Home Team: Coaching the Saints and New Orleans Back to Life

by Sean Payton, Ellis Henican

The New York Times bestseller that's "heaven in hardcover" (New Orleans Times-Picayune) for Saints fans. In the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, no symbol of disaster was more potent than New Orleans' it became a horrific shelter of last resort where the utterly desperate rode out the storm. Four years later, in that very stadium, the New Orleans Saints won the NFC championship and earned their first-ever trip to the Super Bowl, where they defeated the favored Indianapolis Colts 31-17. This is the inspirational true story of a city recovering from disaster and a team with a history of heartbreak, as seen through the eyes of the coach who would help elevate them both to long- forgotten greatness.

Genres: Sports, Football, Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Autobiography, History

314 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 29, 2010

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sean Payton describes how he went about rebuilding the NOS in the midst of the devastation left by Hurricane Katrina. Some very important lessons on how a professional sports team can 'team-up' with the community during times of adversity. A very good book to read if you are a new manager trying to build a team you can rely on.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forget the Cowboys, I love the Saints

[Barry Martin Vass · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most inspirational sports books I've ever read. Imagine: It's January 2006, four months after Hurricane Katrina laid waste to the Gulf Coast, and Sean Payton flies into New Orleans to interview for the head coaching job of the New Orleans Saints. The airport is empty; his is the only plane on the tarmac. The area is as desolated as he has ever seen. The Superdome, where the team plays its home games, has been trashed and is undergoing a $192 million retrofit. Last year's team, which went 3-13, played all of their "home games" in San Antonio, Baton Rouge, and East Rutherford, New Jersey, is in complete disarray. Is this a challenge he wants to take on? Will his wife go along with this? How will he get a new quarterback? Sean Payton signs on for his first NFL head coaching job, moves to New Orleans, accepts the challenges of his new job and environment, gives back to the community, and, with incredible tenacity, brings the team back and contributes mightily to the rebuilding effort. Four years later the Saints win the Super Bowl. If you're into sports, this is a great story of will and perseverance.

[Matt Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Home team is written by New Orleans Saints' head coach and his 2006 Super Bowl winning season. When Peyton first took the job as head coach, he new he had a lot of work to do. With hurricane Katrina hitting New Orleans hard, the city was just getting back on its feet and then to come in to coach your first team in the NFL while most people in the city are still without a home is not an easy task. Peyton knows he has a long road ahead of him if he wants to lead this team to a super bowl championship, little does he know, his dreams of this might just come true. He made it clear on the first day on the job that this season was going to be different and that they were no longer going to be a losing team. The way he worked with the players and the way he and his staff strategically made moves for the better of the team was truly amazing. He got the best out of every player, worked them the hardest they've ever worked before because he knew they could do it. They're hard work paid off. They went thirteen and three that season, ( wins and losses) because he saw the potential in the team even after all the players and their families have been through. Next thing you know they're playing in the NFC championship for the first time in franchise history. This is a great book for anyone who likes sports autobiographies or sports books. I rated this book four out of five stars because it is one of the best sports books I've ever read.

[Timothy Kisare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Home Team
By: Sean Payton
Pages: 295
Genre: Non-fiction

Home Team is a book written by Sean Payton, head coach of the NFL's New Orleans Saints themselves. In summary, before Sean Payton had come to the Big Easy, the "Saints" weren't exactly...saints. The pre-Sean Payton era was a completely mess. From the Saints inception in 1967 until 1987, they weren't even competitive: for those 20 years they never had a winning season, and only managed to finish with as many wins as losses twice. This is a record that is yet to be broken albeit, one that SHOULDN'T be beaten. But there were some bright moments though. In '87, the Saints managed to make it to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. Even then, they never won a playoff game until 2000. This was against the St. Louis Rams in the division playoff game, which sent the Saints to a first NFC Championship Game which they ultimately lost. Surprisingly, this wasn't during the Sean Payton era. When Sean Payton took over the job in 2006, the previous year had been one of tragedies. On August 29th, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana, killing over 1,000 people and leaving the Saints without a stadium for nearly the entire 2005 season. This left many fans without hope. But when Sean Payton came, he said he was "ready to bring a change to the Big Easy." He admitted that he felt like he was under a lot of pressure to succeed, but he was ready. Pre-season football in 2006: Payton was ready. He worked hard on disciplining the players, keeping their hopes up and getting the team ready for a fresh new start. "It took a lot of work, but in the end, I knew it'd be worth it" he exclaimed. That season was a special one: the Saints finished with an excellent 10-6 record, much improved on last years 3-13 record without Payton. They made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game. They lost to the Chicago Bears, but the season left many fans excited. "Even though we lost that game, it made me feel very good. It made me feel like I could accomplish even more. I was very happy with that season and I have my eyes on a bigger prize: the Super Bowl" he said. This goal would be accomplished: 3 years later the Saints ended the 2009 season with a franchise-record 13 wins, and proceeded to win the Super Bowl against the 14-2 Indianapolis Colts by a score of 31-17. Payton would later go on to say following the win: "to all the fans who beared through those rough times and extreme lows, I'd like to say that after 42 years of suffering, here is your first Super Bowl!" Ever since then, Payton has had a franchise best 67 wins and 32 losses in his 5 years at head coach.


Home Team is another one of those great non-fiction narratives on sports. What made me intrigued to get this book was that this book was written and narrated by an NFL coach himself (Sean Payton). I thought it'd be really cool if I could see Sean Payton's experiences as a head coach from his own point of view, so I decided to choose this as my non-fiction book for the quarter. Boy, I didn't know what I had just gotten myself into! The story was very crisp, with the coach expressing his feelings and experiences in the best way possible. What really got me into the book was the coach's attitude toward starting a season. It was so straightfoward, and yet he led his team to a cinderella story...twice! Because of these reasons, I'm giving this book a 5 out of 5 stars. BUT, if this wasn't narrated by the coach himself, I probably would've rated this lower (maybe even as low as a 3 out of 5 stars!) because I would want the most accurate info possible. And what more to ask then to have the coach describe the events, who probably knew and remembered every single thing that happened during his tenure? I would only reccomend this non-fiction book for people 11 and up, as it's somewhat a hard book to follow with the amount of pages and I'd reccomend this book for people who like sports and want some more info from the game from a certain person's perspective.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I downloaded this book as well as Drew Brees' book onto my Barnes and Noble Nook shortly before my July book ban. I devoured them both with in a couple days...But since I've been in sort of a "funk" about posting reviews lately I hadn't posted the review for this great book yet. Thank goodness I wrote it out long hand so I would know what to say when I finally got my "stuff" together and started posting reviews again!

As I said in the review of Drew's book I'm not really a Saints fan...I'm a Steelers fan really. But the "Who Dat Nation" is kind of a Cinderella story. I mean we are talking about a team and a city that came back from one of the worst natural disasters yet (oh yeah, remember how everyone BUT the government was there right away?!) to become Super Bowl Champions!

This book is VERY inspiring. Coach Payton talks about coming from to the NFL from the College ranks to work with some of the best coaches in the NFL (Bill Parcells to name 1) to going out looking for his first Head Coaching position (I don't want to burst any bubbles here but he does mention that he REALLY wanted the Packers Head Coaching position...I'm from WI and about 1% Packer fan). He didn't really want to come to New Orleans but once he saw that the organization had his back if he had theirs that's how this Cinderella story begins.

Coach Payton also talks about trying to rebuild a complete coaching staff too. Some of the coaching staff hadn't been working in the NFL until Coach Payton called them up. Then once they got the staff figured out...it was time to work on the team itself....To become winners again...who knew that in a few short years they'd be going to the Super Bowl? Did you know that Reggie Bush had his "people" tell the Saints "No" the year they drafted him....The Saints told his "people" screw you and drafted him anyway. Now he's a Super Bowl Champion.

There is also a lot of mention of the devastation and the re-building process mentioned in the book too. What really surprised me was how involved the team got with the re-building efforts. And also how "accessible" the team is to the rest of the population of New Orleans.

Overall, this book is a emotional book full of the Highest high's and the Lowest lows. I would recommend this book to anyone really. Read IT! You don't even need to be a Saints fan to enjoy it!

[Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was everything a sports autobiography should be. The book is loaded with behind the scenes information on how Payton begrudgingly became the coach of New Orleans, took a chance on quarterback Drew Brees when no other coach would, and eventually led the team to its first ever Super Bowl.

Payton lets you share the anger with him as the agent of Reggie Bush calls to tell him not to draft his client, and you feel the anxiety as he calls the now-legendary onside kick to start the second half of the Super Bowl.

Along the way you journey with Payton through the rebuilding of a football team and its hurricane-ravaged city. One of the highlights is the team's emotion-filled return to the Super Dome and the inventive way that Payton motivated his team to win the game for the residents.

If you've ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of an NFL franchise, specifically during a Super Bowl run, then you'll love this book.

Five stars without any hesitation.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though I'm not a Saints fan, I really enjoyed this book. I read Drew Brees' book a few months ago and it was interesting to hear some of the same stories from the other side.

Sean Payton seems like your average guy-next-door who just happens to have his face on TV and makes a lot of money coaching a pro football team. He really cares about those around him and had a lot stacked against him. It was easy to see how the team bonded together with the coaches and management they had. Team management often gets a bad rap but the after reading this book, I really have a great respect for the entire team (players, coaches, front office) that Tom Benson, Mickey Loomis and Sean Payton put together.

A great read for any football fan so matter where your loyalties lie!

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book Home Team was a very good, inspirational and interesting book. I would encourage people to read this book. The book Home Team was a very inspirational story about Sean Peyton turning the losing saints into Super Bowl Champions. The book does a great job describing the journey, the obstacles they went through, and all the hard work it took to go from the bottom to the top. It also explained what they did to have better team chemistry. It did such a good job describing it that I felt like I was with the saints winning and celebrating the Super Bowl win that revived the city of New Orleans.

[Morgan Crosman · Rating 5 out of 5]

After hurricane Katrina the city of New Orleans was devastated. They needed something to rally around and forget just for a moment that tragic hurricane. That's exactly what the saints brought to the table. This book tells the story of a quarter back coming out of college, and realizing that he isn't the greatest player. To then turning to becoming a coach. But it also tells the story about a city, reunited by its beloved Saints. Considered under dogs the saints marched into Super Bowl XLVI defeating the 14-2 Colts 31-17. To bring joy to the broken hearts of the people of New Orleans, and to forget for one moment, that tragic day.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a die-hard Saints fan, I expected to like this book but I have to say I was surprised by just how much I really enjoyed reading it. Some of the stories have been told before in interviews and news articles, but it was fascinating and exciting to get the behind-the-scenes look at the last few seasons, especially the Super Bowl and the run leading up to that victory. Payton thinks outside the box and is creative and obviously effective as a motivating voice for the team. I liked him and appreciated his coaching skills before but now I am even more thrilled that he is leading my team.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really enjoyable read. As a long time fan of the Saints, the Saints under Sean Payton really are a different team. There were years under Jim Mora when the beginnings of a winning tradition began to develop, but never was the swagger and surety of this team. Even in the Mora era you could find yourself thinking, "the Saints are gonna lose this one." But in the Payton era, you have to think in pretty much every game, "you know, the Saints could win this one."

What an incredible four years it has been and what a job Payton and his crew have done to turn this team around.

[Jenae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Think of it as the literary equivalent to sitting out on the porch in a couple of rocking chairs with Sean Payton for a few hours. You know how the story ends, but along the way you get so much more detail about the man, his history, and the team's journey from New Orleans in 2006 to Miami in 2010. The narrative tone is excellent; whether credit is due to the editor or the author, I don't know and don't care. It's a very good read for anyone wanting a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the Saints and a fond reminiscence of that fabulous February.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great. It started with how Sean got into coaching then discussed the Saints and how the came back after Katrina through the Super Bowl. It was neat because I remembered a lot of the games Sean talked about. And of course, I am a HUGE Saints fan. Sean seems like a really neat and down-to-earth guy. I can see why Drew Brees accepted that position and has stayed there. Can't wait to read Drew's book -- hopefully someone got it for me for my birthday...

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was very interesting to read the road that led Sean Payton to becoming the head coach of the Saints, and the things he learned along the way, the decisions and tactics he used in training up a Super Bowl winning team. While the language is salty at times, I really enjoyed this book. I don't think it's a spoiler to say that the book is framed by the Lombardi Gras parade, which I found both poetic and perfect.

[Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man, this book was so touching to read. Most of the imagery of post Katrina New Orleans and reading about the 2006 was enough to bring tears to my eyes. That said, there are times when it seemed repetitive though. I really enjoyed reading it because I felt like I was getting to know coach better than just seeing him on the sidelines and watching his post game press. Great book to read for any Saints fan!

[Bruce Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though is was simply written and extremely easy to read, Payton really hits the spot in this bio and years in New Orleans, culminating in the Super Bowl. When the reader gets emotional several spots during the book, you know the author really did a good job. He also provides much inside information on the inner workings of an NFL organization and the planning and event orchestration needed at the Championship level.

[Chris Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read. It was like sitting there listening to Sean Payton tell the story of how he decided to come to New Orleans all the way through the Super Bowl. Great insight into what it was like all the way down to how he had to decide to move his family down into New Orleans after Katrina to bringing them up onto the podium after the Super Bowl win.

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read on the remaking of the saints through the eyes of their head coach. He is quite creative is his motivational techniques for the team. Paint ball wars, taking them to a water slide park during training camp, and lastly, the psychology behind super bowl week. Not just on the field, but off the field.
Not much x's and o's but rather the journey.

[Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book because it talked about how the Saints as a team made it through years of work and finally won a superbowl. The author being the coach told about what he and the team would do day after day for practice in such. This book was a very informational book about how to achieve your goals

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for my birthday and kept putting off reading it. I assumed that it would be a "rushed to market" memoir. However, I really enjoyed hearing the behind the scene stories and history of his career. Of course, it helps if you're a big Saints fan.

[Marylin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must, along with Drew Brees's book, for all Saints fans! Not spectacular, but a good read and fills in a lots of gaps with stuff you didn't know. Who would have thought I'd ever read a book, or two, about football? You never know!

[RICK "SHAQ" GOLDSTEIN · Rating 5 out of 5]

RICK “SHAQ” GOLDSTEIN SAYS: “AN AMAZING SYMBOL OF A DUAL TRIUMPH OVER ADVERSITY… THE NFL SAINTS & THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS!”
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The whole world is well aware of the horror of Hurricane Katrina and due to the NFL’s international appeal the whole world also knows about the New Orleans Saints winning Super Bowl XLIV in 2010. Because of the constant exposure of these two monumental events, I had first hesitated to buy this book… because I had watched the game… watched the news… read the papers… and I’m a sports fanatic… so I figured how many different ways can someone describe the same game… the same victory parade… and the same monumental havoc caused by Mother Nature? Man! Was I pleasantly surprised when I read this book. Saints coach Sean Payton traces his life from the emotional high… high atop a float in a Mardi-Gras-like victory parade before EIGHT-HUNDRED-THOUSAND-FANS-IN-NEW-ORLEANS back to his roots with not only an “everyman” type dialogue… but even more amazingly Sean delivers a no-holds-barred look behind the scenes at some of the sports well known individuals.

An example of his “everyman” approach… with all the varnish removed as he cast political correctness to the wind… is demonstrated very early on as the Super Bowl victory parade was in full swing when Sean writes: “I WAS SEVEN BUD LIGHTS IN. IT WAS MY TURN TO GREET THE MAYOR. MY WIFE SQUEEZED MY WRIST AND SAID,” CONTROL YOURSELF HONEY.” The reader is taken from his college ball to short stints in “pro ball” in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Arena Football League that lasted as long as an average blink of the eye. His attempts to make coaching a career had him bouncing around like an out of control pin-ball machine. From graduate assistant-to assistant-to-position-coach from one side of the country to the next. He worked with coaches such as Jon Gruden, Bill Callahan, his most cherished mentor Bill Parcells, and Jim Fassel among others. Payton’s tell-it-like-it-is-shoot-straight-from-the-chest-honesty is never more apparent than when he was an assistant and called the plays under New York Giant Head Coach Jim Fassel. The Giants got the ball back with a few seconds left in the first half in a game against the Cardinals and Sean wanted to just “take a knee” and end the half. Fassel overruled him after asking Sean more than once and Sean steadfastly said he wanted to down the ball and end the half. Fassel instead called a pass play that was intercepted and returned for a game-tying touchdown. After the game Fassel blamed Sean for the call to the media. Sean confronted Fassel “mano- y- mano”: “UH, COACH,” “WHOEVER TAKES THE BLAME FOR THAT CALL IS UNIMPORTANT TO ME. BUT YOU KNOW THAT WHEN WE DISCUSSED IT ON THE SIDELINE, I SAID, “WE SHOULD TAKE A KNEE.” That season was Payton’s last with the Giants. When Payton took over the Saints he made it clear that he was installing new goals and expectations. Some notable players didn’t seem to “get” the message. “DONTE’ STALLWORTH, THE SAINTS FIRST ROUND DRAFT PICK IN 2002 AND THIRTEENTH OVERALL THAT YEAR, SHOWED UP LATE FOR MANDATORY TEAM MEETINGS MORE THAN ONCE. I HAD A WORD WITH DONTE’ AFTER THE SECOND TIME.” I’M DYING TO TRADE OR CUT YOU, I TOLD HIM”. “.YOU’RE MAKING IT EASY FOR ME.” “HE WAS A SLACKER. IN THIS NEW SAINTS OFFENSE, SOMEONE WHO WAS UNRELIABLE WOULD HAVE A HARD TIME FITTING IN.” “DEFENSIVE TACKLE JONATHAN SULLIVAN WAS ANOTHER PLAYER WHO SHOWED UP ON THE RADAR-AND NOT IN A GOOD WAY. HE TOO WAS A FIRST-ROUND PICK, SIXTH OVERALL. HE WAS OVERWEIGHT NOW AND DIDN’T SEEM EAGER TO EXPEND MUCH EXTRA EFFORT.”

*BOTH PLAYERS WERE SOON ON OTHER ROSTERS.*

There is a chapter on Sean’s interview for a head coaching position with the reclusive… mysterious… Hall Of Fame Legend… Oakland Raiders owner, Al Davis… that is absolutely a classic. From Al’s constant habit of changing topics faster than Larry King changes wives… to his less than impressive choice of dinner. Where other potential employers wined and dined Sean in the fanciest restaurants… Mr. Davis eschewed such class establishments and instead sent an aid out for ten McDonald’s kid’s meal cheeseburgers and coleslaw from KFC. And for what it’s worth Sean makes sure to let you know that despite the Super Bowl rings on Al’s fingers… he was a sloppy eater.

There are countless insider tales such as these along with many “cold-ones” being thrown back. Along the way it’s refreshing to read about all the motivational tools that Payton uses during training both before and during the season. Everything from paint ball wars… to water park contests… to Bill Belichick imitations… to charitable causes that brings tears to the players and coaches eyes. And of course the comeback of a team and a city. No football fan… regardless of your favorite team… will ever think the same way about Coach Sean Payton after reading this book!

[Brady Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick and easy read. Sean Payton is one of the most entertaining and petty coaches in the history of professional sports. Seeing his perspective and the lessons he learned early in his career are pretty inspirational honestly. What he and his team of coaches and players pulled off and the heights and relevance they brought to one of the historically worst franchises in the league is practically a miracle. Now we just need a book on Bountygate and the other wild things that were happening behind the scenes in Payton's tenure in NOLA.

[steven souder · Rating 4 out of 5]

( Love Sports)

Every jock 'dream , Dreamed of
playing pro football, only thing that kept me from it was lack of speed, and talent. Great inside look at what it takes to put all the pieces of the puzzle together.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book about the transformation of the city of New Orleans. I'm not a Saints fan but I admire Sean Payton, Drew Brees, and Mickey Loomis. What they did for this city will never be forgotten...

[Tyler Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

The reason I’m a Saints fan

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. It was just okay. The whole book seemed like a real rush job. I was hoping for something more substantial and in-depth (like John Feinstein's Next Man Up), but the entire book was breezy and feel-good. Recommended for New Orleans Saints fans or anyone who really responds to the whole 'Triumph of the Human Spirit' vibe, but there's very little substance here for football addicts.

[Beth Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Neither Payton, nor his writer, are very good story tellers. However, it was still very interesting to find out the details that lead Payton to join the Saints organization, as well as the fun little tidbits about the Superbowl experience none of us hear through other channels. If this were a movie, I would say, wait until it comes out as a rental. Borrow it.

[Owana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never really been into biographies, but at least this was an easy read with short chapters and not bogged down with a lot of detail. Short and sweet- this is what they were trying to do, this is what they did, this is what they were thinking. And there are some great behind the scenes stories, like a water park and paintball fight.