METAIRIE, Louisiana — The general manager of the Saints, Mickey Loomis, has expressed unwavering confidence in his capacity to select the right head coach to end New Orleans’ prolonged playoff absence spanning four years. He firmly stated that he has no intentions of resigning from his position during a press conference held on Monday at the team’s headquarters.
“You can’t overlook the outcomes. However, it’s essential to look deeper than the surface and understand the factors contributing to those results,” Loomis commented. He emphasized that while some challenges are within their control, others are not. The Saints’ disappointing performance this season—leading to a 5-12 record, their lowest since a 3-13 finish in 2005—was significantly impacted by injuries to key players like quarterback Derek Carr, tight end Taysom Hill, wide receiver Chris Olave, running back Alvin Kamara, center Erik McCoy, and cornerback Paulson Adebo.
Loomis acknowledged the impact of injuries on their performance, stating, “I know this is not something fans want to hear, but injuries were a major factor this season and greatly hindered our ability to secure victories.”
While Loomis refrained from naming specific coaching prospects, he did mention one individual likely to be in the mix: Mike McCarthy, who has parted ways with the Dallas Cowboys. McCarthy previously served as the Saints’ offensive coordinator during Loomis’ early tenure. Additionally, the Saints have conducted preliminary virtual interviews with various candidates, including Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, and Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
Interim coach Darren Rizzi, who took charge after Dennis Allen was fired, is also expected to be considered for a permanent position after he recorded a 3-5 record in his stint. Others anticipated to be interviewed include Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, and Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.
Loomis commented on Rizzi’s performance under difficult circumstances, noting that the team was 3-1 with Carr on the field and 0-4 when the quarterback was unable to play due to a broken left hand. Furthermore, both Kamara and McCoy missed multiple games due to injuries, adding to the team’s struggles.
Reflecting on the transition from the legacies of former coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees—who led the Saints to their sole Super Bowl victory in 2009—Loomis acknowledged that critics had anticipated difficulties following their departures. After retiring post-2020 season, Brees has seen Payton return to coaching in 2023 with the Denver Broncos, who made the playoffs this year for the first time since 2015.
The Saints now find themselves in search of a new head coach, only three years after appointing Payton’s successor. Nonetheless, Loomis confirmed his position as general manager is secure, declaring, “My passion for this sport and for the Saints remains strong. I feel I am fully capable of fulfilling my duties.”
Loomis stated that the future head coach wouldn’t necessarily need to have a history with the Saints, though he noted that a connection to the team could be beneficial, citing the successful coaching careers of Payton and former assistant Dan Campbell in their current roles.
When discussing the team’s roster and its future, Loomis revealed he has yet to assess each player’s performance comprehensively. However, he ensured that the new coach would have input regarding the roster, including decisions concerning the quarterback position. He shared positive sentiments about Derek Carr, who managed a 5-5 record this season, despite facing significant challenges without his top receivers and amid a precarious line situation. Loomis remarked, “I have a high level of confidence in Derek, and despite difficult circumstances, I believe he has performed admirably.”
