Mark Ingram shares reaction to Sean Payton’s decision to step away

In a recent interview with FanSided, Mark Ingram spoke about Sean Payton stepping down as New Orleans Saints head coach.

Initially, there were eight head coaching vacancies in the NFL. But on Tuesday, the New Orleans Saints entered the coaching carousel after Sean Payton announced he was stepping down after 15 seasons on the job. The news came as a huge shock for Saints fans around the world, as the team is now looking for a new head coach.

In a recent interview with FanSided’s Mark Carman, Saints running back Mark Ingram shared his thoughts when hearing that Payton was stepping down as the team’s head coach.

“Yeah I was a little surprised, caught me a little bit off guard,” said Ingram. “But this is a tough business, it’s a cutthroat business too at that. So any time you get to leave on your own terms, I think that’s a positive. You got to do what’s best for you and obviously this is what’s best for him in this moment and this time for him and his family.”

Mark Ingram speaks on Sean Payton stepping down as head coach

In the interview, Ingram thanked Payton for drafting him in the first-round of the 2011 NFL Draft and for helping him become a better football player. Ingram also congratulated Payton on a legendary career and for changing “the legacy of the whole program and whole city.”

Payton was hired by the Saints in 2006 after spending three years as the assistant head coach and passing game coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys. The hiring resulted in huge success for the Saints organization as they won their first NFC South title in his first year on the job and led them to a playoff victory, earning him the Coach of the Year award. Then, there was his fourth season where the Saints won their first Super Bowl title in history after defeating the Peyton Manning-led Indianapolis Colts 31-17.

After just missing out on the playoffs this season, Payton is now stepping away from coaching. With 15-years as New Orleans’ head coach, Payton holds a 152-83 overall record in the regular-season and a 9-8 record in the playoffs. He won seven NFC South titles and Super Bowl 44.

Now, the Saints have begun their search for their new head coach. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is one of the internal candidates for the job. The Saints did request an interview with Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich.

Saints running back Mark Ingram spoke to FanSided on behalf of Microban 24.