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Award-winning columnist Tom Archdeacon — an old-school storyteller in a brand-new venue — writes about sports, the city, southwest Ohio and anything else that catches his fancy… or yours.Home > Blogs > Through the Arch > Archives > 2010 > January > 25 > Entry
The Miami RedHawks’ Super Bowl
Miami University’s Cradle of Coaches’ reputation is being reinforced in super fashion right now.
The New Orleans Saints — who will be playing in the franchise’s first Super Bowl ever when they face the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV in Miami, Feb. 7 — are being guided by five coaches with strong Miami ties, including head coach Sean Payton, who has become something of a patron saint in the city ravaged by Hurricane Katrina less than 4 1/2 years ago
The quarterbacks coach and co offensive coordinator of the RedHawks in the mid-1990s, he has secured his spot among Cradle of Coaches legends that include Earl Blaik, Paul Brown, Woody Hayes, Bill Arnsparger, Weeb Ewbank, Sid Gillman, Ara Parseghian, Bo Schembechler, John Pont, Bill Mallory and a dozen or so more coaches of note.
But when he left his Dallas Cowboys assistant coaching job to take over the lowly New Orleans franchise just a few months after the deadly storm, people thought Payton was nuts.
The city was in ruins. More than 1,800 people had died and the battered Superdome — the Saints home field — was missing much of its roof.
Payton has said he came because he thought he could make a difference.
And — both on the football field and in the city — that has happened beyond anyone’s wildest dreams.
The Saints had losing records in 27 of their previous 39 years as a franchise, before Payton got there, but he turned things around instantly.
He convinced quarterback Drew Brees to pick New Orleans over several other NFL clubs after San Diego got rid of him. And he drafted Reggie Bush.
In 2006 — his first season — Payton guided New Orleans to its first ever NFC title game and ended up being named the NFL Coach of the Year. Now — after the Saints topped Minnesota 31-28 in overtime Sunday — he’s got them in their first-ever NFL title game.
Just as importantly, he and Brees and Bush have become pillars of community involvement and giving.
“After Katrina (they) came aboard here like God gave them to us and the whole city has wrapped their arms around them,” Darrel Guy a director at the Boys and Girls Club of New Orleans told USA Today recently. “They’ve given this city hope.
Payton’s Play It Forward Foundation — which he runs with wife Beth — raises money and awareness for disadvantaged families . He helps fund a food bank. And he invites children who lost everything in Katrina to his team’s Friday practices, a move that helps set a tone for the rest of the organization.
He’s assisted by several other Saints coaches from Miami’s Cradle. They include:
— Aaron Kromer — The offensive line and running game coach — whose digital video library of nearly every play run in the NFL each season is praised around the league and credited for much of the Saints success — was an offensive tackle for Miami in the late 1980s and twice was named team captain. He then coached at his alma matter — tight ends, H backs, offensive line — from 1990 to 1998.
By the way, the guy he credits for much of his successful is Jon Gruden — the former University of Dayton quarterback — who made Kromer an integral part of his staff when he was the head coach of the Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay.
— Bret Ingalls — The Saints running backs coach mentored tackles and tight ends at Miami in 2005.
— Dan Dalrymple — The Saints strength and conditioning coach was a two-time, first team All MAC offensive lineman for Miami, was the team captain and has been enshrined in the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. After graduation, he spent 17 seasons at Miami where he built the conditioning program for all of the school’s athletes. In 2003 he also was named one of Miami’s assistant athletic directors.
— Mike Mallory — An assistant special teams coach with the Saints, he is the son of Bill Mallory/
By the way, the Dayton Flyers have a connection to the Saints:
— Joe Lombardi — The grandson of the legendary Vince Lombardi is the Saints quarterbacks coach. He started his coaching career at UD, where he was he defensive line coach for Mike Kelly from 1996 to 1998.
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By Judith Blackburn Epley
February 4, 2010 3:02 PM | Link to this
Perhaps you might mention our father, George Blackburn,who coached at Miamiin the 1940’s.The Redskins won The Sun Bowl when he was head coach.He went on to the University of Cincinnati as backfield coach,West Point as backfield coach,Cincinnati as head coach,University of Virgina as offensive coordinator and head coach.He was named ACC Coach of the Year
By Charlie Brown, Miami 1953
February 3, 2010 9:18 PM | Link to this
A couple more coaches you can add to your list from my era at Miami: Carmen Cozza, long-time AD at Yale; Clive Rush, John McKay of the 49ers, Jim Root at Toledo. Carm was on the same baseball team with Bo, (I was a student manager), and John, Clive and Jim were all in my freshman dorm. Charlie Brown
By Erik Grunwald '81
February 3, 2010 4:00 PM | Link to this
Who Dat? Having attended many Saints games during the early 80’s it’s great to see them in the big show with help form our “cradle of coaches”!
By Jonas Dominique
February 3, 2010 2:02 PM | Link to this
As one of the only New Orleans students at Miami University, let alone probably the only Louisiana native if not one of few, it’d be nice if come Superbowl time, I’d have more Miami fans helping me cheer on the former redhawk coaches turned Saints!
By Bull
January 26, 2010 11:26 AM | Link to this
Hey Alonzo - tell us again how Payton hit a hat from 35 yards out with a football - amazing, I bet.
By Mike Pearson
January 26, 2010 9:52 AM | Link to this
There’s one MORE former RedHawk on the New Orleans staff. Charles Byrd, a football graduate assistant during the 2007 season and a former star at Oxford’s Talawanda High School, serves as the Saints’ strength and conditioning assistant.
By Alonzo H. Edmonds
January 26, 2010 9:07 AM | Link to this
I had the opportunity to play for Payton, Dalrymple, and Kromer @ Miami (OH)…they are still down to earth people…best story…one day after practice Coach Payton told a teammate to hold up his hat…35 yrds away Payton threw the football so accurately that it hit the hat flush…best thowing exhibition ever.
By yeahright
January 25, 2010 4:27 PM | Link to this
haywood - yeah right. I do not see that happening - ever. This guy was a poor asst. coach at ND and a worse head coach. look at his assistants. Payton would have never been given a job by Haywood - too yound, too much competiton. Mallory at N.O. should have had the Miami U job but I guess he is much better off !
By NB
January 25, 2010 3:41 PM | Link to this
The Miami Valley is very proud of the Miami connection. Hopefully, Coach Haywood will join that group some day.
By Alonzo Edmonds
January 25, 2010 3:20 PM | Link to this
I had the good fortune to be coached by Kromer, Dalrymple,and Payton…Best story, at a distance of 35 yrds Payton told a teammate to extend his arm with his hat held at the end…Payton took a football tossed it threw the hat we all looked on in shock and awe…Saints by 14.