saint5221

Apparently Haz was asked this question on the Gerry V. radio show yesterday and he ducked it saying, "I don't want to comment on that right now." here is the article from the Buffalo news that started the question.


http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial...0/11055627.asp


Out clause could put Haslett on Bills' radar
By MARK GAUGHAN

11/30/2003
ÂÂÂÂ*ÂÂÂÂ*
It's way too early to call him a candidate, but an unusual set of circumstances could put New Orleans Saints coach Jim Haslett in position to consider becoming head coach of the Buffalo Bills after this season.

The former Bills linebacking great is in his fourth year as head coach of the Saints and is under contract through the 2006 season. Haslett makes about $3 million a year, and there's virtually no way Saints owner Tom Benson would buy out the final three years of the contract, even if the Saints collapse down the stretch. New Orleans stands 5-6 entering today's game at Washington.

So how might Haslett become available? Sources in New Orleans report that when Haslett signed his contract extension in August 2002, he put an "out" clause in the deal that allows him to leave for just one other head coaching job in the NFL. The job is believed to be head coach of the Bills.

Haslett is very close friends with Bills President and General Manager Tom Donahoe, dating to their time spent together with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Haslett's wife, Beth, is a Western New York native.

Those connections sound compelling, but they don't necessarily point to a shuffle off to Buffalo. While speculation already is well under way on who should replace Gregg Williams in Buffalo, it would be a big surprise in New Orleans if Haslett left the Saints.

Haslett basically has control of personnel decisions in the Saints organization. Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis is a salary cap expert and does not stand in Haslett's way on player moves. Haslett obviously would not have full control of player moves with the Bills. Haslett's family also is happy in the Big Easy. The Saints also have a decent group of young players - Deuce McAllister and Aaron Brooks among them - and could be poised for a strong playoff run next year. Coaches almost never voluntarily leave a spot where they have as much control as "Haz" has in New Orleans.

Nevertheless, the Saints' finish this month bears watching. After today's game with the 'Skins, they play Tampa, the Giants, Jacksonville and Dallas.


[Edited on 12/4/2003 by saint5221]

saintz08

Benson needs to protect the franchise from extended contractual talks and delays from Buffalo if the clause exists .

I could just see it now :

Haslett signs in Buffalo just before the draft and takes the scouting reports with him .

Haslett signs 5 minutes after Saban signs somewhere .

Hopefully Benson had a clause , which allows Benson to release Haslett free and clear to pursue the Buffalo job . If that is the case then if Benson wants to he can release Haslett for the fact there was a head coaching vacancy in Buffalo , wether he gets it or not .

BlackandBlue

I don\'t see Saban leaving LSU, he\'s one of the top paid head coaches in college.

saint5221

This is an article from the Times Pic. This is proably the source in New Orleans the Buffalo article is citeing. None of them seem to think Haz is going anywhere. Pasquarelli of ESPN has picked up on the rumor as well but adds nothing to the story.

http://www.nola.com/saints/t-p/index...5891192850.xml

Even if the 4-7 Bills win their final five games and salvage a winning season, Gregg Williams has no chance. General Manager Tom Donahoe wants a proven field general and has made up his mind to make a change.

One of his first calls will be to Saints coach Jim Haslett.

On the surface, Haslett and the Bills are a natural fit. He played eight seasons in Buffalo from 1979 to 1986 and remains extremely popular in the area. His wife, Beth, grew up in Buffalo. And he remains tight with Donahoe and Bills assistant general manager Tom Modrak, both of whom worked with Haslett in Pittsburgh.

Still, despite all the positives, it would be a shocker if Haslett bolted north, even if he has a clause built into his contract that allows him to do so.

First of all, he would be seceding power and no coach worth his endorsement contract is willing to do that. In New Orleans, Haslett pretty much runs the football operation. That wouldn\'t be the case in Buffalo, where Donahoe is clearly The Man.

Second, Haslett is content in New Orleans. His contract takes him through the 2006 season. Wife, Beth, loves the area, and their three children are happily entrenched in school.

Third, and perhaps most important, Haslett is confident the Saints are on the brink of a breakout season. If the club can add two top cornerbacks, a linebacker and a back-up running back in the offseason, he believes his team can take the next step and join the league\'s elite.

When you add it all up, it\'s a no-brainer. But that doesn\'t mean Haslett won\'t be tempted, especially if his team stumbles to another faulty finish.

Stay tuned.

saint5221

That is a good point 08, one can only hope if such a clause exists in Haz\'s contract the Saints were smart enough to also add something to protect them from Haz sticking them. This all seem a little out there as of now, but who the hell knows stranger things have happened.

iceshack149

This sounds like wishfull thinking for alot of disgruntled Saints fans. Myself included.

Jim, this team has been on the brink of a breakout season since they broke out in 2001. Where\'ve you been?

That brings me to this...
http://www.foxsports.com/content/view?contentId=1919724

The Star-Ledger\'s Dave Hutchinson reports that Herman Edwards could decide to leave the Jets if they don\'t give him a contract extension. Edwards has an escape clause in his contract that allows him to bolt at the end of this season and he could decide to exercise it if the Jets fail to give him a new deal.

Okay this is more wishfull thinking from a disgruntled fan but if it all worked out I\'d love to see a tough, fiery coach like Herm Edwards shape up this talented yet mistake prone team.

"...it's good to have friends, no matter where they are."--JOESAM2002

ami2kind4words

do anyone know dennis green #

BillyC

1-800-UNEMPLOYED

iceshack149

Green was in a similar situation and isn\'t employed for a reason. He too had good receivers, athletic quarterback, great running back, subpar defense and couldn\'t do it.

D_it_up

If Haslett is out at the end of the year and Nick Saban definitely doesn\'t leave LSU, how about coaxing Jimmy Johnson back on the sidelines? Maybe he could bring in a Buddy Ryan-type defensive coordinator. Just a suggestion.