews with New York Giants offensive coordinator and assistant head coach Mike Kafka on Tuesday and Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver and Glenn on Wednesday. Though winter storms could force some changes to the schedule.
(posted Monday, Jan. 20 at 2:14 pm)
