The New Orleans Saints announced Wednesday that offensive line/running game coach Aaron Kromer will take over as the Saints' interim coach while assistant head coach and interim coach Joe Vitt serves a six-game suspension for his role in the team's "bounty" program.
Kromer spoke to the media the day after the announcement.
"I'm a fill in for the fill in, and I'll do the best job I can do," Kromer said Thursday. "I'm gonna hold this thing over until Joe Vitt gets back. I'm gonna hold the fort, I'm gonna follow the plan that has been set."
Kromer, who said he has head coaching aspirations for the future, also said he plans on following the formula suspended head coach Sean Payton has set.
"It's important that Drew Brees feels this is Sean Payton's program, this is the way we do things," Kromer said. "This is the formula that we have followed, that we've had success with and it's my job to make sure we are on pace with that."
Kromer will spend the next two preseason games alongside Vitt in an effort to grow more comfortable with head coaching procedures. Kromer plans on continuing his role as the offensive line coach while he serves as the interim head coach.
Vitt said Kromer will have the added benefit of having defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo on staff. Spagnuolo was the St. Louis Rams' head coach for the past three seasons.
"Where we have a distinctive advantage," Vitt said, "is Spags is six or seven months removed from being a head coach. So Aaron will go to him during the course of the week and get some suggestions. Both those guys have a great relationship. They are both here for one reason and that's to win."
