"Jumping the gun," at least in this instance, does not mean that he does not have facts. Again, Nick has stated that he almost wrote an article about the fact that no one knows what Sean is doing. And he was not the only local reporter who debated on whether or not to address it. Heck, there was one instance in which I almost stated something similarly a week or so ago. Ian does not sit on anything because his job is to break big stories. Nick has a long-term view of things and shows more restraint as do some of the other reporters. Plus, they understand how New Orleans Saints fans will feel such a story in a away that someone like Ian does not care about or has to care about as the love/loyalties do not exist.
The strange thing is, I am not even a big fan of Ian. I do not dislike the guy but I do not consider him a friend or anything. But in this case, he is not making this story up. Maybe when you cry wolf, people always think that is always the case (although in many instances, it is more of that tendency to run with information that gets him and others in situations where the story is either misleading or wrong). But truth be told, there are people who have wondered about what Sean is doing and it is not just those in the media who speculate each year about what he is doing. Sean was exhausted last season. I find it remarkable how much he was able to get the team to focus through every challenge and setback, especially in the final weeks. I even wondered if he would mail it in but the sense was they felt like they could stay make a run in the playoffs if they could get in. He never stopped coaching, but after a long season there was almost a relief--not of being happy the season had ended but just that change to recharge. There is a normal course of action that occurs at the end of each season. This year, Sean diverted from the normal routine. Sean decided to go on vacation to "get away." Those things didn't necessarily raise eyebrows but just how silent he has been. And I know "silent" here feels a bit ambiguous, which is why I likened it in another thread to two years ago when no one knew what Drew would do because he just took time away to reflect. In fact, many assumed he would retire. Ultimately, he came back. It is very likely that Sean comes back. To be sure, the national media loves this story because it elicits a certain kind of attention. And some will speculate -- they will go beyond the reality is people not knowing what Sean will do -- to suggest that he wants to coach elsewhere or this or that. The broadcast interest in him is real but this is not the first year that interest has been there. He is not coaching another team this year other than the Saints. He is or was just a man tired and, really and truly, you have to think about the last three or four seasons of heartbreak and then with the craziness of this season. I wish Ian had not chosen to write about it (if only for the speculation it causes) but I can also say Sean is smart and, to some degree, doesn't mind having his name constantly swirl. There are indications that he will be back, that things should pick up with meetings and certain off-season preparations, and this will be forgotten as attention turns toward getting this team ready for next season.