The New Orleans Saints officially hired Kellen Moore on Tuesday as the 19th head coach in franchise history.
Moore is two days removed from helping the Philadelphia Eagles record a 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. He was the Eagles’ offensive coordinator.
At 35, Moore becomes the youngest head coach in the NFL. He effectively replaced Dennis Allen, who was fired in November after a 2-7 start to the 2024 season.
The hiring of Moore also filled the NFL’s last available head-coaching position. There were seven openings shortly following the conclusion of the regular season.
“At the start of the interview process, it was important to find a head coach who was the right fit for the New Orleans Saints organization,” Saints owner Gayle Benson said. “Through the search process, it became clear that Kellen is the right person to help us re-establish a winning program and culture that our fans are accustomed to and have come to expect. I would also like to thank Darren Rizzi for his service as interim coach and leading our team this past season. I am truly grateful to him.”
Said Moore: “I am excited to join the New Orleans Saints and deeply appreciate the faith that Mrs. Benson and the entire Saints organization have placed in me. I look forward to embracing the challenges ahead and am eager to get started. I would also like to thank the Philadelphia Eagles for an incredible 2024 season. I’m excited to begin this new chapter.”
ESPN reported that new chapter may begin with Moore bringing in former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley as his defensive coordinator. Staley is considered a leading candidate to join Moore, who was the Chargers’ offensive coordinator under Staley in 2023.
A record-setting quarterback at Boise State, Moore was a backup quarterback with the Detroit Lions (2012-14) and Dallas Cowboys (2015-17). After six seasons in the NFL, Moore transitioned to coaching, first as the quarterbacks coach of the Cowboys (2018) and then as offensive coordinator (2019-22).
When then-head coach Mike McCarthy took over the play calling in 2023, Moore exited Dallas and became offensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Chargers before joining the Eagles in 2024.
The Eagles generated 367.2 yards of offense in 2024 — eighth in the NFL — and were second in rushing (179.3 yards per game) behind Saquon Barkley and his 2,005 rushing yards.
Moore won’t have the luxury of an impact player like Barkley in New Orleans, which is $54.1 million over the salary cap, per Over The Cap, and faces roster questions and decisions on both sides of the ball.
“I would like to welcome Kellen Moore and his family to New Orleans,” Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said. “He is an outstanding communicator with the ability to lead people and has a clear vision for this football team. Through this head coaching search, we had the opportunity to meet with several impressive candidates and I thank them for their hard work and preparation in this process.”
–Field Level Media
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