The Saints’ season is almost over and they have a lot more to come in the offseason. The main priority will be filling their vacant head coaching position, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero offered some insight into what New Orleans could do on Saturday morning.

The Saints have begun gathering background information on candidates to replace former head coach Dennis Allen, who was fired on November 4th. The feeling in league circles is that general manager Mickey Loomis will turn to someone he knows, namely Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn – who narrowly lost to Allen last time out – a frequently mentioned name. Interim coach Darren Rizzi is popular in the building and is expected to be a candidate, especially given the way a locker room decimated by injuries continues to fight for him. Mike McCarthy and Bills OC Joe Brady also have Saints roots. But the team reviews all top candidates.

Glenn is still the hottest name associated with the Saints, and that makes sense. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, New Orleans has also been linked to Mike Vrabel. Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady was one of the top odds favorites.

Over a month ago, I looked at some of the coaching candidates the Saints might be considering. Darren Rizzi, Glenn and Vrabel were three of my best guys, while Brady was in the next level. Rizzi’s interim term may not be enough to appoint him The Guy. It’s interesting that Mike McCarthy is even mentioned here, but New Orleans should cast a wide net and perhaps familiarity isn’t the best route.

If they were to bring in a defensive-minded coach like Vrabel or Glenn, that could mean keeping their offensive strategy and personnel on track. Of course, there will be some turnover, and on the defensive side whoever is hired will want to bring their own people that they trust.

Regardless of who New Orleans ultimately hires, in addition to the good lessons they’ve learned, they’ll also have to learn hard lessons. Yes, the Saints can be a good destination for a new head coach, and I laid that all out after Dennis Allen was fired. Familiarity wouldn’t shock anyone, but is it the right decision? Most wouldn’t agree at the moment.