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New Saint marches in Haslett accepts New Orleans job, begins rebuilding task
Posted: Thursday February 03, 2000 09:55 PM
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Jim Haslett knows all about the New Orleans Saints' bleak history. He was once part of it as an assistant. Now Haslett is back as coach armed with a plan to pull the losingest team in the NFL out of an eight-year slump. "I don't want to talk about numbers," Haslett said Thursday. "But I'll promise this, we'll have a well-run program that plays hard and does all the right things that are conducive to winning." Although there were reports on Wednesday that Haslett had taken the job, Saints general manager Randy Mueller said the deal wasn't struck until about 9 a.m. Thursday. Denver offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak was very much in the running until the last minute, Mueller said. "We talked late last night Denver time," Mueller said. "I told him then where we were headed and he knew it might end up this way. But until that time, he was a very active candidate." Kubiak couldn't be reached for comment on Thursday. He wasn't at the Broncos' facility and a team spokesman said his telephone had been disconnected.
Haslett received a three-year contract. Financial terms weren't disclosed but it was believed to be less than $1 million per year but more than $600,000. Team owner Tom Benson is still paying off former coach Mike Ditka, who had a contract that ran through 2002 at $2 million a year; general manager Bill Kuharich, whose contract ran through 2003 at about $500,000 a year, and other staff members. Ditka and the others were fired Jan. 5 after the Saints finished 3-13, their third losing season under Ditka. The Saints have not had a winning season since 1992, something that Mueller said Haslett is equipped to change. "You're talking about an energetic, tireless worker who has a passion for the game," Mueller said. "I want to try to create the atmosphere around here of passion, people that will not accept losing." Haslett and Mueller know each other well. When Mueller was vice president of football operations in Seattle, Haslett was a leading candidate to become coach of the Seahawks. Mike Holmgren left Green Bay to become Seattle's coach and general manager, displacing much of Mueller's authority. "Some may think our friendship had something to do with this hiring," Mueller said. "I can promise you it had zero to do with it. We picked the guy that can do the best job." The Saints are without a first- and third-round pick in this year's draft. Those choices, as well as all last year's picks, were traded to acquire Heisman Trophy-winning running back Ricky Williams. Mueller and Haslett admitted the lack of picks hurt their rebuilding efforts but said they are working on deals to acquire more choices as well as looking at available free agents. "The way this business is nowadays with free agency and young guys coming in that have to play, you're just not going to get the perfect team anymore," Haslett said. "But if you can stay injury free -- which this team had a hard time with the last couple of years - if you can do some things to turn it around, you always have a chance. "Teams have turned it around. You saw two teams in the Super Bowl this year that turned it around." Haslett, 44, defensive coordinator in Pittsburgh since 1997, was the Saints' defensive coordinator in 1996 and coached linebackers in 1995. While he was with the Saints, New Orleans improved from 22nd to 13th in total defense. The Steelers were 11th in total defense this season. "I think it's an excellent choice, outstanding," former Saints coach Jim Mora said. "When he was working for me I saw the potential to be a head coach. He'll do a great job." Following the 1995 season, Haslett was offered the defensive coordinator's job at Tampa Bay by first-year coach Tony Dungy, but declined. Haslett moved up to the top defensive job with New Orleans after his boss, Monte Kiffin, took the Tampa Bay job. When Mora quit midway through the 1996 season, Haslett was considered for acting coach, but declined. He was not retained after the Saints completed a 3-13 record under interim coach Rick Venturi. Haslett then joined Pittsburgh under coach Bill Cowher. Last year, Haslett turned down an offer from the Philadelphia Eagles. He also interviewed for coaching positions last year with Chicago and Baltimore.
"I think he has very solid credentials that qualify him for a head coaching position," Mueller said. "Look at what he's done with the defenses he's had both here and in Pittsburgh."
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