[onlooker]

Another coaching job looking like its filled. They are starting to fall in place now.

Im interested to see who the Lions land.

NEW ORLEANS -- The New Orleans Saints will hire Dallas Cowboys assistant Sean Payton to his first NFL head coaching job, sources close the Saints and Cowboys told ESPN's John Clayton.

A Saints' official speaking on condition of anonymity told The Associated Press the formal announcement wasn't expected until Wednesday.

Payton has been a quarterbacks coach for three seasons under Bill Parcells in Dallas. He also held the title of assistant head coach. Before that, he was a New York Giants assistant, a stint that included that team's NFC Championship in 2000.

Payton was one of five candidates interviewed by the Saints at the team's headquarters last week. The others were Jets defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson, Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon, former Green Bay head coach Mike Sherman and former St. Louis Rams coach Mike Martz.

Payton will succeed Jim Haslett, whose tenure lasted six years. The Saints were 3-13 in 2005, a season in which all of their "home" games were played on the road because of Hurricane Katrina. The Saints were a .500 team during Haslett's first five seasons combined.

Payton has said the Saints' poor showing in 2005 did not deter him from seeking the job.

"It's hard to look at their talent now compared to their record with all of the circumstances and things that they've gone through," Payton said last week. "It's a team that's certainly shown that they can be competitive and I would look forward to that challenge."

Payton's background as a quarterbacks coach -- he also had a very brief pro playing career at that position in the CFL and as a Chicago Bears replacement player in the 1987 strike season -- could serve him well in New Orleans, which is expected to draft a quarterback with the second overall pick in the NFL draft.

Aaron Brooks, the Saints' starter for most of the past six seasons, had his worst season in 2005 and was benched for the final three games. If the Saints keep Brooks they would owe him about $6.5 million in salary next season.

When Payton interviewed for the job, he declined to comment on whether he thought Brooks should stay or go, but he did say that the Saints asked him about developing a quarterback.

"We talked about that," Payton said. "I enjoy coaching that position. I enjoy being involved in the offense. I would certainly look forward to being involved with that development."

Payton could not be reached at the Dallas Cowboys' headquarters on Tuesday evening.

This is the first coach hired by current general manager Mickey Loomis, who was promoted after team owner Tom Benson fired Randy Mueller in 2002. Mueller, now the Miami Dolphins' GM, hired Haslett.

Payton is the second straight coach hired by the Saints with no head coaching experience. It worked well early last time as Haslett took the Saints to the franchise's first playoff victory in his first season. But New Orleans has missed the playoffs in the five seasons since.

[bigboydan]

i think Sean Payton was a good hiring by the saints IMO

it's just really good to see that there are not a ton of retread ex-head coaches getting all those jobs this year.


as far as the lions coaching job, who knows what matt millen is thinking right about now, hell he don't even know LOL

[slacker00]

The youth movement in NFL head coaching should be interesting. I think Mangini was a good hire, grabbing another ember from the Bellichick campfire. I think Sean Payton was a reach. I'm not sure that Payton has shown a whole lot. He called the plays in Dallas this year, but that Dallas offense just made me sick. I know you guys are piling on Bledsoe, but Payton had a role there too. I wish Payton all of the luck in the world, but I also think he'll need exactly that.

[bigboydan]

slacker, the youth movement in NFL head coaching was needed extremely badly. I think we will see this type of stuff happen more and more over the next few years.

this seems to be the new trend in alot of sports, so why not have the NFL step in the 21st century and follow suit.

[slacker00]

slacker, the youth movement in NFL head coaching was needed extremely badly. I think we will see this type of stuff happen more and more over the next few years.

this seems to be the new trend in alot of sports, so why not have the NFL step in the 21st century and follow suit.

Well, the geezers seem to be getting it done. Look at what Gibbs has done in Washington. I mean, that franchise was in the dumpster two years ago. That guy can walk on water. The coaches still in the playoffs are some of the saltiest the NFL has to offer. Something has to be said for experience at the head coaching position.

[bigboydan]

your right to a degree slacker00

but, i'm not talking about the proven coachs like gibbs. i was talking about the norv turners of the coaching caracell.