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Sean Payton was introduced Wednesday as the New Orleans Saints' new head coach, inheriting a team that won three games last season and played all its contests on the road because of Hurricane Katrina.

Payton, who is a head coach for the first time, has been a quarterbacks coach for three seasons under Bill Parcells in Dallas. He also held the title of assistant head coach. Before that, he was a New York Giants assistant, a stint that included that team's NFC championship in 2000.

According to NFL Network insider Adam Schefter, Payton was the candidate who most impressed the Saints from the outset. New Orleans also really liked Browns offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon, but in the end, it preferred Payton.

The Saints think they got themselves a coaching star to go along with the star they plan to draft at No. 2.

"I believe we've hired a head coach that has what it takes to bring a championship to this city," general manager Mickey Loomis said at a news conference.

While he insists his personality differs greatly from Parcells', Payton is considered to be an intense, methodical coach who is more substance than style -- something he alluded to during his introductory press conference when he stressed the importance of process and attention to detail.

"I'm not one for fancy speeches or motivational gimmicks," the new coach explained. "I believe in the process; I believe in preparation; I believe in attention to detail -- over and over again."

He went on to suggest there's nothing magical about winning in the NFL. In addition to stressing meticulous preparation and attention to detail, Payton added that he wants a roster stocked with "tough, disciplined and smart players."

As Associated Press sports writer Brett Martel noted, Payton succeeds Jim Haslett, whose tenure lasted six years. The Saints went 3-13 in 2005, but were a .500 team during Haslett's first five seasons combined. The victories include the team's only playoff win.

Payton, the Saints' 14th head coach, acknowledged the problems caused by Katrina -- for the team and the New Orleans area.

"Obviously 2005 was a traumatic year for this area, it was a tough time for this team. I hope that in some small way the effort of this team in 2006 and beyond will represent this city and this region well," Payton said.

In addition to coaching quarterbacks, Payton had a very brief pro playing career at that position in the CFL and as a Chicago Bears replacement player in the 1987 strike season.

Saints running back Deuce McAlister, contacted by telephone Tuesday night, told the New Orleans Times-Picayune he got the impression from Loomis at the end of the season that the Saints might be interested in hiring a young, offensive-minded coach.

"There's pluses and minuses to it," McAlister said of Payton's lack of head coaching experience. "It depends on how well he can adapt to putting in his systems. Obviously, the coaches he surrounds himself with will have a lot to do with it."

Payton's background as an offensive specialist didn't faze Pro Bowl center LeCharles Bentley, an impending free agent.

"It doesn't really matter," Bentley said. "We've got good players on both sides of the ball, so he's got a lot to work with."

Aaron Brooks, the Saints' starter for most of the past six seasons, had his worst season in 2005 and was benched for the final three games. If the Saints keep Brooks they would owe him about $6.5 million in salary next season.

Times-Picayune staffers Mike Triplett and Jimmy Smith report the Saints are likely to cut ties to Brooks.

When Payton interviewed for the job, he declined to comment on whether he thought Brooks should stay or go, but he said the Saints asked him about developing a quarterback.

"We talked about that," Payton said. "I enjoy coaching that position. I enjoy being involved in the offense. I would certainly look forward to being involved with that development."

The Saints hold the No. 2 pick in a draft that includes two stud quarterbacks and one superstar running back. At No. 2, the Saints will get to draft a player they can build their franchise around.

Either former Heisman Trophy-winner Matt Leinart of the University of Southern California or Texas quarterback Vince Young could be available at that spot.

Throughout his coaching career, Payton has tutored quarterbacks. He was the quarterbacks coach of the Philadelphia Eagles in 1997-98, then joined the Giants as quarterbacks coach in 1999. He was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2000 and remained in that position until 2002.

Since 2000, each passer under his guidance has thrown for at least 3,300 yards. With the Cowboys, Payton guided three different quarterbacks -- Drew Bledsoe, Vinny Testaverde in 2004 and Quincy Carter in 2003 -- to seasons of over 3,000 yards passing.

In 2005, Bledsoe completed 300 of 499 passes for 3,639 yards and 23 touchdowns. The yardage total ranks third in club history and the veteran quarterback posted an 83.7 passer rating, among the best of his career.

"Sean is a very smart coach," said Bledsoe. "He is an exceptional play-caller and a creative game-planner. I'm going to miss him, as is the rest of our team, but I know he is deserving of this opportunity. The Saints organization is lucky to have him as their head coach, and I'm certain he'll have a positive long-term impact on their team."

Also in 2005, the Cowboys had the NFL's 13th-ranked offense, with receiver Terry Glenn recording 62 receptions for 1,136 yards and a career-high seven touchdowns. Tight end Jason Witten had 66 grabs for 757 yards and six TDs, ranking second in the NFC among tight ends.

While in New York, Payton worked with quarterback Kerry Collins and the passer's NFL career reached new heights. Collins had a career-high and club-record 4,073 yards in 2002 as the Giants finished sixth in the league in offense. In 2001, Collins completed 327 of 568 attempts for 3,764 yards and 19 touchdowns as New York posted the league's eighth-ranked passing attack.

Under Payton, Collins became one of the most productive quarterbacks in Giants history, standing third on the team's career list in pass attempts (1,973), third in completions (1,163), fourth in passing yards (13,765) and fifth in touchdown passes (68) before Payton's departure.

Collins set an NFL record by becoming the first quarterback in league history to throw each of his team's passes in consecutive seasons (2000-2001).

During his stay in New York, the Giants advanced to Super Bowl XXXV in 2001. The only blemish on Payton's resume appeared in 2002, when then-head coach Jim Fassel took over Payton's play-calling responsibilities, guaranteeing the then-foundering Giants would make the playoffs.

They did.

However, Parcells, a micro-managing coach who customarily involves himself in all facets of his teams, turned over the play-calling duties to Payton this season.

Payton told reporters today that he intends to handle play-calling duties this season, but added that could change depending on who he hires as his coordinator.

For what it's worth, this is first coach hired by Loomis, who was promoted after team owner Tom Benson fired Randy Mueller in 2002. Mueller, now the Miami Dolphins' GM, hired Haslett.

Payton is the second straight coach hired by the Saints with no head coaching experience. It worked well early last time as Haslett took the Saints to the franchise's first playoff victory in his first season. But New Orleans has missed the playoffs in the five seasons since.

Payton was one of five candidates interviewed by the Saints at the team's headquarters last week. The others were Jets defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson, Carthon, former Green Bay head coach Mike Sherman and former St. Louis Rams coach Mike Martz.

Last year, Payton turned down the Oakland Raiders.

According to Schefter, Payton took this job, as opposed to the one in Oakland last year, because he believes he will have more discretion and latitude in player personnel. Plus, Payton believes the Saints have more talent than others think.

Payton has said the Saints' poor showing this season did not deter him from seeking the job.

"It's hard to look at their talent now compared to their record with all of the circumstances and things that they've gone through," Payton said last week. "It's a team that's certainly shown that they can be competitive and I would look forward to that challenge."

Meanwhile, in Dallas. ... Payton's new job means the Cowboys will probably be looking for a play-caller. They could also be looking for a couple of assistant coaches.

According to Dallas Morning News staffers Jean-Jacques Taylor and Todd Archer, Payton has spoken to the Cowboys about allowing linebackers coach Gary Gibbs and offensive line coach and running game coordinator Tony Sparano to join him in New Orleans as coordinators. Each is under contract with the Cowboys, who do not have to let them leave even if the new jobs represent promotions.

"I don't know what's going to happen," Payton said. "It's going to take a few days to see what direction we're going with the coordinators or if anyone will come with me."

If Parcells wants to maintain the same setup, he could move receivers coach Todd Haley to passing game coordinator. Or he could decide to let Sparano run the entire offense.

Another option is to hire an offensive coordinator and let Sparano -- if he stays -- focus entirely on the offensive line.

If he chooses that option, Parcells might select Chris Palmer.

Palmer, the head coach when the Cleveland Browns returned to the NFL in 1999, was also the Houston Texans' offensive coordinator for three seasons. He and Parcells worked together in New England.