If Bill Parcells was the first choice of the New Orleans Saints to fill-in for Sean Payton, they will have to move to Plan B.
According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, Parcells “is certain to remain retired” and he will not coach the Saints on an interim basis.
The Saints need to find someone to fill the role because on Monday NFL commissioner Roger Goodell affirmed the season-long suspension given to Payton for his role in the club’s bounty program. For more than two weeks there has been speculation Parcells, who is a close friend of Payton’s, would take the job.
Now, New Orleans will have to go in a different direction. The club could consider internal candidates like defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael or linebackers/assistant head coach Joe Vitt.