The coach responsible for the greatest stretch in New Orleans Saints history has stepped away. Sean Payton made that announcement Tuesday, refusing to call it a retirement but confirming that he won't be coaching the Saints for a 16th season in 2022. It's a monumental day in Saints history, saying good-bye to the man who came in just months after Hurricane Katrina and rebuilt the franchise while New Orleans rebuilt itself. Four years later, he had brought a Super Bowl championship to the city, and along the way, he's made the Saints one of the NFL's most respected franchises. Our staff has been there every step of the way, and that includes Tuesday, when we published 17 stories or videos to cover Payton's exit. They include a look back at his tenure: • Sheldon Mickles, The Advocate's Saints beat writer when Payton arrived in 2006, writes about how Saints general manager Mickey Loomis "took a chance" on a young Cowboys assistant. • We also have plenty of ways to remember Payton's time with the Saints. They include a picture gallery from our award-winning photography staff and a timeline of his tenure. • For the more numerically inclined, check out 10 numbers to know about Payton's career and also a look at how he did at home and away and as a favorite and underdog over at Bet.NOLA.com. We also had plenty from what happened Tuesday, including the full video of Payton's good-bye news conference: • In our main story from the good-bye, Luke Johnson writes about how Payton "feels good" in this moment even though he's not sure what's next. • Amie Just gives insight about the timing of the move, and why Payton chose this year to step away. • Jeff Duncan has a column about the enormity of the moment, and why Payton is a name New Orleans will never forget. • We also have some snippets from Payton's comments, including his ode to the TV show "Ted Lasso" and a snarky nod to Eli Apple's bashing of New Orleans. • Here's a compilation of reactions from Payton's former and current players to the news. As for the ghost of Saints future, we're all over the next steps ahead: • Rod Walker says thanks to Payton — who somehow managed not to cry Tuesday, thanks to a trick he learned on the internet — the next coach will have higher expectations but also an easier job because of the Saints' established culture. • As for Payton himself, he's not sure what's next. TV? Coaching again down the road? It's all on the table. • The Saints' coaching search will dominate this space until it's done, of course. Gayle Benson said the team will conduct a thorough search. But it won't be easy. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, considered one of the leading candidates, was scheduled to interview with the Chicago Bears on Tuesday. Of course, we'll be with you every step of the way to cover the coaching search and the rest of a monumental offseason like no one else can. If you're a subscriber, thank you for supporting our coverage. If not, this is a great time to become one: You can get six months of access to NOLA.com and TheAdvocate.com for just $1. Until next time, Zach Ewing | 
