On this day in Saints history-January 27th 1967—Tom Fears is named first-ever Saints head coach. He is recognized as being the first head coach in NFL history of Hispanic descent. Fears had been an assistant with the Packers & Falcons, he also earned hall of fame credentials as a Rams wide receiver in the 1950s. Owner John Mecom Jr. also assigns Larry Karl (formerly of Dallas) as executive assistant to the Saints organizing committee (a de facto form of General Manager). The Saints also announce their first-ever training camp will be held at Cal-Western University in San Diego starting July 1st. Mecom also buys the United Fruit Company building at Lee Circle as use for the Saints administrative offices. 1969—Ed Biles steps down as head coach of Xavier University to become an assistant coach with the Saints under the title of Administrative Coordinator where Biles will do some scouting & work with special teams and defensive backs. 1970—College draft is held with the Saints using their first round pick on wide receiver Ken Burrough from Texas Southern. Other players who made the regular season roster include Clovis Swinney (DE 3rd rd.), Delles Howell (CB 4th), Steve Ramsey (QB 5th), Lawrence Estes (DE 8th), Jim Otis (FB 9th), Doug Sutherland (DE 14th), and Doug Wyatt (S 17th rd.). 1971—Saints hire Jim Champion as defensive line coach & defensive coordinator. 1977—Saints executive vice-president Dick Gordon is released after five seasons, he would move on to work in some of owner John Mecom’s other business interests. 1978—Saints head coach Hank Stram is fired after two seasons at the helm. He is informed while working at the Saints David Drive office by Saints V.P.s Eddie Jones & Harry Hulmes plus attorney Bud Holmes. 1980—Running back Chuck Muncie is named MVP of the Pro Bowl in Hawaii, other Saints in that Pro Bowl include QB Archie Manning, WR Wes Chandler, TE Henry Childs, and S Tom Myers. NFC wins 37-27. 1985—Linebacker Rickey Jackson, defensive end Bruce Clark, and punter Brian Hansen play in the Pro Bowl. AFC wins 22-14. 1992—Clear Channel Communications properties WQUE-AM and FM become Saints flaghship stations for their radio network (contract ran thru 1994). 2000—Randy Mueller is hired as Saints general manager of football operations & Arnie Fielkow named director of non-football administration. 2013—Pro Bowl held in Honolulu, Hawaii featuring four Saints players—Guard Jahri Evans & punter Thomas Morstead were voted in on original ballot; QB Drew Brees was added late due to injury to Robert Griffin III (Washington) and tackle Jermon Bushrod was added due to 49ers Joe Staley playing the following week in Super bowl 47. NFC defeats AFC 62-35. Today’s birthdays: Jay Richardson—Born in 1984 (Linebacker 2013)
Posted on: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 04:49:20 +0000
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