Could the Saints Buck the Trend, Win With Defensive-Minded Head Coach?
Bill Belichick and Pete Carroll are the only "defensive-minded" head coaches who have won Super Bowl titles since Sean Payton led New Orleans to victory in Super Bowl 44. Of the 14 title games played, only four coaches known for their defensive strategies — Bill Belichick, Pete Carroll, Ron Rivera, and Dan Quinn — had their teams competing for the Super Bowl. Belichick won three championships, while Carroll won one and lost another in a close game against the Patriots. Even though the Saints won the Lombardi Trophy, they did not have a defensive-minded head coach leading them.
During a recent discussion on SiriusXM Blitz, host Bruce Murray and former NFL general manager Rick Spielman debated the merits of having a defensive-minded or offensive-minded head coach when it comes to winning a Super Bowl in today's era of football.
Jan 1, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
THE SAINTS
The trend is concerning for the Saints since promoting their defensive coordinator Dennis Allen to head coach. In his first season of leadership, the 7-10 record was a disappointment. Hence, Allen made the Saints "his team" this offseason.
First, he recruited Derek Carr as his franchise quarterback and allowed key players to walk in free agency. Even this season's drafted and undrafted players fit his philosophy. As we examine the personnel changes made by the New Orleans Saints this offseason, it's clear that Dennis Allen has had a significant impact. The question is whether his influence will be enough to turn the team into a winning one for the 2023-24 season.
ARE OFFENSIVE-MINDED COACHES THE KEY TO WINNING SUPER BOWLS?
If the ultimate goal is winning a Super Bowl title, then the offensive-minded head coaches are trending in the right direction. Getting to the Super Bowl and winning it is challenging, and numerous contributing factors affect a franchise's success.
"16 [coaches] in the last four years, 14 of them have been coached by offensive guys; what does that tell you?" Murray asked Spielman on the broadcast. "The last Super Bowl I remember with two defensive-minded coaches... was Dan Quinn and Bill Belichick. But, they head two extremely talented quarterbacks - Tom Brady (Patriots) and Matt Ryan (Falcons)," Spielman responded and continued. "It seems like the only formula for a defensive coach to win a Super Bowl is having a Hall of Fame quarterback."
Previous 14 Super Bowl Winners and Coaches
- Kansas City Chiefs - Andy Reid
- Los Angeles Rams - Sean McVay
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Bruce Arians
- Kansas City Chiefs - Andy Reid
- New England Patriots - Bill Belichick
- Philadelphia Eagles - Doug Pederson
- New England Patriots - Bill Belichick
- Denver Broncos - Gary Kubiak
- New England Patriots - Bill Belichick
- Seattle Seahawks - Pete Carroll
- Baltimore Ravens - John Harbaugh
- New York Giants - Tom Coughlin
- Green Bay Packers - Mike McCarthy
- New Orleans Saints - Sean Payton
Rick Spielman strongly suggested that the quarterback can make a measurable difference in winning, losing, and, perhaps most of all, leadership. "You cannot underestimate the value of the leadership of that position and how everybody, not only the football team but everybody in that organization, has to buy in and ask to support their coach, giving them the best chance of success."
Success in a team depends on how they manage their personnel moves, free-agent signings, injuries, coaches' decisions, and internal struggles. Therefore, evaluating how Dennis Allen and Mickey Loomis handle these elements in 2023-24 is critical.
Allen has a 15-38 regular-season head coaching record in the National Football League. He's not a stranger to being on a Super Bowl-winning team while with the Saints. Could he buck the trend for the offensive-minded head coach and take the Saints to Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas next February?
We shall see.
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