Rizzi should be the permanent Head Coach (52 Viewers)

[saintfan-n-alexla]

Loomis stated in an interview that ST coaches aren’t often considered and that he believes that’s wrong

Having a good OC and bringing in a fresh DC having a “CEO” running the team has a reasonable vibe around it

1 problem with promoting within you don’t bring a true new message to the players

Over the next year ( most likely 2) this roster will be very different- change the coach or change the players - wrong coach wrong players?

If he didn’t succeed we would look like a joke of a team by not looking out of house - but let’s face it any bad choice will be second guessed

In 05 SP was not only basically an unknown ge was best known for having play calling removed and his team then having success

 

[3ParStillDriver]

I do think Rizzi may have what it takes to be a decent or even good head coach in the NFL, but we'll have to wait and see. Even if thats true though, its typically not ideal to have a head coach is anything less than an offensive minded/QB guru unless you have a stable, good franchise QB.

Defensive minded coaches and special team coaches historically struggle to develop franchise QB's despite a few who have gold in the past like Bellichek (Brady).

 

[Lustmord]

I want to see how next 8 weeks go- mainly how KK does with the offense without DA

Rizzi does have Dan Campbell vibes

 

[HouseCall]

I’ll just be happy to have a coach that isn’t calling offense or defense and instead being equally involved in all aspects of the game.

I’m curious to see how that goes since it’s been ages since we’ve had that.

 

[Snakehead]

Rizzi interviewed for the job before DA got the job.

He's not just a ST Coordinator. He's been the Assistant HC since 2022 and was an Associate HC in Miami for 2 years before coming here.

He's been a Defensive Coordinator in college, a defensive line coach and a LB coach.

He's been a HC in college on 2 different occasions.

Rizzi is not just a ST guy, he's a football coach. He brings the energy. This is why the players love the guy.

 

[Snakehead]

I do think Rizzi may have what it takes to be a decent or even good head coach in the NFL, but we'll have to wait and see. Even if thats true though, its typically not ideal to have a head coach is anything less than an offensive minded/QB guru unless you have a stable, good franchise QB.

Defensive minded coaches and special team coaches historically struggle to develop franchise QB's despite a few who have gold in the past like Bellichek (Brady).

John Harbaugh seems to be doing pretty good and he's had a few QBs during his tenure in Baltimore.

 

[Treybad]

Not sure I want anyone from the Payton/DA/Loomis clan coaching this team through a rebuild

 

[Bill]

Usually these assistant coaches who have been around the block a few times tend to build some reputation and friendships with other coaches they have met & worked with along the way. They also begin to develop a philosophy about what makes for a successful team. But few (if any) of these interim guys get to fully implement the vision they want for the team unless they eventually get the head coaching job without the 'interim' label.

Rizzi is where he is today because he has applied what he learned and has preached to his players what he believes will work. If, over the time he was worked in this organization, Rizzi really has seen areas of this team and staff that requires the kind of changes to fit his philosophy, then he will attempt to make these changes where possible. But I don't see the organization giving him the keys to a complete resetting of staff and players. Only proven (or VERY promising) head coaches get to have such carte blanche as part of their agreement to take over the reins of all 'team related' responsibilities and activities.

The best Rizzi can do is to try and get the personnel that is already on-board to buy into his way of running the show. If an assistant coach (or even a player) willingly balks at the changes he wants to make, then he will likely have to take up the issue with the front office. But it is highly unlikely that any major changes will take place for the remainder of this season. So I really don't believe that we will see a true vision of what it would be like to have Rizzi as our new head coach unless the front office gives him that opportunity for a few seasons.

The best that Rizzi can do in the next two months is to raise enough eyebrows (both inside & outside the organization) to make himself a legitimate candidate to be the next official head coach of the Saints. But the chips are definitely stacked against him. That is unless the plan is to keep him on for as long as it takes to get the dead salary cap money back in order. However, it would be hard for the Saints to pull off such a plan without making it obvious that he is just a lame duck coach who is keeping the seat warm for the eventual successor.

Winning football games is the key for Rizzi. Nothing would speak louder about his leadership and coaching prowess than turning this shell of a team into a disciplined and well-oiled machine that can actually produce victories on the field. While the task is daunting, he does have a few things in his favor.

One is that the players still want their jobs and they will (likely) appreciate the new direction of the team. There is new motivation for everyone to go to work in the morning. Two... the opponents have to plan for an unknown philosophy and a coach that is basically playing with house money. While 'football is still football', there is something to be said about going up against a team that has nothing to lose except a better draft position. And three... no one is expecting him to be the savior of the season or the team. Everyone knows that the Saints will not 'shock the world' and get a ticket to the postseason. In fact, some are even openly hoping for a 'draft elevating' crash & burn for the 2024 season. The only pressure he will have is whatever he puts on himself to right the ship.

It's very possible that by this time next year few Saints fans will even remember coach Rizzi's name. But if he IS able to work miracles with what's left of this transition season, it would be a crime if he didn't at least be given some consideration to permanently take over the job of making the Saints a team that we can all be proud of once again. The next eight games should be interesting to say the least.

 

[rlemieux]

Slow down. Dudes had one press conference.

 

[Optimistic Ozzy]

What a great two days !!!!

 

[Grumpy Old Manatee]

Would he even want the job?

2025 is likely to be very lean as far as talent and 2026 may be as well.

Not trying to be overly grumpy, but this will be a challenging rebuild. Wish we could hear more about a mid-term/long-term plan, but I get that’s not how this organization works.

 

[ShadowMan]

His voice alone commands attention. ( not the winey voice like Allen)

 

[St. Geezy]

I would have been for this at some point in the past, but I am ready for a clean slate.

 

[la. champ1]

Not sure I want anyone from the Payton/DA/Loomis clan coaching this team through a rebuild

Rizzi has had one year maybe two head coaching experience at division 2 college. Assistant HC is not he same as HC. It’s different when it’s your baby and you responsible for everything in that building and dealing with that team. I like Rizzi but go find the most qualified candidate for the job. Unfortunately it’s not him. A total regime change is needed.

 

[St.Dan]

Who’s a young and hungry assistant, as Payton once was? That’s what the rubric should be here.

The thought hadn’t been posed yet, I don’t think, but isn’t KK also auditioning to stay during these next eight games? Should the team go after an offense-minded coach and let KK walk somewhere else? The roster as currently constructed will be quite challenging to win very many more games. Folk talk about tanking for Cam Ward…this team as presently constructed will have a tough time winning even with a rah-rah spirit.