Two of the New Orleans Saints’ three coordinators have taken a shot at the team’s open head coaching job, but offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. won’t be one of them. NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill first reported that Carmichael was invited to interview for the position, but opted to remain in his current role; ESPN’s Mike Triplett confirmed that Carmichael chose to pass on the opportunity.
Carmichael, 50, has spent nearly his entire NFL coaching career in New Orleans as Sean Payton’s right-hand man. Initially named quarterbacks coach in 2006, he was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2009 and has held onto the job ever since. He’s interviewed for head coach vacancies with a couple of other teams over the years (most recently the Green Bay Packers in 2019), but for the most part he’s been comfortable with the title he has now. He must be familiar with the Peter Principle.
As for the Saints’ search: it’s down to a handful of candidates, including New Orleans defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi. Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores impressed the team in their meetings for the job, while ex-Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson was hired by the Jacksonville Jaguars after first interviewing with New Orleans.
But the most intriguing name on the list might be Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, who is scheduled to meet with Saints brass on Sunday in New Orleans per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He’s a Super Bowl-winning play caller who helped draft and develop Patrick Mahomes out of Texas Tech. Nearly every team with a head coach opening has interviewed him in recent years, but he’s kept getting passed over. Maybe the Saints are the right match for him. They’ll have a tough decision to make after hosting Bieniemy for their sixth and final interview.
