Dennis Allen: Saints fire coach after 7th straight loss
NEW ORLEANS –
The New Orleans Saints made a significant decision on Monday by parting ways with coach Dennis Allen following a disappointing loss to the Carolina Panthers. This loss marked the Saints’ seventh consecutive defeat, their longest losing streak since 1999.
General manager Mickey Loomis expressed his respect for Allen, stating, “DA is an excellent football coach. This season has been challenging with a multitude of injuries taking a toll on the team. Despite the circumstances, DA never made excuses and gave his all for the organization and the team.”
In the wake of Allen’s departure, the Saints have appointed special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi as the interim coach for the remaining eight games of the season. This move comes as the Saints face the likelihood of missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year, with a current record of 2-7.
Allen’s tenure with the Saints saw him achieve an 18-25 record without a playoff appearance since taking over in 2022 after the departure of legendary coach Sean Payton. He was initially promoted by GM Mickey Loomis after serving as the team’s defensive coordinator for six seasons, during which the defense ranked in the top 10 in the NFL in 2020 and 2021.
Saints owner Gayle Benson acknowledged Allen’s dedication to the organization, stating, “Dennis has been a loyal and professional part of our team for many years. While this decision was difficult, it was one that I felt was necessary at this time.”
Despite the success of the defense under Allen, the offense has struggled in critical moments of games, leading to inconsistent performances. This season, with Klint Kubiak as the new offensive coordinator, the Saints started strong but have since faltered, especially due to a string of key injuries.
The team has faced significant setbacks with injuries to essential players like centre Erik McCoy, quarterback Derek Carr, and top receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. The absence of key defensive players like Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo has also impacted the team’s performance.
Despite outgaining the Panthers in yardage in their recent loss, the Saints were unable to secure a victory, showcasing their struggles to capitalize on offensive opportunities.
Allen’s hopes of leading the Saints to the playoffs this season were dashed as the offense failed to maintain its early-season momentum. The team’s offense has dropped to 16th in yards per game, while the defense has fallen to 28th in yards allowed per game.
With a coaching record of 26-53 in the NFL, including his time with the Oakland Raiders, Allen’s future as a head coach remains uncertain. Despite his accomplishments as a defensive coordinator, his chances of securing another head coaching position may be limited.
