New Orleans Saints Fire Head Coach Dennis Allen

The New Orleans Saints have terminated head coach Dennis Allen’s contract following the team’s seventh consecutive defeat of the season. Sunday’s narrow 23-22 loss to the Carolina Panthers marked the franchise’s most extended losing streak since 1999. Allen has a record of not guiding a team to the play-offs across his two tenures as a head coach. Allen’s departure comes after he failed to secure a play-off spot during his two-and-a-half seasons at the helm, accumulating 18 victories in 43 games. Darren Rizzi, the special teams coordinator, is set to assume the role of interim head coach for the remainder of the current campaign. Saints owner Gayle Benson issued a statement indicating that the choice to “part company” with Allen was “very tough” but ultimately one they “needed to make”. General manager Mickey Loomis further commented: “This season we have had an avalanche of injuries. It took its toll and Dennis Allen has never offered any excuses.” The 52-year-old Allen previously served as head coach for the then-Oakland Raiders for two years before transitioning to defensive coordinator for New Orleans. He then ascended to the primary coaching position in 2022, following Sean Payton’s resignation. Allen now stands as the second NFL coach to be relieved of his duties this season, following Robert Saleh’s dismissal by the New York Jets last month.