The Kellen Moore era officially began on Thursday, with the new Saints head coach speaking to a room of assorted media members and family in the defensive meeting room at the Saints facility.
The day began with team owner Gayle Benson vowing "to provide any resource our players, coached and front office need to compete for a championship," and GM Mickey Loomis pointing to the chief reason the Saints hire took longer than anticipated to get done.
"The Eagles kept winning," Loomis said," and that delayed our opportunity to make an informed decision."
Hear the full comments from Gayle Benson, Mickey Loomis and Kellen Moore in the player above. Can't see the embed? Click here.
When Moore took the podium, the league's youngest head coach flashed his trademark smile and credited the Saints leadership with the process that led him to a head coaching opportunity that was too good to pass up. It also happens to come in a city he got to know very well over the past week, winning Super Bowl 59 in the Caesars Superdome.
"As we went through this process, through this interview process, I feel very fortunate that I got to go and interview with multiple teams," Moore said. "It became very clear what made this organization really special, and it was the leadership. Each interaction grew more and more confident in the opportunity that this presented."
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Moore also thanked his family, including his father and high school football coach, Tom, whom he credited as serving as his foundation for what he's become in the coaching ranks, as well as his mother, Kris, a middle school principal. He also credited "the best football family I can possibly have" in his wife, Julie, and four children (two daughers, Halle and Madelyn, and two sons, Kyler and Beckham), all on hand to watch on the big day.
He also went on to credit the Who Dat Nation, which he sees as one of the greatest advantages in the NFL. He learned that firsthand when the Eagles visited the Caesars Superdome in Week 3 and saw his offense held off the scoreboard until midway through the 4th quarter.
"We have an exciting, exciting future for New Orleans football," Moore continued. "Our No. 1 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."
The next questions Moore will answer will include his coaching staff, particularly at defensive coordinator. Moore confirmed that he'll be calling plays on offense. There wasn't much insight given on his staff, though he made it clear there'd be a process and a variety of people interviewed for key positions. Moore also sidestepped questions about quarterback Derek Carr's future, and any specific plans for scheme or the futures of team leaders. The day was about New Orleans, and the new coach of the Saints is glad to be here.
"I can’t wait to get started, Who Dat Nation, appreciate you, can’t wait to go," Moore said. "Here we go.”