Payton to Be Hired as the Saints’ Next Coach

The New Orleans Saints will hire Dallas Cowboy assistant Sean Payton to his first NFL head coaching job, a team official familiar with the decision said Tuesday.

The Saints’ official was speaking on condition of anonymity because the formal announcement wasn’t expected until today.

Payton 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 Giant assistant, a stint that included that team’s NFC championship in 2000.

Payton will succeed Jim Haslett, whose tenure lasted six seasons. The Saints were 3-13 in 2005, a season in which all of their “home” games were played on the road because of Hurricane Katrina. The Saints were a .500 team during Haslett’s first five seasons combined.

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Norv Turner, fired as coach of the Oakland Raiders two weeks ago, moved across San Francisco Bay to become the 49ers’ offensive coordinator.

Though Turner has failed twice as a head coach, he was courted by at least four teams last week for his respected skills as a coordinator.

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Seattle Seahawk tackle Sean Locklear was charged with one count of assault for allegedly grabbing his girlfriend by the neck, and released without bail after a court appearance in Seattle. A judge ordered Locklear to have no contact with his girlfriend. He also must abstain from alcohol and other drugs while the case is pending. A second court date was set for Feb. 13.

Locklear’s status for Sunday’s NFC championship game against the Carolina Panthers may be clarified today, when Coach Mike Holmgren holds his weekly news conference.

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Daniell Harper, the wife of Indianapolis Colt cornerback Nick Harper, was released from jail on $5,000 bond, facing charges of stabbing him with a filet knife during an argument at their home.

Pretrial hearings were set for March 21 and May 15, and her trial was set for June 6.

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As expected, New England Patriot defensive coordinator Eric Mangini was hired as the New York Jets’ coach, becoming the youngest head coach in the NFL.

Mangini turns 35 Thursday.

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Pittsburgh Steeler Coach Bill Cowher refused to criticize the officials for reversing upon review a possible game-clinching interception by Steeler safety Troy Polamalu against the Colts -- the NFL later said the reversal was wrong.

“Our officials are doing the very best that they can do. Obviously, at times, there’s going to be mistakes made,” Cowher said. “To me, those guys are human like the rest of us, and we’re moving on.”

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The New England Patriots promoted linebackers coach Dean Pees to defensive coordinator.... The New York Giants fired secondary coach Ron Milus.... Safety Siddeeq Shabazz signed with the Miami Dolphins, his fourth NFL team since his rookie year in 2003.