Sean Payton

Awards & Honours

Awards Won

Honours

Records

Sean Payton's coaching career is defined by Super Bowl glory and offensive innovation. He transformed the New Orleans Saints from perennial losers into champions, leading the franchise to its first Super Bowl victory in Super Bowl XLIV. His teams led the NFL in yards per game six times, a testament to his creative play-calling. Payton is one of only eight head coaches to defeat all 32 NFL teams, a feat he achieved in 2023. He holds the Saints record for most wins (152 regular season, 9 playoff) and was named AP NFL Coach of the Year in 2006. His influence extends through a coaching tree that produced five NFL head coaches.

AwardsPayton won AP NFL Coach of the Year in 2006 after turning around the Saints. He led the team to a Super Bowl XLIV championship in 2009, earning an NFC Championship. He has seven NFC South division titles and was a Pro Bowl head coach. In college, he was a three-time AP All-American. He was inducted into the Eastern Illinois University Hall of Fame in 2000 and received an honorary doctorate from the same institution in 2013.

Honours & Distinctions

Eastern Illinois University Hall of Fame

Eastern Illinois University·2000

Inducted for his playing career as a quarterback.

Jersey Number 18 Retired

Eastern Illinois University·2010

His number 18 was retired by the university.

Honorary Doctorate

Eastern Illinois University·2013

Received an honorary doctorate from his alma mater.

Records & Feats

Most wins by a Saints head coach

Career Milestone·2021

Payton holds the franchise record for regular season wins (152) and playoff wins (9) for the New Orleans Saints.

Eighth head coach to defeat all 32 NFL teams

Historic First·2023

In 2023, Payton became the eighth head coach in NFL history to defeat every active franchise.

Most points in first 100 games as a head coach

Career Milestone·2012

Payton's Saints scored 2,804 points in his first 100 games, the most by any team under a coach in that span.