I think this rumor has some validity to it.

USC is a top college program. And maybe, like Saban, Payton can no longer force his will on pro-players, but would command 100% attention from College players wanting to go pro.

I have no idea if he can recruit so take it with a grain or two of salt and a shot or two of Tequilla.

Where does all of these things come from? How do they know that Saints would be inclined to let SP go if he was interested in another team.

It is concerning to think about Tom Benson loosing control of the franchise. I know he is up in age but keeping it within the Benson family would be ideal.

SP has also said he is not going to be firing any coaches just yet. There may be a reason for that. He may be thinking some of them will go with him.

If he goes it would be bitter sweet.

At some point you have to listen to what people actually SAY out of their mouths, and stop dealing with all the rampant speculation and guessing.

Payton is a pro baller through and through, and I don't see him going any other way. The college thing is not really like him at all. If you look at his career track, he got out of college coaching ranks as fast as he could, and jumped to the pros the very first chance he got.

How often do you hear Payton say things about PRO BALL in his speeches and comments, like "our game" "at this level" "in this league" or how often he talks about new young players adjusting to "our speed" and "our way of doing things" as opposed to college, how different it is, how much better you have to be, etc. Even when Goodell was dogging him, Payton's statements were STILL all about the shield and RESPECTING the pro game.

Sean Paytan actually cares about that stuff.

To me those type of comments and the way he says them, it sounds like someone who is very proud to be there at the pinnacle of the sport (the top level, the NFL, nothing is any bigger than that). He's never said anything I've heard, that makes me think he would have any interest in going backwards professionally, back down to the college level. Other than coaching his son in middle school, which was kind of a funny fluke thing.

He loves pro ball so much, he's enamored with kids of dads who played in the pros, like Ingram, Peat, and Cam Jordan.

Payton played in the pros, he's coached in the pros, he is all about the culture and the NFL locker room. That's why I just don't see this USC thing happening.

They are talking him up, at USC, as a possibility, because they have to go to the boosters and donors and say something, to make it look like they are doing something!