Who Is Sean Payton? Age, Biography and Wiki
Sean Payton is an American football coach and former player, born on December 29, 1963. He is prominently known for his time as the head coach of the New Orleans Saints, where he led the team to a Super Bowl victory in 2010. With decades of experience in coaching, Payton's strategic mind and leadership skills have earned him a significant reputation in the NFL. As of 2025, Payton is 61 years old and remains an influential figure within the sport.
| Occupation | Football Players |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | December 29, 1963 |
| Age | 61 Years |
| Birth Place | San Mateo, California, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Sean Payton's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Sean Payton stands approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall (180 cm) and weighs around 200 pounds (90 kg). His athletic build was evident during his playing days as a quarterback and continues to reflect his active lifestyle in coaching.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
In terms of his personal life, Sean Payton has been relatively private. Previously married to former wife Beth Shuey, with whom he has two children, Payton has since navigated the complexities of relationships in the public eye. As of 2025, he is reportedly dating a long-time friend, with whom he has been seen frequently attending events and games. While details about his private life remain sparse, he values family time and the connections he has built throughout his career.
Payton's parents were originally from Scranton, Pennsylvania; Thomas worked in the insurance industry. Payton lived in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, during his grade school and middle school years (1970–1978). He attended Naperville Central High School in Naperville, Illinois, starting as quarterback his senior year before graduating in 1982.
Winning a football scholarship, Payton had a successful career playing quarterback at Eastern Illinois University, leading the Panthers to an 11–2 record and the quarter-finals of the Division I-AA Playoffs in 1986.
While attending EIU, he became a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and was later named a Significant Sig; one of Sigma Chi's highest honors.
Under coach Al Molde, Payton's Eastern Illinois teams were known as "Eastern Airlines" due to their prolific passing attack that frequently topped 300 yards per game (and had 509 passing yards in one game, still a school record).
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Sean Payton's estimated net worth is approximately $24 million, primarily accumulated through his long and distinguished coaching career. His annual salary as a head coach has fluctuated but has been reported to be around $8 million, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in the NFL. In addition to his salary, Payton has accrued wealth from endorsements, speaking engagements, and other business ventures.
In 2004, he became a sought-after assistant in the league, so the Cowboys gave him a pay raise to remain as their assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach. In 2005, he was promoted by Parcells to assistant head coach/passing game coordinator.
Career, Business and Investments
Sean Payton’s coaching career began shortly after his playing days, quickly escalating through various assistant coaching positions before his notable tenure as head coach of the Saints. Under his leadership, the team transformed into a competitive powerhouse, breaking historical records along the way.
Beyond coaching, Payton is involved in several business investments, including restaurants and sports-related enterprises. He has demonstrated a knack for entrepreneurship, aligning his interests with his experience in the football industry, thus diversifying his portfolio.
He began his coaching career as offensive assistant for San Diego State University and had several assistant coaching positions on college and NFL teams before being named as the tenth full-time coach in Saints history in 2006.
Payton has always been known for his offensive prowess, having scored more points (2,804) and gained more yards (40,158) than any other team in a coach's first 100 games in NFL history.
Payton had the second-longest NFL single-team tenure among active head coaches, behind New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, who coached the Patriots from 2000 to 2023.
Social Network
In the world of social media, Sean Payton maintains an active presence. He uses platforms like Twitter and Instagram to connect with fans, share insights into his coaching philosophies, and keep followers updated on his personal and professional milestones. Payton’s social media engagement adds a modern twist to his traditional coaching career, further endearing him to a younger audience.
Following the 2021 NFL season and a year after his long-time quarterback, Drew Brees, retired from the NFL, Payton announced he would be stepping down as head coach after 16 years. Payton finished his tenure in New Orleans with an overall record of 161–97 and as the winningest coach in franchise history.
On February 28, 2022, it was revealed that the Miami Dolphins had requested permission from the Saints to interview Payton for their vacant head coaching spot, but were reportedly denied permission and had scrapped the idea after their former head coach, Brian Flores, filed a lawsuit against the NFL over racial discrimination in hiring practices ea
rly that month.
The Dolphins were considering pairing Payton with quarterback Tom Brady, who had briefly retired from the NFL from February 1, 2022, until March 13, 2022.
On June 13, 2022, it was reported that the Dolphins offered Payton a five-year deal worth $100 million, a deal that would have made him the highest paid coach in NFL history, and would have been only the second $100 million deal signed by a head coach, after Jon Gruden's 10-year, $100 million contract to return to the Oakland Raiders in 2018.
Six months after the pursuit was first reported, on August 2, 2022, the Dolphins and team owner Stephen M.
Ross were fined $1.5 million and forfeited a 2023 first-round draft pick along with a 2024 third-round pick due to impermissible communication with both Payton and Tom Brady, who both share the same agent, Don Yee, between the 2019 and 2021 seasons.
Ross also received a six-game suspension as a result and Dolphins vice chairman/limited partner Bruce Beal was fined $500,000 and received a year-long suspension for the 2022 season.
Education
Sean Payton attended Eastern Illinois University, where he not only played quarterback but also laid the foundation for his future coaching career. His educational background, combined with on-the-field experience, has equipped him with the tools necessary to excel in the highly competitive landscape of the NFL.
Patrick Sean Payton (born December 29, 1963) is an American professional football coach and former quarterback who is the head coach for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL).
Previously, he served as the head coach of the New Orleans Saints from 2006 to 2021, leading the franchise to its first Super Bowl victory during the 2009 season. Payton played college football for the Eastern Illinois Panthers and played professionally in 1987 with the Chicago Bears and 1988 overseas in Britain for the Leicester Panthers.
