NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Saints' new coach knows all about quarterbacks — a logical fit for a team expected to select one with the second overall pick in the NFL draft.

The Saints will hire Dallas Cowboys assistant Sean Payton as their head coach, a team official familiar with the decision said Tuesday. The Saints official was speaking on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because the formal announcement wasn't expected until later Wednesday.

Payton, who is a head coach for the first time, 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 Giants assistant, a stint that included that team's NFC championship in 2000.

Payton was one of five candidates interviewed by the Saints at the team's headquarters last week. The others were Jets defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson, Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon, former Green Bay head coach Mike Sherman and former St. Louis Rams coach Mike Martz.

Payton will succeed Jim Haslett, whose tenure lasted six years. 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.

Payton has said the Saints' poor showing this season did not deter him from seeking the job.

"It's hard to look at their talent now compared to their record with all of the circumstances and things that they've gone through," Payton said last week. "It's a team that's certainly shown that they can be competitive and I would look forward to that challenge."

In addition to coaching quarterbacks, Payton had a very brief pro playing career at that position in the CFL and as a Chicago Bears replacement player in the 1987 strike season.

Aaron Brooks, the Saints' starter for most of the past six seasons, had his worst season in 2005 and was benched for the final three games. If the Saints keep Brooks they would owe him about $6.5 million in salary next season.

When Payton interviewed for the job, he declined to comment on whether he thought Brooks should stay or go, but he did say that the Saints asked him about developing a quarterback.

"We talked about that," Payton said. "I enjoy coaching that position. I enjoy being involved in the offense. I would certainly look forward to being involved with that development."

Payton couldn't be reached at the Dallas Cowboys' headquarters Tuesday night.

This is the first coach hired by current general manager Mickey Loomis, who was promoted after team owner Tom Benson fired Randy Mueller in 2002. Mueller, now the Miami Dolphins' GM, hired Haslett.

Payton is the second straight coach hired by the Saints with no head coaching experience. It worked well early last time as Haslett took the Saints to the franchise's first playoff victory in his first season. But New Orleans has missed the playoffs in the five seasons since.