The New Orleans Saints Fired Head Coach Dennis Allen and Fans Rejoiced

Seven losses in a row proved to be too much for New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen. The second-year coach was fired by the franchise Monday morning in the aftermath of a 23-22 loss to the Carolina Panthers. New Orleans named Special Teams Coordinator Darren Rizzi interim head coach as a result of the dismissal.

“Dennis has been part of our organization for many years. 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,” Saints owner Gayle Benson announced via a press release. “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.”

Allen had been with the Saints since 2015 when he was hired as a defensive assistant following a three-year stint as head coach of the Oakland Raiders. Ironically, he was also quarterback Derek Carr’s head coach in Oakland, though their New Orleans reunion failed to produce a playoff appearance. The squad started the season 2-0, but has lost seven in a row since.

His firing is the first time the team has let go of a coach midseason since 1980, a year when Dick Nolan was fired after starting 0-12. This is the first time Benson has fired a coach in the middle of a season as owner.

Saints fans were quick to take to social media to react to the Monday morning news drop.

Derek Carr the only QB to get his head coach fired from two different teams in the NFL (Raiders, Saints) I know Dennis Allen has to be asking himself he bet on you again and it failed. Derek got paid and Dennis got fired as expected cold world its a lesson who you do favors for

— JBoogz (@JeremyB69994883) November 4, 2024

Me liking every post about Dennis Allen being fired. pic.twitter.com/Ar25E8zuRH

— Mr. Magaa (@TimJohn78871441) November 4, 2024

Even when we lost, we still won. No more Dennis Allen.

— Samuel Keys (@SamKeys601) November 4, 2024

The @Saints finally made a smart decision in firing Dennis Allen, one of the worst coaches we’ve ever seen #Saints #NFL #NewOrleans

— For The Love of Sports (@FTLoveofSports_) November 4, 2024

Dennis Allen was an excellent Defense coordinator. That is where he should have stayed, in his lane. He was NOT an excellent head football coach. He had no drive, he lost the locker room, and most of all, he lost the #WhoDatNation. 🏈 https://t.co/aYGEFDaZWO

— L. Lee (@MissingNOLA) November 4, 2024

Allen had the difficult task of replacing Sean Payton as head coach after his legendary tenure in NOLA, and took up the job with no prior playoff experience. Though it took several years to get his own staff and system in place, the results have not followed. The Saints rank 28th in the league in defensive yards allowed with 376.4 yards per game, and they’ve been a middle-of-the-pack offense averaging 23 points per contest. Some believed the Allen firing is a sign of more changes to come.

#IDontWantToOverreactBUT firing Dennis Allen is just the tip of the iceberg. The Saints need to start prepping for a full rebuild. Carr isn’t the next Brees, and Rattler isn’t the answer (yet). Trade some high value players, get draft picks.

— TheSlay3r247 (@loco_storm) November 4, 2024

Love it! Dennis Allen lost the city when he apologized for running the score up on the Falcons. Even his defense was getting to the point of being unreliable when it mattered. The organization needs to clean house…Loomis needs to be next

— It’s all a joke (@FOREWayyyRight) November 4, 2024

Allen is the second head coach to be fired this year, joining Robert Saleh of the Jets. The 52-year-old was 18-25 in two and a half seasons as coach. New Orleans will have to regroup, as it hosts a difficult divisional matchup with the first place Atlanta Falcons Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.