Dan "Chief" Simmons

Dan Patrick “Chief” Simmons (July 9, 1946 – March 28, 2025) was one of the most enduring figures in the history of the New Orleans Saints, serving the organization for more than five decades and spending 42 seasons as its head equipment manager. Though rarely visible to fans, Simmons became a foundational presence inside the franchise, respected across the NFL for his professionalism, institutional knowledge, and steady leadership.

Early life and entry into professional football

Simmons was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and served four years in the U.S. Navy, including duty during the Vietnam War. He later attended Meramec College. Football equipment management was a family trade: his father, Bill Simmons, worked for more than two decades as equipment manager for the St. Louis Cardinals (NFL). Dan Simmons learned the craft by assisting his father, gaining firsthand experience in the logistical and technical demands of running an NFL equipment operation.

On April 1, 1973, Simmons was hired by the Saints, beginning a tenure that would span nearly the entire modern history of the franchise.

Head equipment manager of the Saints

Simmons became the Saints’ head equipment manager shortly after joining the club and held that position through the 2014 season. Over 42 seasons in the role, he worked thousands of practices and hundreds of games, overseeing everything from uniforms and helmets to travel logistics and sideline operations. The Saints later described him as the longest-tenured employee in franchise history at the time of his retirement.

The job required absolute precision and adaptability. Simmons was known for his meticulous attention to detail, which was vital, as equipment managers operate at the intersection of league regulations, player safety, and individual preference. Players depended on him to know exactly how their gear should fit and feel, while coaches relied on him to ensure that equipment never became a distraction on game day. His calm demeanor and authority earned him the nickname “Chief,” a title used with genuine affection throughout the locker room.

Playoff years and championship season

During Simmons’ tenure, the Saints evolved from a struggling expansion-era team into a perennial contender. He served the equipment needs of 10 Saints playoff teams and was part of the organization during its first (and to date only) Super Bowl XLIV championship following the 2009 season.

While championships are publicly credited to players and coaches, Simmons’ role was widely understood inside the organization as essential. The consistency of the Saints’ football operations during their most successful era owed much to long-serving staff members like him, whose work created stability behind the scenes.

League and organizational recognition

Simmons’ contributions were recognized both by the Saints and by his peers around the league. In 2010, he and longtime assistant Glennon “Silky” Powell were honored with the Joe Gemelli Fleur-De-Lis Award as contributors to the Saints Hall of Fame.

He and his equipment staff were also selected twice for the Whitey Zimmerman Memorial Award, a peer-voted honor recognizing excellence among NFL equipment staffs.

In 2022, Simmons received an Award of Excellence from the Pro Football Hall of Fame, part of a program created to honor non-playing contributors whose work is vital to the game.

Retirement and alumni work

After the 2014 season, Simmons retired as head equipment manager and transitioned into a new role with the Saints as alumni and legends coordinator. In that position, he served as a bridge between former players and the organization, helping maintain relationships and supporting the NFL Legends program. According to the Saints, he spent roughly a decade in this role, remaining an active presence at the team’s facility and events.

Legacy

Dan “Chief” Simmons’ legacy is defined less by statistics than by trust. Across more than 50 years with one franchise, he became a living archive of Saints history and a standard for how behind-the-scenes roles should be performed. Players, coaches, and fellow staff members consistently described him as dependable, fair, and deeply committed to the team.

When the Saints announced his passing on March 28, 2025, they described him not just as an employee, but as family—a sentiment that reflected how thoroughly Simmons had woven himself into the fabric of the organization. In a league defined by constant change, Dan “Chief” Simmons was a rare constant, and his influence continues to shape the culture he helped build.

Dan "Chief" Simmons of the New Orleans Saints