METAIRIE, La. — Kellen Moore believes that his experiences growing up as a coach’s son compensate for any doubts about his youth as he embarks on his first season as head coach of the New Orleans Saints.

“People often say it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill,” noted the 36-year-old Moore during his introductory press conference at the team’s headquarters on Thursday.

“I’ve been preparing for this my entire life,” he continued, having recently made history as the youngest head coach in the NFL. “I feel ready to take on this challenge.”

Moore steps into this role just days after celebrating a Super Bowl victory while serving as the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles. He now takes the reins of a Saints team that has not qualified for the playoffs since 2020, which was also the final season for record-setting quarterback Drew Brees.

The Saints have been led for the past two seasons by quarterback Derek Carr, who holds a record of 14-13 as the starter with the team and has two years remaining on his contract.

Moore expressed admiration for Carr, with whom he faced off during college, but he refrained from outright declaring him as the starting quarterback for the 2025 season.

“Derek’s a fantastic quarterback in this league,” Moore stated. “I have immense respect for his journey—being a starter and a prominent player.”

Sean Payton, who is recognized as the most successful coach in the history of the Saints, began his own career with the franchise at the age of 42. He successfully led the team to its only Super Bowl victory just four years later.

There are clear parallels between Moore and Payton, especially given that Payton briefly departed coaching after the 2021 season and is now leading the Denver Broncos.

Both men played quarterback in college—Payton at Eastern Illinois and Moore at Boise State—and both transitioned through the roles of quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator before landing their first head coaching positions in New Orleans.

“Everyone respects what Sean has accomplished in the league,” Moore remarked. “Certainly, the benchmarks have been established on the foundation he created, and we’re keen to build on that.”

Moore flashed a smile as he added, “Maybe Mickey has a specific type,” referring to Saints general manager Mickey Loomis.

Following Payton’s departure, his former defensive coordinator, Dennis Allen, took over but faced challenges, leading to a disappointing 18-25 record over two and a half seasons before his exit in November.

Interestingly, the Saints were the last team in the NFL this season to find their new head coach.

“It took longer than we anticipated simply because the Eagles kept winning,” Loomis explained. “Kellen’s background and achievements as a player and coach have equipped him thoroughly for this role.”

It’s been an incredible week for Moore, who spent the lead-up to the Super Bowl at the Saints’ facility, which served as the practice site for the Eagles. He celebrated the Super Bowl in what is usually the Saints’ locker room and from the home sideline, preceding his new commitment to the organization.

“This area feels truly special for my family, especially with the opportunities we’ve had recently,” said Moore. “We can’t wait to settle in and make it our home.”

Moore plans to handle play-calling duties similar to his predecessor, Payton. He maintains that while he has his own philosophies, it’s critical to adapt his strategies and calls based on the strengths of the players available.

“Whether we need to throw the ball 50 times or run it 50 times, my focus is on winning football games based on our roster,” he noted.

Growing up, Moore aspired to follow in the footsteps of his father, Tom, who was a long-time high school coach in Prosser, Washington. After a successful college career at Boise State, Moore spent six years in the NFL, primarily as a backup quarterback, before transitioning to coaching with the Dallas Cowboys in 2018.

At just over 30 years old, he found himself as a coach in a training camp filled with former teammates. He insists that his youth was never a hindrance and remains confident that it won’t be an issue moving forward.

“It’s about being genuine and consistent. The players need to feel that you are committed to helping them become the best version of themselves,” Moore explained.

After one season as quarterbacks coach, he was promoted to offensive coordinator at age 31, a role he has also filled with the Los Angeles Chargers and the Eagles in subsequent seasons.

His experiences in these recent positions have pushed him out of his comfort zone, which Moore sees as essential for growth.

While he enjoyed his time working under Nick Sirianni in Philadelphia, he considered the opportunity with the Saints too significant to overlook.

He admitted to being impressed by the Saints from a distance, despite their struggles during the previous season, affected heavily by injuries—including Carr missing seven games, all of which resulted in losses for New Orleans.

“Clearly, injuries were a challenge, and those can be uncontrollable factors,” he acknowledged. “We want to harness the positive aspects while methodically building this franchise the right way.”