Fansided

Ranking 32 NFL head coaches based on presidential potential

By Cody Williams

Jan 3, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians and Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll talk prior to the game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians and Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll talk prior to the game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 14, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton during the first day of minicamp sessions at the New Orleans Saints Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton during the first day of minicamp sessions at the New Orleans Saints Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

18. Sean Payton – New Orleans Saints

Speaking strictly from a football-coaching perspective, there’s not much you can take away from Sean Payton. Over the course of his nine seasons (in 10 years — don’t ask) at the helm of the New Orleans Saints, Payton has brought the team a Super Bowl victory, five playoff berths, and an 87-57 regular-season record. Much of that has to do with Payton’s ability to adjust and adapt, as evidenced by the team’s somewhat tumultuous 2015 campaign.

Even with Drew Brees, last year’s Saints had no business being even remotely relevant, given their glaring holes defensively and lack of weapons in key offensive areas. And Payton still coached that team to a 7-9 record. That speaks to his ability to maximize talent and assets — an indispensable trait for any president (or any good one, anyway). But like the oft-sordid shadows that have come back to haunt many a president, there’s more to Sean Payton than just his record. And it ain’t all good.

As an ethical leader, you have to at least somewhat question Payton’s judgment, why with his 2012 suspension following the Bountygate scandal. That he allowed that to happen under his watch doesn’t do him any favors when it comes to his trustworthiness as a leader. Even if he comes across as likable more often than not, that debacle alone penalizes him substantially in these rankings.

Next: No. 17 Jeff Fisher

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