# How does a coaches suspension work? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [March 26, 2012, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-coaches-suspension-work/616887 "2012-03-26T23:09:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2012, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-coaches-suspension-work/616887/1 "2012-03-26T23:09:39Z")
I’ve read Sean Payton’s suspension starts this coming Sunday. So what does that mean? Can he have any contact with his staff or the team players? Can he go into the building? Can he watch from the sidelines or does he have to buy a ticket to watch a Saints game? I guess any night time phone calls between Payton and his staff are strictly forbidden? There’s speculation he’s asked his old mentor Bill Parcells to take over for this season. That seems like the ideal solution. Parcells isn’t a threat to take his job. Plus you have a Superbowl winning coach in charge for a season. The Saints could have another great season. We’ve been joking Payton and Parcells should swap jobs for this year. Payton goes on ESPN and Parcells coaches. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2012, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-coaches-suspension-work/616887/2 "2012-03-26T23:30:27Z")
This seems pretty bizarre. Seems like an appeal would only delay the inevitable. Why would Payton want to coach after April 1? The quicker he starts the suspension the less impact it will have on next years 2013 season. > [@](#): > > NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell might allow Sean Payton to coach the Saints if he appeals his season-long suspension for his role in the team’s bounties program. > > Goodell says Monday at the league meetings in Palm Beach, Fla., that should Payton appeal, he “probably” would let him continue coaching after April 1, when the suspension is to begin. Goodell says he would expedite the hearing and his decision on an appeal. [http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gr\_FB9sJltyuhyhU7re033bPlhuw?docId=160496baddf042eab51ecafbe59d7b0a](http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gr_FB9sJltyuhyhU7re033bPlhuw?docId=160496baddf042eab51ecafbe59d7b0a) ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2012, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-coaches-suspension-work/616887/3 "2012-03-26T23:48:42Z")
He cannot have any contact with any members of the team. He cannot enter any of the team facilities. He cannot use an intermediary to contact the team. He simply must stay clear. How easy is that to enforce is another issue, but basically a suspension means he is supposed to stay away, period. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-coaches-suspension-work/616887/4 "2012-03-27T01:21:35Z")
I suspected that there couldn’t be any contact. Goodell will be watching too because he doesn’t want his ruling sidestepped. Parcells is the one coach with the experience to take over and Payton can walk away for a year. Payton wouldn’t trust one of the assistants to take over enough for him to just walk away. He’d be meddling with phone calls and late night meetings. That could spell big trouble from Goodell. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-coaches-suspension-work/616887/5 "2012-03-27T01:26:21Z")
Why is it up to Payton who replaces him for a year? Wouldn’t it be the team owner who decides that? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-coaches-suspension-work/616887/6 "2012-03-27T02:13:45Z")
The last I heard Payton wasn’t fired. Whoever takes over is just there to take over the reins and guide the program. That would include handling training camp, and making all the plans for the season. But you’re right. the owner is the guy that has to decide if he wants to pay someone to step in. Or just promote an assistant for a year. If they decide to just promote an assistant then I can’t see the Saints doing very well at all. Parcells wouldn’t come cheap. If this happens someone will have to dig deep into their pockets. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-coaches-suspension-work/616887/7 "2012-03-27T02:38:56Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Why is it up to Payton who replaces him for a year? Wouldn’t it be the team owner who decides that? I don’t think it’s Payton’s decision; he just has some input. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-coaches-suspension-work/616887/8 "2012-03-27T02:43:56Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Parcells wouldn’t come cheap. If this happens someone will have to dig deep into their pockets. He would be cheaper than the 6 million they are saving by not paying Payton. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-coaches-suspension-work/616887/9 "2012-03-27T02:45:14Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I don’t think it’s Payton’s decision; he just has some input. I guess he might have some input, but if I were the owner, I’d choose who I wanted to coach the team this year. I’d also have to give some thought as to whether I even wanted a head coach to return that ignored my direct orders to stop the bounty hunt. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-coaches-suspension-work/616887/10 "2012-03-27T02:55:24Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > I guess he might have some input, but if I were the owner, I’d choose who I wanted to coach the team this year. I’d also have to give some thought as to whether I even wanted a head coach to return that ignored my direct orders to stop the bounty hunt. So would I. However Benson has hitched his wagon very firmly to Payton and it seems neither he nor Loomis will be fired. Payton is getting a smackdown from the league, but I guess he is also learning that his boss considers him almost unfireable- which is perhaps not the most conducive situation for discipline. As far as the interim coach thing goes… the word is that there is no obvious successor on the Saints’ staff, and that being the case, if you have an in with Bill Parcells, you have to at least explore the possibility. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-coaches-suspension-work/616887/11 "2012-03-27T03:53:38Z")
Saints were 8-3 last year? Got eliminated in the Divisional Playoffs? That sounds like a team any retired coach would love taking for a season. No headaches worrying about building a team for the future. Just get out there and play. Its a strange situation. I can’t recall any coach getting suspended like this for an entire season. ---
**Author:** ![installLSC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/54ee81/32.png) [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-coaches-suspension-work/616887/12 "2012-03-27T06:59:34Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Its a strange situation. I can’t recall any coach getting suspended like this for an entire season. [Leo Durocher](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_Durocher) was suspended for the 1947 season for consorting with gamblers.