Beyond the Visor: Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis

Pay-loo.

Wil-mis-pay.

The Mickster.

Mickey Loomis has many names here on Canal Street Chronicles, but no matter what you call him, he has achieved unparalleled success in the annals of the history of New Orleans Saints general managers (which isn't saying much, I know...).

Make the jump to learn more about the career of Mickey Loomis.

Since 2002, when Mickey Loomis was promoted to General Manager, the Saints have gone 77-67 in the regular season, with a 4-2 playoff record. This includes two NFC South titles, two NFC Championship Game appearances (with one win), and a Super Bowl victory. It also includes two "Executive of the Year" awards given him in 2006 - one by Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers of America and another by the NFL owners and executives. That's not a bad track record, especially considering the track records of previous Saints GMs.

But how did he get here? What put the 'Mick' in Mickey Loomis? Read on to find out.

Loomis is a native of Eugene, Oregon. He graduated from Willamette High School (Wolverines, ATTACK!!!) in Eugene in 1974, was a cager (using the second definition) at Northwest Christian College (Go Beacons!), and eventually graduated from the University of Oregon (Go Ducks? Go Beavers? I can never remember) with an undergraduate degree in accounting. Wichita State University (Go Shockers!) was his grad school home, and it is here that he earned a masters degree in sports administration.

He cut his NFL front office teeth for 15 years (1983-1998) with the Seattle Seahawks, moving from business manager to vice president/finance, to executive vice president.

I'm not sure what Loomis did in 1999, but he came to the Saints in 2000 (following the ouster of the Kuharich/Ditka regime) as the Director of Football Administration. In this job, he dealt with contract negotiations, salary cap jibberjabber, and coordination of the football operations.

In 2002, following the unceremonious poop-canning of then-GM Randy Mueller,  Loomis was bumped up to Head Honcho, or General Manager of Football Operations, adding the Executive VP title later in that year. His responsibilities now also encompassing coaching, player personnel and scouting, athletic training, equipment, video and communications.

Mickey is married to Melanie, and they have four children - Alex, Katherine, Sam and Lucy.

Source material for this piece:

Staff Bio page from neworleanssaints.com

Super Bowl Sunday 2010 feature story from The Oregonian

Super Bowl Saturday 2010 feature story from NCU athletics site: gobeacons.com