NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says he won’t stand in the way if the Saints ask Bill Parcells to take over as interim coach for suspended Sean Payton.
“That’s their decision. They need to make those decisions and we’ll move forward,” Goodell said yesterday at the opening of the NFL Shop at Draft store in Manhattan. “Bill’s a great coach, and I’m sure [he] will add a lot of personality and intrigue. And he’s as competitive as they get so I’m sure he’ll do a good job.”
Before the Saints pick someone to run the team this year, though, Goodell still has to rule on Payton’s appeal of his season-long suspension, along with the appeals of shorter suspensions to assistant coach Joe Vitt and general manager Mickey Loomis and penalties handed down to the team.
Goodell expects to hear the appeals this week, and hopes to make a ruling shortly thereafter.
“Part of it depends exactly when the appeal is going to be, and second of all what information comes up in the appeal,” said Goodell, who met with Payton twice before the appeal was filed.
Meanwhile, league officials were meeting with NFL Players’ Association representatives about penalties involving players who took part in the bounty program.
The results of the appeal could well affect whether Parcells comes out of retirement to take over as interim coach while his former offensive assistant and protege is suspended.
Parcells has said he would consider coaching the Saints if asked. Payton and Loomis played golf with the former NFL coach last week to talk to him about the team’s predicament.
Parcells, who turns 71 in August, led the Giants to two Super Bowl titles, and also coached the Patriots, Jets and Cowboys.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, interim coach, the Saints ask Bill Parcells, NFL Shop, Mickey Loomis, the Saints, NFL Players’ Association representatives, Goodell, Joe Vitt
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