Jim Finks

College:Tulsa

Position:General Manager

Height: 5' 11" Weight:180lb

Born:August 31, 1927 in St. Louis, Missouri

Joined saints:1986

Years with Saints:1986 - 1992

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Background: In 1986, Jim Finks took over as general manager of franchise that had never experienced a winning season in its 19-year history. His first move was to hire Jim Mora as his head coach. In their second season (1987) with the Saints, Finks and Mora’s charges won 12 games for the organization’s first winning season. Finks was named NFL Executive of the Year. In 1991, the Saints captured their first-ever division crown. The organization would make four playoff appearances in Finks’ sevens seasons before lung cancer forced him into retirement and ultimately took his life. Prior to taking over the reins of the Saints organization, Finks served as the general manager of the Minnesota Vikings (1964-73) and the Chicago Bears (1974-82). During his time with the Vikings, they established a fearsome defensive known as the “Purple People Eaters.” He was named NFL Executive of the Year in 1973 after the Vikings defeated the Dallas Cowboys to reach the Super Bowl. When he joined the Bears in 1974, he was their first true general manager as owner George Halas had made the majority of football decisions for their existence. Finks modernized the team and in 1977, the Bears made the playoffs for the first time since 1963.