NFL coach search news, January 6th: Sean Payton stays put, Lovie Smith fired

It was a quiet day for the 49ers on Wednesday's Coach Watch. Well, at least for any 49er interviews or hires. There is one big announcement and one potential "candidate" off the table. With one candidate gone, a new one rises, as well as a new vacancy.

The Connections:

The Saints this morning opened the floodgates by pushing back their press conference again, from 11:00 PST to 12:00 PST. Tweets then were thumbed out stating the obvious: deliberations were ongoing.

The press conference then dropped the bomb: Sean Payton is staying with the Saints.

"This is where I plan on coaching, I don't envision myself coaching for any other club." Payton said.

That pretty much eliminates Sean Payton from  taking the San Francisco head coaching role. There are still several good candidates out there, and these candidates won't require draft picks. If that isn't enough, it could be a heck of a lot worse.

Hue Jackson has been scheduled to meet with the 49ers on Sunday as well as the  Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins. Just to restate it, if the Bengals lose on Saturday (yes, there is a game on Saturday), then Jackson is available to interview whenever. If the Bengals win, Jackson can only interview on days dictated by the Bengals organization, and those days can only happen next week. After that week, Jackson cannot be interviewed, until much later. The question is are the 49ers willing to wait to make their coaching hire?

Chip Kelly's camp expressed interest in the 49ers job, but we still  haven't heard much more since the reports on Monday. However, he's apparently sitting at best odds to get the job according to bovada.lv.

Lovie Smith Fired:

As reported moments earlier, Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith has been fired. Details are scarce, but the players are taking to Twitter to voice their frustration. Add Tampa Bay to the list of vacancies in what already is a competitive coaching market. You can also add the Buccaneers to the Hue Jackson sweepstakes. As for Lovie Smith? It's too early to consider him a candidate and the rumors suggest the 49ers are looking more for offense-oriented head coaches. At this point though, it's been quiet in San Francisco.

Up for Interviews:

Anthony Lynn is scheduled for Thursday in New York.

Mike Shanahan is scheduled at some point.

Other Candidates:

Mike Holmgren is still waiting for an interview after expressing interest...

Coach Tracker:

Doug Marrone is scheduled to meet with the Browns and the Dolphins, per Rand Getlin. Marrone's last stint as head coach was in Buffalo and he opted out of his contract.

Jerome Henderson, backfield coach of the Dallas Cowboys will interview with the Browns, per Ed Werder

Giants offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo will interview with the Philadelphia Eagles as well as the New York Giants

Adam Gase has met with the Browns today. He will meet with the Dolphins tomorrow. Jason La Canfora says the Dolphins will be making a strong push for the Bears offensive coordinator. Gase has the Giants on Friday and a 2nd interview with the Eagles planned per Rand Getlin.

Vacancies:

• San Francisco
  
• Cleveland
• Miami
• Philadelphia
• New York
  
• Tennessee

• *NEW* Tampa Bay