Saints Announce Management Team Restructuring

The Saints announced a “restructured business management team,” as they promoted several employees to fill front office positions vacated this past season, according to Mike Triplett of the New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE. Saints exec Rita Benson LeBlanc will assume the role of Exec VP/Administration, which was held by Arnold Fielkow before he was fired on October 17. LeBlanc, the granddaughter of Saints Owner Tom Benson, “will serve as the top senior management official” as part of her increased role with the franchise. Benson has stated that he “hopes to one day pass his ownership of the team to LeBlanc.” Saints Dir of Corporate Partnerships, Broadcasting & Business/Marketing Operations Ben Hales was named VP/Marketing & Business Development, taking the responsibilities held by Senior Dir Connie Kowal before he resigned on October 18. Other promotions include VP & CFO Dennis Lauscha to Senior VP, General Counsel Vicky Neumeyer to VP and Ticket Sales Dir Mike Stanfield to VP/Ticket & Suite Sales (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 1/11).

CALLING FOR WILLIAMS: The AP reported the New Orleans City Council Monday unanimously passed a resolution “calling on the Saints to hire Doug Williams” as their next coach. The resolution urges Benson and GM Mickey Loomis to give “strong consideration to naming Louisiana’s own [Williams] as the Saints head coach or as a high level administrator within the Saints organization.” Williams, who currently works in the Buccaneers’ personnel department, was the coach at Grambling State Univ. from ’98-’03 (AP, 1/10).