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The New Orleans Saints are in talks with Bill Parcells about becoming their interim head coach during Sean Payton’s season-long suspension. But those talks can’t progress to a formal job offer until the Saints fulfill the requirements of the Rooney Rule by interviewing a minority candidate. Which raises the question: What are the Saints going to do if they decide Parcells is the guy they want, and Parcells decides he wants the job?

The Saints’ options would be twofold: They could either hire Parcells in blatant violation of the Rooney Rule, as the Lions did with Steve Mariucci in 2003, and therefore open themselves up to further league discipline right after they faced the toughest league discipline in NFL history over their bounty scandal. Or they could start looking for a minority candidate who’s willing to go through the motions of a sham interview simply to help the Saints and the league keep up the appearance that every coaching vacancy includes a minority candidate.

Former NFL head coach Herm Edwards says that either way, the situation is a mess.

“It makes it a little bit of a scam now,” Edwards said on ESPN. “That’s the shame of it all. Sean Payton opening his mouth like he did, he really reflects that this thing is going to become a sham if Bill Parcells takes this job. Because if you do decide to interview a minority, you’re going to go with Bill Parcells. You’ve already said, ‘This is our coach.’ That’s the shame of it all. It puts the commissioner in another bind.”

Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice was seated next to Edwards on the SportsCenter set when the subject came up, and Rice questioned whether any minority candidate would agree to interview for the Saints’ interim head coaching job. All indications out of New Orleans are that if the Saints go outside the franchise for an interim head coach, they’re going to hire Parcells. And that means any minority candidate they interview would know in advance that the purpose of the interview is to satisfy the letter of the Rooney Rule, even after they’ve already violated the spirit of the Rooney Rule.

“I know for me, I would not want to go do an interview if I’m not going to get that job,” Rice said.

Edwards added that the Saints have already, by reaching out to Parcells but not reaching out to any minorities, indicated that they’re going to go after the coach they want and not broaden their coaching search to include minority candidates, which the Rooney Rule is designed to make teams do.

“They’re making a mockery of the rule right now,” Edwards said.

Herm Edwards: Saints are making a mockery of the Rooney Rule | ProFootballTalk


Well, that didn't take long.

Interview Curtis Johnson and be done with it.

Danno

We aren't hiring a new coach, we're looking for an interim figurehead to keep it between the ditches until our HEAD COACH comes off a suspension which was a mockery of justice.

papz

Payton had a conversation with Parcells about possibly being interested in coaching the New Orleans Saints. There was no official interview. Tom Benson and Mickey Loomis have yet to be involved. Herm Edwards needs to shut his trap and stop trying to pile on and make this into a racial issue.

What an ignorant cunt.

WhoDat!656

Herm is mad that the Saints didn't call him!

Euphoria

The rule by definition is raciest.

RockyMountainSaint

The idea that minorities cannot do for themselves is an insult to them.

Brandon428

I’m sure there is a minority fan who would help the Saints in a second. Can any average Joe apply? If so I have a lot black friends that would apply in a second. If I were a minority I’d apply. This is such a stupid rule if you ask me,we’re in the 21st century! Racism only survives because of crap like this! I had a lot of respect for Herm before he started displaying his biased criticism of the Saints. Way to sell out Herm.

Rickh

Do you notice how everybody who piled on the Saints the hardest have expressed how stupid and wrong it would be for Parcells to take over as interim coach?

That makes me think this is a great idea.

Brandon428

I hardly watch ESPN anymore,it’s really become more about drama than sports just like MTV became more of dramatic reality shows than music! Why is it even called MTV still,I can’t remember the last time I saw a music video. Then MTV2 comes out and they promise just music videos and they do the same thing they did to MTV! I think eventually it’ll just be spreading BS rumors,starting trouble,and drama on ESPN than sports! Whoever called ESPN “TMZSPN" couldn’t have said it any better!

dizzle88

Hey herm remember this......

You play to win the game......it should sound familiar to you, so called analysts