New Orleans Saints: Coaching History

Humble Beginnings: The Early Years

The New Orleans Saints franchise traces its roots back to 1967, when they joined the NFL as an expansion team. Their first head coach was Tom Fears, a former NFL player who had previously served as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Rams. Under Fears' leadership, the Saints struggled in their early years, posting a dismal 14-52 record over his four seasons at the helm.

In 1970, Fears was replaced by J.D. Roberts, who fared little better, amassing a 13-37 record in his three years as coach. The Saints' fortunes began to turn around in 1973 when they hired Chuck Noll, who would later go on to achieve legendary status with the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, Noll's tenure in New Orleans was brief, as he departed after just one season to take over the Steelers' head coaching position.

The Bum Phillips Era: A Brief Resurgence

The Saints' most successful period during their early years came under the leadership of Bum Phillips, who was hired in 1975. Phillips, known for his flamboyant personality and innovative coaching style, led the Saints to their first winning season in 1979 and their first playoff appearance in 1983. However, despite his success, Phillips was fired after the 1984 season due to conflicts with management.

A Coaching Carousel and a Long Playoff Drought

After Phillips' departure, the Saints entered a period of instability, cycling through a series of head coaches who failed to sustain any long-term success. Jim Mora, Rich Brooks, Jim Haslett, and Sean Payton all had brief stints at the helm, but none could lead the Saints back to the playoffs.

The Sean Payton Era: A Return to Glory

In 2006, the Saints hired Sean Payton as their head coach, marking a turning point in the franchise's history. Payton, a former offensive coordinator with the Dallas Cowboys, quickly implemented an explosive offensive scheme that transformed the Saints into one of the most prolific scoring teams in the NFL.

Under Payton's leadership, the Saints won their first-ever Super Bowl in 2009, defeating the Indianapolis Colts in a thrilling 31-17 victory. Payton also guided the Saints to six NFC South division titles and nine playoff appearances during his 15-year tenure.

Dennis Allen: The Current Coach

In 2022, Dennis Allen took over as the Saints' head coach after Payton stepped down. Allen, who had previously served as the Saints' defensive coordinator, is tasked with continuing the success established by his predecessors.