Kellen Moore: From the Sidelines to Directing the Saints
Kellen Moore always envisioned his future on the football field, following in the footsteps of his father, Tom Moore. He grew up watching his father coach the Prosser High School football team, leading them to victory in four state championships in Washington. From a young age, Moore participated in the team, going through roles such as “tee boy”, “ball boy”, and “water boy”, until becoming a player.
“That was my childhood,” Moore stated.
Kellen Moore
Moore studied his father’s methodology, paying attention to organization and efficiency in training. Inspired by his father, Moore was named head coach of the New Orleans Saints. In his inaugural press conference, Moore highlighted his father’s influence on his professional career.
“I cannot express my gratitude for this opportunity, but that dream started a long time ago, being a kid from Prosser, Washington, where my father was our football coach, and that was my foundation as a coach. I always wanted to be a football coach,” Moore stated.
Kellen Moore
This moment arrived faster than expected. At 37 years old, Moore becomes the youngest head coach in the NFL when the Saints host the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. He was hired on February 11, 2025, two days after the offensive coordinator led the Philadelphia Eagles to victory in the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs in New Orleans. This success has generated expectations that Moore, with his coaching style, can revitalize the Saints’ offense.
With Moore at the helm, will the Saints be able to return to the postseason for the first time since 2020?
After a season marked by injuries in 2024, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis identified this factor as a key problem. Starting quarterback Derek Carr missed seven games; Pro Bowl center Erik McCoy was absent for ten; running back Alvin Kamara did not play the last three; tight end Taysom Hill missed nine games; and receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed missed a total of 20 games.
To address the injury problem, Moore hired Ted Rath as the director of sports performance. Rath and Moore have a connection from Detroit, where Rath was an assistant strength and conditioning coach during Moore’s playing days.
Rath and Moore’s strategy in the training camp prioritized the players’ health, using data to determine the intensity of the workouts. The players praised their recovery capacity and the well-being of their bodies.
“There wasn’t a day when I felt destroyed,” commented guard Cesar Ruiz.
Cesar Ruiz
Moore highlighted that Rath designed a program where the players trained “very, very hard, but also very intelligently”.Moore implemented efficient practices, with a clear purpose and without wasting time. In addition, he incorporated officials and television timeouts to simulate game situations, reflecting the organization he learned from his father.
Moore’s childhood in football not only fostered his love for the game, but also made him an expert in strategies. Offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier describes him as a “Rain Man”, for his exceptional memory for remembering plays.
Moore’s ability to remember and study led him to a record-breaking career at Prosser High and an outstanding performance at Boise State. He doesn’t have a specific favorite play, but he proudly remembers some of them.Moore also shares his enthusiasm for the process of designing a game plan and the growth of confidence during game week.
Moore will face significant challenges this season, including roster and personality management. His previous experience as a quarterbacks coach for the Dallas Cowboys provided him with valuable training in this aspect. Moore values interpersonal relationships and the connection between staff and players.
Unlike previous coaches, Moore is characterized by his calm and approachable approach to his players. He admires Jason Garrett, who was his coach and mentor, for his similar career path. Moore emphasizes the importance of clear expectations and consistency for the players.
“As long as you’re consistent, they know who you are and they know when you change your tone and how it changes,” Moore said.
Kellen Moore
Consistency is a key attribute that several members of Moore’s staff have highlighted. Nussmeier, who has worked with Moore on multiple occasions, and quarterbacks coach Scott Tolzien, appreciate his stability and positive approach.Moore reflected on his career path, recalling that he initially saw himself as a college football coach. Although he was linked to the opening of the head coaching position at Boise State, he ultimately chose to extend his contract with the Cowboys.
“I love Boise State. I will always support them and hope to one day be part of the program again,” Moore stated.
Kellen Moore
Moore has developed fundamental values for his NFL coaching career, highlighting “togetherness, joy, and toughness” as his philosophy. He is inspired by coach Steve Kerr and the Golden State Warriors, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the game and facing challenges with joy.
Moore’s first challenge was the unexpected retirement of quarterback Derek Carr. Moore opted for Spencer Rattler as the starter, following a summer competition. In addition, the absence of safety Tyrann Mathieu and the release of special teams player J.T. Gray, represented other obstacles. Despite these changes, Moore’s staff highlights his resilient and consistent attitude.
Moore seeks to apply the lessons learned from his father to revitalize the Saints’ offense. His first game against the Cardinals will be a crucial test to demonstrate his ability to build on the promise of a new beginning and take the Saints back to the playoffs.
“I think we’re all excited… Our players have done a very good job. I think our players are in a very good place, mentally, physically, they’re ready to play,” Moore concluded.
