Since he was hired as head coach of the New Orleans Saints in 2006, Sean Payton has established himself as one of the NFL's most successful coaches. He's led the Saints to eight playoff berths, six NFC South titles and in 2009 captured the franchise's first World Championship with a 31-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV. Payton's 139 regular season and postseason wins in his NFL head coaching career are 26th all-time. He has a 139-84 overall record (.623), including eight postseason wins after the franchise had won only one playoff game prior to his arrival. Payton holds the club's top win total and winning percentage. In all, Payton-led teams have claimed six division championships and have eight seasons with ten-or-more wins, while claiming the No. 1 seed in the NFC twice.
As Payton enters the 2020 campaign he continues to represent the Saints as the model of stability not only within the NFC South, where he is the longest tenured head coach within the division, but also second within the NFL as only New England's Bill Belichick (2000) has been with his team longer. Payton is also one of just nine active coaches to lead a team to a Super Bowl victory. The others are Belichick, Seattle's Pete Carroll, Oakland's Jon Gruden (with Tampa Bay in 2002), Baltimore's John Harbaugh, Dallas' Mike McCarthy (with Green Bay in 2010), Philadelphia's Doug Pederson, Kansas City's Andy Reid and Pittsburgh's Mike Tomlin.
Payton's presided over the NFL's most prolific offense since his arrival, leading the league in net yards per game in 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2014 and 2016, the only six times the Saints have led the league in offense and first in scoring in 2008 and 2009. Ranking in the top ten offensively every season since Payton arrived, the Saints have the third-longest streak (14 seasons) in the NFL since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. In team history, the Saints have scored at least 45 points on 25 separate occasions with 21 of these outputs occurring under Payton's watch. Defensively, New Orleans has finished in the top five twice (2010 and 2013). He has also sent a total of 63 selections to the Pro Bowl, including a franchise-record 11 in 2019, and he and his staff have earned the honor of coaching the NFC squad following the 2006 and 2017 seasons.
Despite missing QB Drew Brees for five contests, the 2019 Saints won 13 games, including seven on the road, both for the second consecutive season and and captured the NFC South division title for the third straight time. His six division titles are tied for third among active head coaches. New Orleans set an NFL single-season mark with eight turnovers, as they ranked second in the league in turnover ratio (+13). New Orleans also ranked third in the NFL in sacks (51) tied for third in scoring (28.6 ppg.) and ranked fourth in opponent rushing yards per game (91.3 ypg). Special teams captured first place in NFL writer Rick Gosselin's annual comprehensive rankings. Individually, a club-record six Saints were selected to the Associated Press All-Pro team: LB Demario Davis, DB J.T. Gray (special teams), WR/RS Deonte Harris (punt returner), DE Cameron Jordan, RT Ryan Ramczyk and WR Michael Thomas. A team-record 11 Saints were named to the Pro Bowl. Thomas captured AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year with a record-breaking season. In his fourth campaign, he captured his second straight NFL receiving title, totaling a league-record 149 receptions for a team-record 1,725 yards and nine touchdowns. Jordan set a career-high with 15.5 sacks, third in the NFL. Brees completed 74.3% of his passes with 27 touchdowns, only four interceptions and a career-high 116.3 passer rating as he became the NFL's all-time scoring throw leader. TE Jared Cook caught 43 passes for 705 yards (16.4 avg.) with nine scores. RB Alvin Kamara became the second Saint with three consecutive seasons of 1,300 total yards from scrimmage, the only to do so in his first three campaigns.
In 2018, Payton led the Saints to back-to-back division titles for the first time, as they captured the NFC South with a 13-3 record, including 7-1 on the road, securing homefield advantage for the postseason. The Black and Gold excelled on offense, defense and special teams in advancing to the NFC Championship for the first time since 2009. The offense ranked first in the NFL in rushing touchdowns (26), third in scoring (31.5 ppg.) and sixth in rushing (126.6 ypg.). New Orleans' 61 touchdowns were tied for second-most in the league, while the signal-callers' seven interceptions were tied for second-fewest. The Saints defense ranked second in opponent rushing yards par game (80.2 avg.) and opponent yards per carry (3.6 avg.) and tied for fifth in sacks (49). The Saints led the NFL in net punting average (43.2), while the coverage units' 60 punt return yards surrendered was a league-low and the fifth lowest total since 1978.
Brees completed 364-of-489 passes (NFL-record 74.4%) for 3,992 yards, 32 touchdowns, only five interceptions and a league-best and career-high 115.7 rating, becoming the NFL's all-time passing yardage leader. Thomas posted an NFL-best 125 catches for 1,405 yards and nine touchdowns. Kamara had a club-best 1,592 yards from scrimmage, tied the club record with 18 touchdowns and set a team mark with 14 rushing. Jordan led the Saints with 12 takedowns and CB Marshon Lattimore had a club-best seven takeaways in the regular season and playoffs. On special teams, P Thomas Morstead had a league-best 43.2 net punting average and K Wil Lutz drilled a club-record 26 consecutive field goals. Eight Saints were named to the NFC Pro Bowl squad.
The 2017 Saints produced an 11-5 record, producing their first playoff berth since 2013, behind a squad that led by Brees offensively and Jordan defensively featured seven players selected to the Pro Bowl and four draft picks selected to the PFWA All-Rookie Team, two more than any other club. In Kamara and Lattimore, the Saints were the first team to have both the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year since 1967. New Orleans, one of three NFC South playoff teams, upended Carolina (11-5) and Atlanta (10-6) to finish first in the division and advanced to the Divisional Playoff round after capturing a 31-26 Wild Card victory over the Panthers.
Offensively, New Orleans was the only team to rank in the top five in the NFL in both rushing yards per game (129.4) and net passing yards per game (261.8), while giving up only 20 sacks, the second lowest total in the league and turning the ball over a franchise-low 18 times. Brees was selected to his club-record tenth Pro Bowl as a Saint as he completed 386-of-536 passes (72.0%) with 23 touchdowns, eight interceptions and a 103.9 rating. Mark Ingram II, Kamara and Thomas provided additional highlights on offense. Kamara led the team with 1,544 total yards from scrimmage, seventh in the NFL, as he carried 120 times for 728 yards (NFL-best 6.1 avg.) with eight touchdowns and led running backs in receiving yardage with 81 grabs for 826 yards and five touchdowns. Adding a 106-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in Week 17, the longest play in club history, he set the club rookie record for touchdowns (14). Ingram ranked second on the club with 1,540 total yards from scrimmage as he and Kamara became the first running back duo in NFL history to each reach 1,500 yards. Ingram led the team in rushing with 230 carries for a career-high 1,124 yards and career-best 12 touchdowns. Thomas posted 104 receptions for 1,245 yards.
The defense saw improvement in virtually every major statistical category. New Orleans moved up ten spots in total defense, including from 32nd to 15th against the pass. After ranking 31st in opponent points per game in 2016, New Orleans moved up to tenth in 2017, surrendering only 20.4 points per game. Led by Jordan, a first-team AP All-Pro who posted a career-high 13 sacks, New Orleans racked up 42 takedowns (tied for seventh in the NFL). Lattimore, who led NFL rookies with five interceptions, joined Jordan as a Pro Bowl selection. On special teams, New Orleans ranked sixth in the NFL in kickoff return average (22.9), as Kamara brought back the team's first kickoff for a touchdown since 2009 and Lutz tied the single-season franchise record with 31 field goals.
In 2016, Payton had the Saints in playoff contention right until Week 16 despite season-ending injuries to four Week One starters. Rebounding from a 0-3 start, the Saints won four of their next five contests to get back in the middle of the postseason picture. Payton accomplished the balancing act of adding youth to his squad while keeping the Saints in the thick of the playoff hunt, which paid off with a 2017 breakthrough. He nurtured the on-field growth of rookie and second-year players, including Lutz, DT David Onyemata, G/T Andrus Peat, DT Sheldon Rankins and Thomas, while fostering impressive production from veterans.
The offense finished first in the NFL for the sixth time under Payton's direction (426.0 ypg.), leading the league in passing (317.1 ypg.), third down conversion rate (48.6), first downs (395) and yards after the catch (2,439). The offense was led by Brees, who completed 471-of-673 passes (70.0%) for 5,208 yards with 37 touchdowns and a 101.7 passer rating, leading the NFL in passing yardage for the seventh time and surpassing 5,000 yards for the fifth time. Ingram became the first Saint with 1,000 yards rushing (1,043) since 2006, Thomas, who set club rookie receiving records with a team-high 92 grabs for 1,137 yards with nine touchdowns, combined with fellow wideout Brandin Cooks (1,173 yards) to give New Orleans only the second offense in NFL history that featured a 5,000-yard passer, a 1,000-yard rusher and two 1,000-yard receivers. Defensively, a young unit moved in the right direction, surrendering only 90.6 rushing yards per game, and ranking sixth in the NFL over the final 13 weeks of the season, allowing under 100 yards rushing in eight games, the fewest in a single season since 2013 (seven). Jordan led the team with eight sacks.
After a slow start to the 2015 campaign, a team that featured 17 players who had not appeared in a regular season contest prior to the season opener won three of their last four games and finished 7-9, making strides in all phases. A high-powered, quick-striking offense held its place among the elite in the NFL as the Saints finished second in the NFL in total net yards per game (403.8) and first in net passing yards per game (310.6), third down conversion rate (47.7%) and first downs (381). While maintaining their explosive profile, the offense reduced their turnovers from 30 in 2014 to only 19. Brees completed 428-of-627 passes (68.3%) for an NFL-best 4,870 yards, 32 touchdowns and a 101.0 passer rating. Cooks enjoyed a breakout campaign, leading the team with 84 receptions for 1,138 yards with nine touchdowns. Defensively, the Saints had six players with no prior NFL experience start games for the club in 2015 and the development showed towards the end of the season when they surrendered under 20 points in two of their final four contests. Of the club's 21 defensive takeaways, nine were by players in their first year. Jordan reached double-digit sacks for the second time and represented the Saints at the Pro Bowl. An opportunistic special teams unit scored two touchdowns, their most since 2008 and tied for the group's most since Payton took over in 2006. They also scored the NFL's first defensive two-point conversion, blocked three kicks and booted two game-winning field goals.
The 2014 Saints finished 7-9, but rebounded from a 2-4 start to win three games against playoff teams and captured their last four contests away from home to finish at least .500 on the road for the first time since 2011, ending the campaign half a game out of first place in the NFC South. New Orleans finished first in the NFL in net yards per game (411.4), third down efficiency (48.3%), first downs (395) and opponent punt return average (4.1). Four Saints were selected to the Pro Bowl. Brees tied for first in the NFL in passing yardage (4,952).
In 2013, Payton guided the Saints back to the postseason with an 11-5 mark, finishing 8-0 at home for the second time in three seasons. Ranking fourth in the NFL both on offense (399.4 ypg.) and defense (305.7 ypg.), New Orleans was one of the league's most balanced clubs as they were the only team to rank in the top five in both categories. The defensive improvement of 134.4 net yards per game from 2012 was the biggest by a club since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. In opponent points per game, after surrendering 28.4 in 2012, the Saints gave up only 19.0 in 2013 as they improved in the league rankings from 31st to fourth. After reaching the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons, Payton led New Orleans to the franchise's first road postseason victory with a 26-24 win at Philadelphia in the Wild Card round. Five players were selected to the Pro Bowl.
In 2011, the Saints went to the playoffs for the third consecutive season and captured their third NFC South title with a 13-3 record, tying a club record for regular season victories first set in 2009. It was the first time that the club has had at least 11 wins in three straight campaigns. Taking advantage of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome's environment, the Saints posted an undefeated 8-0 record at their home stadium for the first time. With five road victories, the Saints also enjoyed another first in posting winning records at visiting stadiums in three consecutive seasons. In fact, five of the top six road campaigns in team history (7-1 in 2009, 2018 and 2019, 6-2 in 2006 and 2010) have come under Payton. His regular season road winning percentage (.587) is tops in club history.
Payton oversaw a record-setting year on offense for the Saints in 2011, as New Orleans set an NFL single-season mark with 7,474 net yards, while also posting a team-record 547 points, then the fourth-highest total all-time. Brees set NFL single-season records for completions (468) and completion percentage (71.2%) and what was then a mark for yardage (5,476). The team set NFL records for total net yards (7,474), completions (472), third down conversion rate (56.7%) and fewest fumbles (6), while also setting what were then league marks for net passing yards (5,347) and first downs (416). A reconfigured offensive line with three new starters surrendered only 24 sacks, tied for the second-lowest total in the league. Five players represented the team at the Pro Bowl.
In 2010, Payton led the Saints to their second straight postseason appearance with an 11-5 record. New Orleans converted an NFL-best 48.8% of their third down attempts and ranked sixth in the NFL in total yards (372.5 ypg.). In addition, the team finished third in passing (277.6 ypg.). The Saints finished fifth in the NFL with 351 first downs. The offensive line gave up only 26 sacks, which was the NFL's fifth-lowest total. Five Saints were Pro Bowl selections. Defensively, the team took a big step forward, making the jump from the 25th ranked total defense in 2009 to fourth overall (306.3 ypg.) in 2010. It marked the first time since 1997 they ranked among the league's top five. Most significant was a jump in pass defense, moving from 26th (235.6 ypg.) in 2009 to fourth (193.9 ypg.) in 2010. The club moved up from 20th to seventh (19.2 ppg) in opponent points per game. The defense also significantly improved their opponent third down conversion ranking from 14th (38.0%) to fifth (34.5%).
In 2009, en route to the Super Bowl XLIV title, Payton guided the Saints to the team's second NFC South title in four seasons with a 13-3 record. Along the way the Saints set a franchise-record for most regular season wins in a season (13). Their 16 overall victories were the most in the club's history. The Saints also posted the franchise's longest winning streak and best start when they won their first 13 contests. Payton once again was named as the top head coach in the NFL by numerous media outlets and recognized football chapters.
The Saints finished as the NFL's top-ranked offense (sixth in rushing and fourth in passing) for the second straight year. An opportunistic defense recorded 26 interceptions with an NFL-leading five returned for touchdowns. New Orleans also ranked second in the league in opponent red zone touchdown percentage (39.3%). The Saints set what were then team records in scoring (510) and touchdowns (64) and battled through the postseason with victories over Arizona (NFC Divisional Playoff) and Minnesota (NFC Championship) en route to Super Bowl XLIV. Seven Saints were named to the Pro Bowl for the first time.
In 2008, the Saints ranked first in the NFL in offense and set what were then team records for total yards (6,571), net passing yards (4,977) and first downs (354), also tying what was then a team record for single-game scoring in a 51-29 win over Green Bay. The offensive line surrendered a franchise-low 13 sacks.
In 2007, the Saints endured injuries and a slow start, but put together a four-game winning streak to get back into playoff contention. New Orleans finished fourth in the NFL in offense, also holding nine opponents to 17 points or less.
Payton scrapped the traditional timetable for rebuilding a club in 2006. In his opening season as head coach, the Saints jumped out to a 3-0 record, equaling the team's win total from the previous year – and clinched the NFC South title in Week 16. New Orleans led the NFL in total offense, went to the postseason for the first time since 2000 and advanced to the NFC Championship for the first time. When the season came to a close, Payton was voted consensus Coach of the Year. He and his staff coached the NFC squad in the Pro Bowl.
Payton was hired as the 14th head coach in Saints history on Jan. 18, 2006 after serving as a member of the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff from 2003-05 under 2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Bill Parcells. Prior to his final season with the Cowboys, Payton was promoted to assistant head coach/passing game coordinator and was responsible for the team's play-calling after serving as assistant head coach/quarterbacks from 2003-04. In 2005, the Cowboys tied for second in the NFC with 318 first downs. When he arrived, Dallas had ranked 31st in passing the previous year but immediately improved to 17th.
Payton went to Dallas following four years with the New York Giants (1999-2002), the last three as offensive coordinator after spending his first season as quarterbacks coach. He solidified his reputation as one of the game's brightest offensive minds in his first full season as coordinator, when the Giants captured the NFC title and went to Super Bowl XXXV. New York scored 328 points – the club's highest total since 1990 - and finished 13th in the NFL in offense.
Payton was first assigned play-calling duties prior to a game against the New York Jets on Dec. 5, 1999. The Giants responded with 41 points and 490 yards - both season highs - and he retained that assignment over the final five games. Appointed the offensive coordinator the following season, over the next three years the Giants passing attack continually improved, ranking 13th in the NFL in 2000, tied for eighth in 2001 and sixth in 2002.
In 2002 the Giants also finished sixth overall in total offense, the team's highest ranking since 1985. In the previous decade, New York hadn't ranked above 20th. Prior to joining the Giants, he spent 1997 and 1998 as Philadelphia's quarterbacks coach. In 1997, the Eagles ranked second in passing and third in total offense in the NFC.
Payton has had particular success tutoring quarterbacks. Brees has thrived since arriving in New Orleans, as he holds or has tied a total of 27 club career, single-season and single-game records, 13 of them NFL marks. Since signing with the Saints, Brees has completed 5,742 of 8,352 attempts (68.8%) for 65,068 yards with 467 touchdowns and a 101.3 rating. He has led the NFL in passing yardage a league-record seven times and in completion percentage six times.
Payton wrapped two coaching stints at San Diego State (1988-89 and 1992-93) around a stop at Indiana State (1990-91). During his second stretch with the Aztecs, Payton was running backs coach, working with Heisman Trophy runner-up Marshall Faulk before becoming quarterbacks coach. Payton moved to Miami (Ohio), where he was quarterbacks coach from 1994-95. He spent 1996 as quarterbacks coach at Illinois before entering the NFL with Philadelphia.
Payton earned a bachelor's degree in communications at Eastern Illinois, where as a quarterback he had 10,665 passing yards, then the third-highest total in NCAA Division I-AA history. The three-time AP All-American selection had professional stints with Chicago of the Arena Football League, Ottawa of the CFL and the Chicago Bears in 1987. Payton was inducted into the Eastern Illinois Hall of Fame in 2000 and had his jersey retired in a ceremony in 2010. He received an honorary doctorate from his alma mater in 2013.
Payton was born Dec. 29, 1963 in San Mateo, Calif., and raised in Naperville, Ill., Payton has a daughter, Meghan and a son, Connor.
