New Orleans Saints punter Matthew Hayball received an earful from interim head coach Darren Rizzi on Sunday after a punt was called back due to a holding penalty.
During the second quarter against the New York Giants, Hayball punted the ball to returner Ihmir Smith-Marsette, who took the return all the way to the end zone before being forced to recover a potential fumble. However, a flag was thrown for holding, wiping the play off the board.
As the Giants celebrated the no-touchdown, Rizzi was seen yelling at Hayball on the sidelines. Saints running back Alvin Kamara had to step in to separate the coach and his player.
Rizzi was unhappy with the 43-yard punt, which appeared to give Smith-Marsette too much space to operate. The incident highlights Rizzi’s intensity on the sidelines, which he’s known for.
The special teams unit has long been a focus for Rizzi, who previously served as the Saints’ special teams coordinator before becoming the interim head coach after the team fired Dennis Allen. Rizzi has led the Saints to a 2-1 record as head coach.
