Jim Haslett

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James Donald "Jim" Haslett (born December 9, 1955 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is the defensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams. He is the former head coach of the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League.

[edit] Playing career

He attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and was selected in the second round of the 1979 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. He was a linebacker for the Buffalo Bills until 1985, and played with the New York Jets in 1987. [1] He was awarded Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1979.

[edit] Coaching career

[edit] New Orleans Saints

He was named head coach of the New Orleans Saints in January, 2000. That season, he guided the Saints to a 10-6 regular-season record, their second NFC West title, and the first playoff victory in team history as they defeated the St. Louis Rams, before falling to the Minnesota Vikings the following week. As a result of the Saints' turnaround from their previous 3-13 season under previous head coach Mike Ditka, Haslett was named NFL Coach of the Year.

In 2005, Haslett's sixth and final year with the Saints, the team stumbled to a 3-13 record after Hurricane Katrina forced the team to temporarily relocate their operations to San Antonio, Texas, and play three of their home games there (in the Alamodome), four in Baton Rouge at LSU's Tiger Stadium, and one at Giants Stadium in New Jersey against the New York Giants. Despite Haslett's strong leadership during a difficult season marred with extensive traveling and substandard practicing conditions in San Antonio, it was not enough to save his job.

[edit] Personal

Haslett once owned a horse ranch in Gasport, NY called the 'Double Nickel'. It was named after his playing number 55.