In a significant midseason shake-up, the New Orleans Saints have parted ways with head coach Dennis Allen following a seventh consecutive loss, the team confirmed on Monday. Special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi has been appointed interim head coach.
The decision comes after a 23-22 defeat to the Carolina Panthers, marking the Saints’ first seven-game losing streak since 1999, a season that ended with a 3-13 record and the firing of then-coach Mike Ditka and general manager Bill Kuharich. This midseason dismissal is also the first under Saints owner Gayle Benson since she took over the team, and the first for the franchise since Tom Benson purchased the team in 1985.
Allen’s departure follows a tenure marked by inconsistency. After succeeding Sean Payton in 2022, Allen compiled an 18-25 record and failed to guide the team to the playoffs. Despite initial optimism, Allen’s tenure struggled to gain momentum amid personnel challenges, coaching decisions, and a rash of injuries that plagued the 2024 season.
A Legacy of Mixed Results
Allen’s connection to New Orleans spans nearly two decades. Initially hired in 2006 as an assistant defensive line coach under Payton, Allen was promoted to secondary coach in 2008 and contributed to the team’s Super Bowl victory in 2009. He left in 2011 to serve as the Denver Broncos’ defensive coordinator before taking on head coaching duties with the Oakland Raiders from 2012 to 2014, where he posted an 8-28 record and was dismissed after an 0-4 start to his third season.
Returning to the Saints in 2015 as senior defensive assistant and later defensive coordinator, Allen revitalized the team’s defense. However, the step up to head coach in 2022 proved difficult. General Manager Mickey Loomis, who had publicly defended Allen in past seasons, expressed disappointment with the move.
“Dennis has been an integral part of this organization’s success for the better part of twenty years. This season’s avalanche of injuries took its toll, and DA fought every day for this organization,” Loomis said. “He will be missed.”
Questionable Decisions and Key Departures
Several pivotal decisions under Allen’s leadership contributed to the Saints’ struggles. One major move involved retaining Pete Carmichael as offensive coordinator in 2022, who struggled to replicate the dynamic offensive play-calling of the Payton era. Carmichael was eventually let go after the 2023 season, replaced by Klint Kubiak, whose offense showed initial promise in 2024 before injuries to key players, including quarterback Derek Carr, hampered consistency.
Speaking of Carr, the Saints made headlines with the quarterback’s four-year, $150 million contract in 2023. While Carr’s arrival brought hope after underwhelming performances by Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton in 2022, injuries and clashes with teammates marred his tenure. Despite a strong start in 2024, Carr’s injury issues resurfaced, complicating the team’s efforts to regain stability.
Allen’s personnel decisions also came under scrutiny. The departure of defensive mainstays like Kaden Elliss and David Onyemata to the Atlanta Falcons, who now lead the NFC South, weakened the Saints’ defense. Additionally, the team’s continued reliance on wide receiver Michael Thomas, despite his injury struggles, was a contentious issue. Thomas played in only 13 out of a possible 34 games during Allen’s leadership, leading to inconsistent wide receiver depth.
A New Chapter Under Darren Rizzi
Rizzi, who has served as the Saints’ special teams coordinator since 2019, steps into the role as interim head coach. Known for his strategic acumen, Rizzi has led one of the league’s more reliable special teams units. The decision to appoint Rizzi signals a potential shift in the team’s approach as they look to salvage what remains of the 2024 season.
The Saints’ fan base, already vocal about their dissatisfaction, has expressed frustration at the team’s prolonged struggles. A scene that underscored this discontent occurred in Week 7 when fans left the Caesars Superdome en masse during a 33-10 loss to the Denver Broncos, then led by former Saints coach Sean Payton.
As the Saints navigate the rest of the season, questions about the future loom large. Whether Rizzi can spark a turnaround or whether the organization will look outside for new leadership after the season ends remains to be seen. What is clear is that New Orleans is at a crossroads, seeking a return to the stability and success of the past.