Bill Parcells Out as Potential 2012 Saints Head Coach

As quickly as the rumors of a potential match between the Big Tuna and the Big Easy started, they faded just as fast.

Today, less than 24 hours after Roger Goodell announced he would uphold Sean Payton’s one-year suspension, it is being reported that Bill Parcells will not be taking over for his former protégé down in the Bayou… or is he?

All indications are that the Saints will name an interim coach for the upcoming 2012-13 season from within the current staff. If the reports are true, the candidates for the position currently are: (assistant head coach) Joe Vitt, who will serve a 6-game suspension to start the season, (offensive coordinator) Pete Carmichael Jr., (offensive line coach) Aaron Kromer and (new defensive coordinator) former St. Louis Rams head coach, Steve Spagnuolo.

According to reports, Parcells preferred to remain retired when it finally came down to making a decision about coaching the Saints. On Monday when Goodell’s decision was announced, Parcells was contacted by the NY Daily News in regards to his future plans with the organization.

Oddly enough, the Tuna didn’t shoot down the idea initially, simply stating that the Saints hadn’t contacted him in almost a week. Today, we are hearing a completely different story, which begs the question if perhaps the money wasn’t right.

“I have not spoken to anyone from the Saints in over 6 days. Know absolutely nothing,” Parcells said via text message. When asked if there was an interest from his part as well as the Saints to join forces this upcoming season the 70-year-olf simply replied: “[I] Do not know answer to either question.”

When you analyze his tone from yesterday’s back and fourth with the Daily News, it surely doesn’t sound like a guy that’s not interested in the job. This must be a money issue. On Tuesday, Saints spokesman Greg Bensel didn’t say either or not Parcells was out as a candidate stating the team had “nothing to report.” Parcells agent, Jimmy Sexton also declined to comment.

However, ESPN’s Senior NFL Insider Chris Mortensen claims that Parcells is definitely out of the running. According to Mortensen it was Payton that one insisting on Parcells to take the vacant one-year position at which time, Parcells allegedly told him that he preferred to remain retired.

In spite of the reports, and Mortensen is a very credible source, this whole thing just doesn’t seem right to me. Could it be that both sides had differing ideas when it comes to a deal, but could potentially iron things out in the coming days? I wouldn’t discard that possibility, especially considering everyone is stating hush-hush about the whole thing.

Why wouldn’t Parcells agent come out and say that his client was not interested? And why would Parcells himself lead the Daily News on? Stay tuned people… I get the feeling this is far from being done!