The New Orleans Saints hope to have their defensive coordinator search wrapped up by early next week, but a conclusion to the process might come sooner.
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported that after interviewing Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham on Thursday, the Saints will meet with Rob Ryan on Friday.
Head coach Sean Payton would like to bring in one more assistant for an interview before shutting down the search by Tuesday, but acknowledged this week the Saints were having a difficult time receiving permission to interview position coaches around the NFL.
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The caveat here is Ryan. If the Saints can lock up the former Dallas Cowboys coordinator sooner, per Rapoport, the show is over and New Orleans would effectively have their top pick for the job.
Ryan is one of the more experienced candidates available and fits Payton's desire to abandon the 4-3 scheme for the 3-4. Whoever takes the job, the immediate challenge is rebooting a defense that allowed more yardage than any unit in NFL history last season.
UPDATE: Ryan has been hired by the Saints, Fox Sports insider and NFL Network contributor Jay Glazer reported Saturday.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.