By Ross Jackson
NEW ORLEANS — A big day nears for head coaching searches around the league. After weeks of virtual interviews, the New Orleans Saints and other teams with head coach openings can finally begin in-person interviews with candidates on Monday, Jan. 20 after the conclusion of the postseason’s divisional round.
Only candidates from teams not currently in playoff consideration (i.e. their season has ended) can be included in this group. That does include coaches that have not been coaching in the playoffs.
The #Saints and other teams can finally begin in-person interviews with head coaching candidates still employed by other teams whose seasons have ended on Monday. Here are the head coaching interview rules:https://t.co/qCoRVATB5t
— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) January 18, 2025
Even candidates whose seasons have been over since Week 18 have not yet been eligible to interview in-person. Only candidates such as New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, ex-Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy and others that were not employed by a team have been allowed in-person contact with teams thus far.
That all changes on Monday. For the Saints, it will be the next step in a slim search so far. But with virtual interviews already in the books for Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver and New York Giants offensive coordinator and assistant head coach Mike Kafka, in-person interviews would be the next step in establishing true interest.
Candidates like Buffalo Bills offensive play caller Joe Brady and Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, both of whom have or will interview virtually this week, will depend on the results of this weekend’s games. Their teams will need to be eliminated in order for them to be able to visit with the team in-person.
The one in-person interview the Saints have been able to conduct thus far has been with interim head coach and special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi. This was allowed because Rizzi is already a Saints employee, allowing the team the opportunity to interview him at their team facility.
In-person interviews are important for teams looking for their next head coach and should be a tool for delineation between candidates who are moving forward in the process and those that are not. However, teams will often do a round of second in-person interviews with final candidates as well.
One of the most interesting candidates to watch as the process moves into its next phase will be Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. The coach put his head coach interviews on hold until the Commanders are no longer in the playoffs. Whether that exit happens this week or later, the next step in his process will allow him to do in-person interviews as soon as he becomes available. Whether or not he takes virtual interviews first and then in-person interviews later remains to be seen. He could alternatively take in-person interviews right away.
