Saints have last remaining head coach opening after Cowboys hire Schottenheimer

By Ross Jackson

It went just how they drew it up. The New Orleans Saints are now clear to hire their top head coach candidate, at least for the most part. 

Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Dallas Cowboys have promoted offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to be their next head coach. 

The hire in Dallas leaves the Saints as the lone remaining open head coach position. 

Up-to-date NFL head coach hiring cycle:

🏈Patriots: Mike Vrabel
🏈Bears: Ben Johnson
🏈Jets: Aaron Glenn
🏈Jaguars: Liam Coen
🏈Raiders: Pete Carroll
🏈Cowboys: Brian Schottenheimer
🏈Saints :

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 25, 2025

With all but one of their head coach candidates still available, things didn’t really go “just how they drew it up,” but the situation still shook out perfectly for New Orleans. 

The Saints now have a clear path to hiring among their favorite candidates that arise throughout the next week of in-person interviews. 

Now, the only competition for the Saints is the origin of each candidate. Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady could land back with the Saints as their next head coach. But he could also choose to return to the Bills. 

The Saints hold the leverage, offering a head coach position.  But an about-face is always possible. 

But barring that happening, New Orleans is in great shape to hire its top option and usher in the next era of Saints’ football. 

The Saints interview list is as follows:

• Interim head coach Darren Rizzi (Interviewed last week)
• Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver (Friday)
• New York Giants offensive coordinator/assistant head coach Mike Kafka (Saturday)
• Ex-Cowboys  head coach Mike McCarthy (Next week)
• Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady (Eligible next week)
• Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore (Eligible next week)