Saints announce death of longtime equipment manager Dan Simmons: 'He will be greatly missed'

Dan Simmons, who spent much than 4 decades arsenic the New Orleans Saints instrumentality manager, died connected Friday, the squad confirmed. He was 78.

Simmons was successful St. Louis, his hometown, astatine the clip of his passing.

Simmons, who was affectionately called "Chief," was a cherished subordinate of the enactment and oversaw the team's instrumentality procedures for 42 years. He retired successful 2014. Simmons besides spent a decennary arsenic the Saints alumni and legends coordinator.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

(Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports)

Upon his retirement, Simmons became the longest-tenured worker successful Saints history.

Saints Owner Gayle Benson released a connection connected behalf of the full enactment soon aft the passing of Simmons.

SUPER BOWL CHAMPION MATT STEVENS DEAD AT 51, FAMILY SAYS

"Our thoughts are with Elaine and the Simmons household arsenic we person suffered a important nonaccomplishment with the passing of Dan. He played an integral relation successful the regular operations of the instrumentality country and locker room," the connection reads.

 "Dan was a arrogant New Orleans Saint and touched the lives of thousands of players, coaches and unit members passim his tenure, making important contributions to this franchise. He volition beryllium greatly missed."

Simmons served successful the Navy and was a Vietnam veteran.

(Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images)

Former Saints backmost Archie Manning described Simmons arsenic "the precise best"

"Dan was the best, conscionable the precise best," Manning said successful a connection obtained by The Times-Picayune. "He was truthful benignant and saccharine and humble. He conscionable did his occupation and ne'er sought attention. If everyone with the Saints had done their jobs arsenic good arsenic Chief did erstwhile I played, we would person won Super Bowls."

Caesars Superdome (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)

Simmons was connected manus for a combined 858 Saints preseason, regular play and postseason games during his clip arsenic the team's caput instrumentality manager. 

He besides held the presumption during the 2009 play erstwhile New Orleans defeated the Indianapolis Colts to triumph the archetypal Super Bowl rubric successful franchise history.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Simmons is survived by his wife, Elaine, their 3 children and 4 grandchildren.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports sum connected X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.