Arnie Herber
The legendary Packers quarterback who became the Saints' first head coach during a turbulent inception.
Arnie Herber stands as a unique and somewhat ironic figure in New Orleans Saints lore: he is the franchise's first-ever head coach, yet his tenure was defined by the team's struggles before he ever set foot on their field. Before arriving in the Crescent City, Herber was already an established legend of professional football, having spent decades as one of the greatest quarterbacks and placekickers in NFL history during the 1930s and 40s. His appointment marked a desperate attempt by the Saints' original ownership to bring proven winning experience to a struggling expansion team.
- Role
- Head Coach
- Affiliation
- New Orleans Saints (First Head Coach)
- Tenure Years
- 1967–1968
- Previous Fame
- Green Bay Packers Hall of Famer
- Status
- Retired / Deceased
- Legacy Note
- Only coach to lead the Saints in their inaugural season
Lore & Background
His tenure as the Saints' first head coach is remembered not for victories, but for the sheer difficulty of the task. Leading a roster filled with undrafted free agents and cast-offs in the league's inaugural season was a monumental challenge. Herber guided the team through their very first game against the Minnesota Vikings, a loss that set the tone for a difficult early era. His departure after two seasons marked the end of an attempt to transplant old-school NFL wisdom into a new market.
In Their Own Story
The air in Tulane Stadium was thick with humidity and anticipation on September 10, 1967. Arnie Herber, a man who had once thrown touchdowns for Lambeau's Packers, stood on the sideline watching his new team take the field. The crowd roared for the Saints' debut, but Herber knew the reality of expansion football. As the whistle blew for the first play of franchise history, the legendary quarterback turned coach watched with a stoic gaze, knowing that building a dynasty would take far longer than a single season.
Reader's Guide
Arnie Herber's career statistics with the New Orleans Saints are defined by his two seasons as head coach from 1967 to 1968. He compiled a record of 4 wins and 20 losses, reflecting the immense challenges faced by an expansion team in its infancy. While he did not call plays on the field during this era, his signature contribution was simply being there to establish the program's first culture. His impact on the team culture was foundational yet brief; he represented a bridge between the NFL's golden age and the modern era of professional football. Herber brought discipline and experience, though the lack of talent depth made immediate success impossible. He coached the Saints' very first game, a historic moment regardless of the outcome. Post-retirement legacy is complex; while his win-loss record with New Orleans was poor, he remains a footnote in history as the man who started it all. His Hall of Fame status from his playing days overshadows his coaching tenure, yet without him, the Saints' narrative would lack its opening chapter.
Did You Know?
- Arnie Herber is one of only two players to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a player and later serve as an NFL head coach.
- He holds the distinction of being the first person ever hired as a head coach for the New Orleans Saints franchise.
- Before coaching, he was known as 'Mr. Football' for his versatility as both a quarterback and a placekicker in the 1930s.
- Herber's only win with the Saints came against the Atlanta Falcons during the 1968 season.