Saints coach contacts Parcells about filling in: report

NEW ORLEANS -- Suspended New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton has approached NFL coaching legend Bill Parcells about taking over the team on an interim basis, ESPN reported Monday.

Payton, who was hit with a one-year ban following the league’s investigation into illegal bounties, reportedly reached out to his former boss and mentor, seeking advice on how to configure his staff for the 2012 season.

Parcells, who turns 71 in August, is expected to meet with Payton this week in Florida, where the league’s owners, coaches and front office personnel have gathered for the annual NFL meetings, according to FOXSports.com.

New Orleans is faced with the challenge of organizing its coaching staff after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell handed down a slew of penalties on Wednesday for the team’s pay-for-performance scheme, whereby defensive players received cash bonuses for injuring opponents.

Besides Payton’s one-year ban, the league suspended Saints assistant head coach Joe Vitt for six games, and general manager Mickey Loomis received an eight-game ban.

Payton is reportedly contemplating an appeal of his suspension, which is set to begin April 1.

Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. was seen as the likely candidate to fill in for Payton during the upcoming season, but the team could decide to seek outside help which would allow Carmichael to maintain his focus on the Saints’ potent offense.

It was unclear Monday whether Saints owner Tom Benson, who ultimately has final say on who runs the team, had spoken to Parcells or any other candidate.

Parcells won two Super Bowls as head coach of the Giants from 1983 to 1990. After stints with the Patriots and Jets, Parcells moved on to coach the Cowboys, where Payton served as his assistant from 2003 to 2005.

Parcells last coached in 2006 in Dallas. He served as the Dolphins executive vice president of football operations from 2008 to 2010.

Parcells, who works as an NFL analyst for ESPN, did not return phone calls Monday afternoon, according to the network.

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