RICHARD ROSENBLATT,AP Sports Writer
In this Dec. 10, 2006 file photo, then Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells, right, shakes hands with New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton after the Saints defeated the Cowboys 42-17 in an NFL football game in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, file)NEW YORK (AP) – While NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is deciding on punishment for players and listening to appeals in the Saints’ bounty case, he says he won’t stand in the way if New Orleans asks Bill Parcells to take over as interim coach.
“That’s their decision. They need to make those decisions and we’ll move forward,” Goodell said Monday at the opening of an NFL pop-up store featuring new team apparel. “Bill’s a great coach, and I’m sure will add a lot of personality and intrigue. And he’s as competitive as they get so I’m sure he’ll do a good job.”
Before the Saints pick someone to run the team this year, Goodell still has to rule on coach Sean Payton’s appeal of his season-long suspension, along with the appeals of shorter suspensions to assistant coach Joe Vitt and general manager Mickey Loomis and penalties handed down to the team.
Goodell expects to hear the appeals this week, and hopes to making a ruling shortly thereafter.