Darren Rizzi is 1-0 as the (interim) head coach of the New Orleans Saints. However, the 54-year-old did not expect to win his debut after clogging the toilet upon arrival to the Superdome on Sunday morning.
He thought it was going to be a “crappy day.”
Rizzi was hired by Sean Payton in 2019. Dennis Allen kept him on staff for each of the last two seasons and even gave him the title of ‘Assistant Head Coach.’
As a result, when Allen was fired earlier this week, Rizzi was named as the interim. Saints players were complimentary of what he had already done for the team. They sounded like they were ready to run through a wall for their new leader.
Tyrann Mathieu on interim head coach Darren Rizzi
— NOF (@nofnetwork) November 4, 2024
📺: https://t.co/kkoyg2iDbX pic.twitter.com/yLFqRFS0cb
It’s not hard to see why Rizzi is so beloved in the Big Easy. He wears his emotions on his sleeve and will go to war for his players.
Rizzi was furious with officials over a missed penalty early in the first quarter.
Darren Rizzi losing his mind on the sideline pic.twitter.com/KJT9og4VjS
— Boot Krewe Media (@BootKreweMedia) November 10, 2024
It was not hard to figure out how he was feeling after the Falcons missed a field goal before halftime.
NO GOOD.#EasyToCelebrate | @budlight pic.twitter.com/z58sxPLoQm
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 10, 2024
New Orleans ultimately beat Atlanta by three in a hard-fought, defensive game and Rizzi was fired up. As were the players.
full clip:
— Trace (@yfntrace) November 10, 2024
payton turner pushes darren rizzi in the back, rizzi seems to have a hard time standing afterwards. they talk and then hug it out pic.twitter.com/HOfNXUpF1a
The crowd gave him a raucous standing ovation while he made his way off of the field.
Rizzin to a #Saints win 🙌 pic.twitter.com/7STR5EF579
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 10, 2024
Fans at home watched the video of Rizzi during his postgame celebration and noticed that he might’ve suffered an injury. They were right, kind of.
Rizzi has a history of stingers so his arm went numb!
darren rizzi explains what happened after the game 😂 pic.twitter.com/oFGVXEEbo8
— Trace (@yfntrace) November 10, 2024
Darren Rizzi was very candid while he stood at the podium following his first win as an NFL head coach. Perhaps to a fault.
The 14-year NFL special teams coordinator never got the opportunity to use the head coach’s bathroom prior to Sunday monday. He finally got the opportunity to do so upon arrival to the Superdome and immediately clogged the toilet.
MUST WATCH!!!!!
— Fletcher Mackel (@FletcherWDSU) November 10, 2024
Darren Rizzi: insightful, informative and very real!
The #Saints interim head coach with a no B.S. glimpse into how his day started in the Superdome.
How can you not love this guy!!!!! pic.twitter.com/QrBjLjhMB2
Rizzi expected his unfortunate start to the day to be a bad omen for the game. Rather, it was the opposite. He must now clog the toilet prior to every single game if he wants to keep winning!