Kellen Moore has become head coach of the New Orleans Saints just two days after helping the Philadelphia Eagles win the Super Bowl.
Moore will join an organisation that has been floundering since the retirement of quarterback Drew Brees and departure of Super Bowl-winning coach Sean Payton. The Saints haven’t made the play-offs since the 2020 season – the last of Brees’ career.
Their interest in Moore became increasingly evident as the club waited longer to fill its vacancy than any other NFL team seeking a new coach this year.
Moore was the only assistant coach on either Super Bowl team to be interviewed by New Orleans and thus the only candidate who, under league rules, could not be hired until after Sunday’s title game was played.
“I am excited to join the New Orleans Saints and deeply appreciate the faith that Mrs Benson and the entire Saints organisation have placed in me,” Moore said.
“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.”
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The Saints’ decision mirrors that of several teams that have found success after hiring relatively young offensive coaches.
They included the Los Angeles Rams with Sean McVay, Green Bay with Matt LaFleur, Miami with Mike McDaniel and Minnesota with 2024 AP Coach of the Year Kevin O’Connell, all of whom were hired in their 30s.
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Who is Kellen Moore?
A standout college quarterback at Boise State, Moore had a six-year career as a practice squad or reserve QB with Detroit (2012-2014) and Dallas (2015-2017). He played in just three regular-season games, all with the Cowboys in 2015.
He moved into coaching in 2018 as a quarterbacks coach and was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2019. He left Dallas to join the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023 before moving to Philadelphia in 2024.
While Moore tended to favour pass-heavy schemes in his early years as a coordinator, he adapted when he joined the Eagles.
The best of the action from Super Bowl 59 as the Kansas City Chiefs took on the Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans
Recognising Philadelphia’s strength as a running team – with its big, physical offensive line, star running back Saquon Barkley and mobile quarterback Jalen Hurts – Moore oversaw the NFL’s second-ranked ground game in 2024.
The Eagles rushed for a franchise-record 3,048 yards, with Barkley gaining 2,005 of that before adding an additional 499 yards in four playoff games.
And when the Chiefs limited Barkley to 57 yards rushing in the Super Bowl, Moore responded with well-timed passing plays that included touchdowns of 46 yards to DeVonta Smith and 12 yards to AJ Brown.
Moore takes over an offense featuring versatile running back Alvin Kamara and receiver Chris Olave.
