NFL Confirms: Saints Coach Gone for the Season

Sean Payton out; Goodell rejects 'rogue coach' theory
By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 9, 2012 3:46 PM CDT
Updated Apr 9, 2012 4:03 PM CDT
NFL Confirms: Saints Coach Gone for the Season
This Oct. 16, 2011 file photo shows New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton watching his team warm up for an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in Tampa, Fla.   (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)

See ya, Sean. The NFL today confirmed its ruling that New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton is out for the season over the team's "bounty" scandal, the New York Times reports. In upholding the suspension, Commissioner Roger Goodell disagreed with a Saints lawyer who blamed the bounty program on former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams (who is banned from football indefinitely). Two team execs will also serve short suspensions. No word yet on whether Bill Parcells will replace Payton, but whoever does will have less than two weeks to prepare for the draft. (More Sean Payton stories.)

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