Sean Payton opens up about why he left the Saints (merged)

Pretty much the same thing he said when he gave his final presser here. He knew that he was going to coach again somewhere. But he also knew that he couldn't just ask for a year or two off and then come back to reclaim his job here. If he couldn't muster up the energy & excitement to coach here, then it's best that he is gone and starting over with a new team. It's all about desire. Whether player or coach, if the desire isn't there, it's time to move on.
If I remember it was reported that he was offered a yr off and said no