After 200 games under general manager Mickey Loomis, the New Orleans Saints win.
It seems like the art of negotiation ends at the front door, but it has proven to be immensely valuable for the New Orleans Saints.
“He’s the Saints’ GM, but the twins (13-year-old twins Sam and Lucy) are in so many sports, we call him Football Dad, Basketball Dad, Volleyball Dad,” Melanie Loomis laughed. Since he enjoys watching our children play, they also kind of view him that way. He also teaches math to us. That helps: he taught math to seventh graders.
“He’s actually had a job since he was 12 years old.”
Mickey Loomis has been the general manager of the Saints since 2002. He served as the team’s general manager from 2002 to 2012 and as executive vice president and general manager from 2013 to the present. Loomis is a cunning and composed leader who guided the team to its greatest period of success, which included winning Super Bowl XLIV.
For the New Orleans Saints, Loomis is unquestionably the end of the line.
And the line drawn from 2002 to the present reads as follows: Loomis has managed the Saints to 200 wins in the NFL regular season after Sunday’s 28-6 victory over Carolina.
In the modern era, only seven men have held the position of general manager and overseen 200 victories since the NFL’s founding in 1920: 409 victories as owner/general manager of the Raiders from 1966 to 2011; 265 victories as coach/general manager of the Patriots from 2000 to the present; 265 victories as owner/general manager of the Cowboys from 1989 to the present; 250 victories as general manager of the Cowboys from 1960 to 1988; 229 victories as general manager of the Bills (1986–1992), Panthers (1995–97), and Colts (1998–2009); 226 victories as pro personnel director/general manager of the Steelers from 2000 to 21; and 200 victories as executive vice president/general manager of the Ravens from 1996 to 2018.
Davis, Jones, Schramm, Polian, and Newsome are all in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and Belichick and Colbert will also be inducted.
“Consider the company he’s in,” remarked quarterback Drew Brees, who captained the Saints from 2006 to 20 and recorded 142 victories. “Those guys are all Hall of Famers. He most definitely fits into that group.”
Those closest to him are not surprised that he is in that company.
The eldest daughter of Loomis, Katherine, remarked, “He’s definitely competitive.” “I believe he is the source of my brother Alex’s and my competitive spirit. even now. We all want to win, for example, when shooting hoops. Nevertheless, we’re decent sports no matter what happens.”
“My dad is someone that my family and I are really proud of,” said Cowboys director of pro scouting Alex. Few people in the history of professional football have been able to accomplish this unique feat.
It took him many hours, a great deal of effort, devotion, and meticulous attention to detail to make the Saints a successful team from the day he was hired, and that is how he came to be 200 wins in this role.
When Loomis was promoted from director of football administration (2000–01) to general manager, Jim Haslett was the Saints head coach. He remained in that position until 2005. With the exception of 2012, when Joe Vitt and Aaron Kromer filled in as interim coaches, Sean Payton was the team’s head coach from 2006 until 2021. Dennis Allen has been in charge since 2022.
Loomis has been the football operation’s sounding board, voice of reason, and rock throughout, always remaining composed in the face of chaos. He has benefited greatly from this level-headed approach in both life and the competitive NFL environment.
“My dad is very intentional with his words, and I feel like he’s like that in his work life,” Katherine said. “As a dad, he doesn’t talk a ton, but I feel like when he does everyone listens.
“As I’ve gotten older and paid more attention to things that make him who he is, the type person that when you’re younger you don’t really think about, but now that I’m a mom myself I’m more aware of just the way he is. My dad is a very calming presence and I’ve always gone to him knowing I was going to get a level-headed – he’s sensitive, but he’s not emotional and doesn’t make emotional decisions.
Therefore, I believe that if you go to him for advice, you can be sure that he never says something just to say it because he is deliberate in what he says and methodical in what he considers. It’s really sincere, and I really value that quality in him. He’s so sensible that I can always ask him for advice or just a simple “Hey, am I on the right track?” regardless of the circumstance I’m in. I am aware that he won’t say anything to express it. Despite the fact that it might not be what I want to hear, he will deliver it in a kind manner that puts him in reach.”
Payton, who led the Saints to 152 victories while Loomis served as general manager, said, “I think the first thing that comes to my mind is just his steady, insistent demeanor.” It merely fosters an excellent workplace atmosphere. I never considered that to be given. I always got the impression that you trusted him straight away.
Even though our personalities differed, it was to our advantage. But with Mickey, it was always very deliberate and consistent. Our differences allowed us to get along really well. It was advantageous. In an industry where there are many ups and downs, he had a great way of ensuring that the downs weren’t too low and the ups weren’t too high. I think this is all due to his consistency and demeanor.
Melanie claimed that Mickey Loomis’s enduring quality is still his patience.
Indeed. She laughed and remarked, “He’s a big sucker.” Both children and animals are aware of it. “Take me to the card store, Dad.” I have to go to three different Target stores to get a snack, Dad. He really is your guy. He can be persuaded of anything by the kids. At four in the morning, even the cat wakes him up because she knows he will get up to let her outside.
But I believe that his even-keeled approach to winning and losing is a contributing factor to his gift. As usual, prepare for the following week.
The next game is next week, and it will be his opportunity to increase the total that put him in exclusive, elite NFL company.
Loomis, a general manager who was formerly a math teacher and now serves as a husband, father, and Paw Paw, isn’t thrilled about the attention. Most likely, he would much rather see the day go by like any other successful day that can soon be thrown on top of the other 199.
However, this one is unique. Only one more person—Hall of Famer Curly Lambeau—can be added to the list, even if football from the pre-modern era is taken into account. To commemorate the achievement, Saints owner Gayle Benson gave him a game ball on Sunday.
Given the erratic nature of the industry, this accomplishment might not be duplicated anytime soon. Even for those who aren’t always easily impressed, this is a noteworthy accomplishment.
They didn’t get to see the Super Bowl (XLIV, which the Saints won 31-17 over the Colts) because I was pregnant with the twins, Melanie said. Because they were inside my stomach, they tell their friends that they were at the Super Bowl.
But wait a minute, this is a really memorable time for them to be 13 years old. Dad is a fierce individual. That’s not how they view him. They say things like, ‘He’s always working.’
However, I believe it’s truly unique that they get to witness and feel the success as it happens. My son asked, “Do you think Dad will get to lead a Who Dat chant after he hits 200?” as soon as we told him.
There are at least 200 reasons for Loomis to do just that.
