Fans and city leaders react to Saints hiring Kellen Moore as head coach

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - The New Orleans Saints officially named Kellen Moore as their new head coach on Tuesday (Feb. 11), making him the youngest head coach in the NFL at 36 years old.

Moore arrives fresh off a Super Bowl LIX victory as the Philadelphia Eagles' offensive coordinator and is set to lead a Saints team in need of a turnaround.

In a statement, Moore expressed gratitude for the opportunity.

“I appreciate the faith Mrs. Benson and the Saints organization have placed in me. I’m looking forward to embracing the challenges ahead,” he said.

The team later posted video of Moore and his family arriving in New Orleans sometime Tuesday afternoon.

The Saints, the last of seven NFL teams to fill their head coaching vacancy, took their time in making the hire.

Saints Hall of Famer and Fox 8 Saints Analyst Deuce McAllister believes the patience paid off.

“I think, initially, you’re excited about it. It is something that you’ve been anticipating for the last couple of days and you’re glad that it finally came together,” he said. “Now, it’s about assembling a staff and trying to identify what they want to do offensively, defensively. And then start to try to figure out from a roster standpoint, how does that look going forward.”

Moore’s coaching rise has been quick. After retiring as a player in 2018, he became the Dallas Cowboys' quarterbacks coach before being promoted to offensive coordinator from 2019-2022. He spent one year with the Los Angeles Chargers before joining the Eagles in 2023, helping lead them to a dominant 40-22 Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Local Leaders Welcome Moore to New Orleans

City and business leaders expressed optimism over Moore’s hiring.

Jay Cicero, president of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, added that the hire comes at an opportune time.

“What an incredible time for New Orleans to have hosted the most incredible Super Bowl in our 55-year history and have the offensive coordinator of the winning team, Philadelphia, who had such an incredible game offensively to be our new head coach,” Cicero said.

Fans Excited for Change After Disappointing Season

Outside of Caesars Superdome, Saints fans were buzzing about the new hire, seeing it as a much-needed reset after a frustrating 5-12 season.

“He’s that Sean Payton 2.0,” said Saints fan Thomas Massey. “He’s that guy that’s young, motivated, and coming out of nowhere to take the league by storm.”

Kurshira Richardson echoed the optimism.

“I feel he’s experienced enough. So, whatever he believes in and says should go cause that man knows what he is doing! Obviously, look at the score, 40-22. We need him!” she said.

Darren Rizzi served as interim head coach for the second half of the 2023 season after Dennis Allen was fired following a seven-game losing streak.

Many Saints fans believe Moore’s offensive expertise is the key to unlocking the team’s potential.

“I hope the Saints make it to the Super Bowl next year! I think we got this. Who Dat, y’all!” said longtime fan Frankie Bell.

Even some of the Saints’ so-called “super fans” were immediately on board with the new hire.

No hard feelings

Eagles fans still trickling out of New Orleans on their way back home Tuesday said they could not begrudge Moore cashing in on a chance to become the league’s youngest head coach in the wake of helping deliver Philadelphia’s second Super Bowl championship.

Looking Ahead

Now, the focus shifts to Moore assembling his coaching staff. Reports indicate former Cowboys quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier and ex-Chargers head coach Brandon Staley are top candidates for key positions.

With free agency and the NFL Draft approaching, the Saints will look to build around an offense that struggled with consistency last season.

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