Career Timeline of Sean Payton: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Sean Payton built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Sean Payton is a prominent American football coach, currently the head coach of the Denver Broncos. He's best known for his successful tenure as head coach of the New Orleans Saints from 2006-2021, where he guided the team to their first Super Bowl victory in 2009. Prior to coaching, Payton was a quarterback, playing college football at Eastern Illinois and briefly professionally for the Chicago Bears and the Leicester Panthers in Britain.

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Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1986: Payton Leads Eastern Illinois to Playoffs

In 1986, Sean Payton led the Eastern Illinois Panthers to an 11–2 record and the quarter-finals of the Division I-AA Playoffs.

1987: Payton's Professional Football Debut

In 1987, Sean Payton tried out for the Kansas City Chiefs for one day and played quarterback for the Chicago Bruisers and Pittsburgh Gladiators during the inaugural season of the Arena Football League. He was also a member of the Chicago Bears during the 1987 NFL players strike.

1988: Payton's Coaching Career Begins

In 1988, Sean Payton began his coaching career as an offensive assistant at San Diego State University.

1988: Payton Played for Leicester Panthers

In 1988, Sean Payton played for the Leicester Panthers of the professional UK Budweiser National League, leading them to an 8–5 regular season record and the Quarterfinals of the playoffs.

1996: Payton Coaches at University of Illinois

In 1996, Sean Payton coached quarterback Scott Weaver at the University of Illinois, where Weaver completed 56% of his passes for over 1,700 yards and 7 touchdowns.

1997: Payton Becomes Quarterbacks Coach for Philadelphia Eagles

From 1997 to 1998, Sean Payton was quarterbacks coach for the Philadelphia Eagles, working with offensive coordinator Jon Gruden and offensive line coach Bill Callahan. The Eagles' quarterbacks passed for 4,009 yards in 1997.

1997: Payton Joins Philadelphia Eagles as Quarterbacks Coach

In 1997, Sean Payton landed a job as the quarterbacks coach with the Philadelphia Eagles.

1998: Payton Fired from Eagles

In 1998, Jon Gruden and Bill Callahan left for the Oakland Raiders, and Eagles head coach Ray Rhodes and Sean Payton were fired. Payton would not be retained by new head coach Andy Reid.

1999: Payton Hired by New York Giants

In 1999, Sean Payton was hired as the quarterbacks coach for the New York Giants.

2000: Payton Promoted to Offensive Coordinator

In 2000, Sean Payton was promoted to the role of offensive coordinator for the New York Giants. Under his guidance, the Giants would go on to represent the NFC in Super Bowl XXXV.

2002: Fassel Takes Over Play-Calling Duties

During the 2002 season, after several poor showings by the New York Giants' offense, Sean Payton's role in play-calling was taken over by then head coach Jim Fassel. Under Fassel, the offense improved and propelled the team to a wild-card playoff berth.

2003: Payton Joins Dallas Cowboys Coaching Staff

In 2003, Sean Payton joined Bill Parcells and the Dallas Cowboys as an assistant head coach and a quarterbacks coach. He also is attributed as the primary factor for the team signing undrafted free agent Tony Romo.

2004: Cowboys Give Payton a Raise

In 2004, Sean Payton became a sought-after assistant in the league, so the Dallas Cowboys gave him a pay raise to remain as their assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach.

2005: Payton Promoted to Assistant Head Coach/Passing Game Coordinator

In 2005, Sean Payton was promoted by Bill Parcells to assistant head coach/passing game coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys.

2006: Payton Hired as Saints Head Coach

In 2006, Sean Payton began his first head coaching assignment with the New Orleans Saints and turned the struggling team around, leading them to their first playoff appearance in six years. The Saints won the NFC South with a 10–6 record and earned a first-round playoff bye.

August 5, 2007: Saints Play Hall of Fame Game

On August 5, 2007, the New Orleans Saints and the Pittsburgh Steelers opened the NFL preseason, playing the Hall of Fame Game. The Saints were 3–2 in the preseason, finishing the 2007 season with a 7-9 record.

2009: Saints Win Super Bowl XLIV

In 2009, Sean Payton coached the New Orleans Saints to their most successful season with a 13–3 record, culminating in a 31–17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV, securing the team's first Super Bowl win.

2011: Payton Family Moves to Dallas Area

In 2011, the Payton family moved back to the Dallas area, purchasing a home in the Vacquero Club in Westlake. Rumors circulated about Sean Payton returning to the Cowboys, but these proved false. He maintained a residence in New Orleans during the season while his family lived full-time in Westlake.

March 22, 2012: NFL Suspends Sean Payton

On March 22, 2012, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Sean Payton for the entire 2012 season, effective April 1, due to his involvement in a scheme and misleading the league about it. Goodell was upset that Payton lied about the scheme. The league uncovered an email that was sent to Payton indirectly, in which a joke about betting $5,000 on Aaron Rodgers was mentioned. Payton initially denied reading the email but later admitted to it. Goodell implied that Payton would have faced punishment regardless due to his supervisory role. Payton was faulted for violating league provisions requiring coaches to inform owners about team operations and avoid actions that damage the club's reputation.

March 30, 2012: Payton Appeals Suspension

On March 30, 2012, Sean Payton lodged a formal appeal of his suspension. Goodell held an expedited hearing on the matter and was expected to render a decision in "days, not weeks," according to ESPN's Schefter. Payton also used the hearing as a chance to get clarification on the terms of his ban. Goodell turned the appeal down on April 9, meaning that Payton's suspension was set to begin on April 16.

2015: Payton Hosts Dinner and Gifts Rolex Watches

Shortly before the 2015 season, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Sean Payton hosted a dinner for the four coaches and four players who had been with the Saints since he became head coach, and presented each of them with a Rolex watch.

March 23, 2016: Payton Agrees to Contract Extension

On March 23, 2016, Sean Payton agreed to a new five-year contract extension as head coach of the Saints.

January 2018: Shamarr Allen Dedicates "Hit the Sean Payton" Song

In January 2018, New Orleans musician Shamarr Allen dedicated a song to Sean Payton entitled "Hit the Sean Payton" after seeing a video of Payton dancing with the Saints players.

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January 31, 2023: Payton Accepts Broncos Head Coach Position

On January 31, 2023, Sean Payton reported that he had accepted the position of head coach for the Denver Broncos, and was officially hired three days later. In order to release Payton from his contract with the Saints, the Broncos agreed to trade a 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 second-round pick to the Saints in exchange for Payton and a 2024 third-round pick.