According to the Canadian Press on Tuesday, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton of San Mateo, California announced his resignation after 15 seasons as the Saints head coach. Payton had been the Saints head coach since 2006 and posted a record of 152 wins and 89 losses for a winning percentage of .631.
Despite having a winning record of nine wins and eight losses in 2021, the Saints failed to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2016 season. With Payton at the helm of New Orleans, the Saints won seven division titles.
One could argue that Payton will forever be linked to Drew Brees, who the Sporting Base ranks as the seventh best NFL player of all-time. Brees and Payton won a Super Bowl together in 2010. The Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31-17.
There was some controversy however while Payton was the Saints head coach, however. In 2012, he was suspended a full year in what has been known as the bounty scandal. He became the first NFL head coach ever suspended a full year when it was determined that the Saints were financially rewarding players for trying to hurt opposing players. Saints defensive co-ordinator Gregg Williams of Excelsior Springs, Missouri was also suspended a full year for his involvement.
Over the last two years, Payton has tested positive for coronavirus twice. The first time came in 2020, and was the first known person associated with the NFL to get the disease. Payton believed he got it from attending the Arkansas race track. He then got coronavirus a second time in December of 2021.
