Darren Rizzi opened up his head coaching career with three consecutive home games. The New Orleans Saints go on the road for the first time under Rizzi’s leadership on Sunday.
Rizzi follows up three games in the Caesars Superdome with his own homecoming against the New York Giants. He’ll be coaching the Saints against the team he grew up cheering for.
Rizzi has never been quiet about his northeastern roots. He’s told us Younghoe Koo went to his rival high school. During a presser this week, Rizzi bragged about his own high school defeating Tommy DeVito’s high school in the New Jersey state championship.
Being raised in New Jersey makes this game different. Rizzi told reporters he has to “practice what I preach with the players. I can’t get too wrapped up in the moment.” The Saints are playing at MetLife Stadium, about 15 minutes from where Rizzi grew up. He grew up rooting for the Giants and reflected going to their playoff games.
These memories are things he’s pushing to the back of his mind until after the game. Right now he is prioritizing having “the blinders on like everybody else and just trying to coach the game.”
