Saints Nation: Aaron Kromer as Interim Head Coach Was the Only Choice

When the Saints designated Aaron Kromer as the replacement head coach for Joe Vitt for the first six games of the season last night, it came to the surprise of almost no one. He had long been rumored as a viable candidate alongside Pete Carmichael Jr., Steve Spagnuolo and Greg McMahon. But Kromer has long been favored as the most likely and I echoed the prediction that he would be in charge throughout. It’s pretty simple in the end: having Kromer run the show is in keeping with Joe Vitt handling business while Sean Payton was out. There is no question Peter Carmichael Jr. and Steve Spagnuolo have the most important coaching roles on the team right now. So important, in fact, that the Saints want them singularly focused on what they do. It’s not that they weren’t capable of handling head coaching duties, it’s that their undivided attention on their current roles was too critical to sacrifice. To make either head coach was a distraction. Carmichael is the lone signal caller on offense and he’s got a gameplan to design each week. While Sean Payton has handled that duty himself while managing head coaching duties, Carmichael isn’t as outspoken and commanding. Carmichael will do a fantastic job as offensive coordinator, I have zero doubts about that. While Spagnuolo could possibly have handled the job with his experience, he’s installing a new defense and this is his first year with the team. A team that’s Sean Payton’s. They were never going to let him put a different print on the team, he was brought in the transform the defense. Mickey Loomis summed it up perfect in one sentence: “Ultimately, I wanted to have the least amount of change with both the offensive and defensive staffs, and maintain the most continuity with the program that has been in place for the last six years.”

So who is Aaron Kromer?

Kromer is a guy the Saints respect a great deal as he’s transformed their offensive line from decent to elite. His transition to head coach will be more seamless because he can trust that the veteran offensive line group of players can take care of themselves for the most part. The Saints are also in a good position with the offensive line as they have Frank Smith on staff who can step in as the offensive line coach (was the assistant offensive line coach). He’s been with the team since 2010 so it’s a smooth transition taking over Kromer’s vacated place. Kromer has been with the Saints since 2008 and during his time as offensive line coach he’s sent 5 Saints blockers to the Pro Bowl. That includes Jon Stinchcomb and Jermon Bushrod, players no one ever expected to rise to such notoriety. Kormer has coached the offensive lines at Miami University, Northwestern, the Oakland Raiders, the Tampa Bay Bucs and of course the Saints. This will represent the biggest job he’s ever had of course, but at 46 he’s regarded already as one of the more decorated young assistants in the league. Kromer is best known for his very high attention to detail and for the respect he commands from players in the locker room. This was an obvious choice and really the only choice. I applaud the Saints for making it as I truly felt continuity for Carmichael and Spagnuolo was more important than anything else.