The New Orleans Saints fired coach Dennis Allen on Monday, a day after the team suffered its seventh consecutive loss. The Saints lost 23-22 to the Carolina Panthers, the only team in the NFC South that had a worse record than New Orleans.
The Saints opened the season by beating the Panthers 47-10 and Dallas Cowboys 44-19. But they haven’t won since, and even the return of starting quarterback Derek Carr on Sunday after a three-game injury absence didn’t end New Orleans’ longest losing streak since the 1999 season.
“Dennis has been part of our organization for many years,” said Gayle Benson, the Saints’ owner, in a statement released by the team. “He is highly regarded within the NFL. He has been extremely loyal and professional and, most importantly, an excellent football coach for us. All of this makes today very tough for me and our organization. However, this decision is something that I felt we needed to make at this time. I wish nothing but the best in the future for Dennis and his family. He will always be considered in the highest regard by me and everyone within our organization.”
The Saints play the Atlanta Falcons at noon CST Sunday at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans in another NFC South game. Special-teams coordinator Darren Rizzi will be the interim head coach.
Allen became the Saints’ coach in 2022 after serving as the team’s defensive coordinator for seven seasons under Sean Payton. He had an 18-25 record with New Orleans.
“DA is an excellent football coach,” said Mickey Loomis, the Saints’ general manager, in a statement released by the team. “This season, we have had an avalanche of injuries. It took its toll. DA has never offered excuses. He fought each day for this organization and this team, and that is what makes today disappointing. Dennis has been an integral part of this organization’s success for the better part of 20 years. He will be missed.”
Allen also was the Oakland Raiders’ coach from 2012 through the fourth game of the 2014 season and compiled an 8-28 record.
The current Saints rank among the bottom five defenses in the NFL in points allowed, yards allowed and passing yards allowed.
