Kellen Moore introduced as new head coach of the New Orleans Saints

NEW ORLEANS, La. - The New Orleans Saints officially introduced Kellen Moore as the new head coach on Thursday.

At 36, Moore will be the youngest head coach in the NFL, completing a steady seven-year climb from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator with the Cowboys, Chargers, and Eagles.

Gayle Benson, owner of the Saints and Pelicans, welcomed Moore and his family to the team. She said as the Saints searched for a new head coach, Moore embodied the qualities the team needs.

"We wanted a coach that was exceptionally bright, creative, and most importantly, a tremendous leader," Benson said. "I believe that's exactly what we have in Kellen Moore."

Moore’s hiring fills the last remaining head coach vacancy in the league and follows a competitive interview process. Among the candidates considered were New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, and Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi, who took over after Dennis Allen was dismissed midway through the Saints’ 5-12 campaign in 2024. Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady and former Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy were also at one point in the running but withdrew from consideration.

Moore has been a winner at every stage of his career. Both as a player and a coach.

Moore’s football career has been defined by overcoming the odds. A record-setting high school quarterback in Washington, he became the winningest quarterback in college football history at Boise State, posting a 50-3 record while leading the Broncos to multiple undefeated regular seasons. Despite his collegiate success, Moore went undrafted in 2012 but managed to carve out a six-year NFL career with the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys, primarily as a backup quarterback.

It's evident that he can lead a team to victory, as he coached the Philadelphia Eagles to fly high over the Kansas City Chiefs to win the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl LIX with a 40-22 score. He lead a creative and innovative offense, Benson mentioned.

"I can't begin to express how thankful I am for the opportunity to be the head coach of the Saints," Moore explained. "But really that dream started a long time ago."

Following in the footsteps of his father who was his football coach when he was a teenager at Prosser High School in Washington. "The foundation of myself as football coach really comes from him," he said.

As a former quarterback, Moore knows the struggles players face and the important role a quarterback has on the team.

"There's a tremendous amount of responsibility associated with that player," Moore told the media. "Their tied into every single player on the football team."

He thanked every coach, team mate, and mentor that helped and shaped him along the way, from Boise State Broncos to Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Chargers and "especially the Philadelphia Eagles."

Moore said through the process, he interviewed with multiple teams. He said it became very clear to him what made the Saints special — the leadership.

"Faith, family, and football is what this thing is all about," Moore added. "Those priorities will never change."

He said the Saints team is racked with talented and versatile players.

"We have an exciting, exciting future for New Orleans football," Moore said. "Our number one goal is to create an environment that allows every player, coach, and staff member to be their best. This is the greatest team sport in the world for a reason because it takes everyone."

He said the process is going to be fun rebuilding the team and coaching staff.

Moore will head back to Philadelphia for the Eagles Super Bowl Celebration Parade then come back to New Orleans and start working with the Saints.