CHARLOTTE, NC — The Carolina Panthers have received approval from the New Orleans Saints to interview Sean Payton for their vacant head coaching position, according to a person familiar with the situation.
The Panthers also requested permission to talk to Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Vic Fangio and New York Jets safeties coach Marquand Manuel for the defensive coordinator position.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team does not release details of its coaching search.
Steve Wilks was the interim head coach of the Panthers this season and Al Holcomb was the interim defensive coordinator.
Payton, 59, is expected to be a hot commodity among NFL teams looking for coaching stability.
He could be especially expensive for Panthers owner David Tepper to land considering the Panthers are in the same division as the Saints and face them twice a season. New Orleans will likely receive significant compensation for the draft pick before agreeing to let Payton join the Panthers.
Payton won the NFC South seven times with the Saints and the Super Bowl in the 2009 season, amassing a 152-89 record.
Fangio previously served as the Panthers’ defensive coordinator more than two decades ago from 1995-98.
AP Source: Panthers to interview Sean Payton for HC job
Source link AP Source: Panthers to interview Sean Payton for HC job