The Saints released Dennis Allen with a seven-game losing streak

Dennis Allen was fired as head coach of the New Orleans Saints today after the team suffered its seventh straight loss.

Allen was 18-25 with the Saints, who won their first two games this season handily over the Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys, before their current nosedive began.

The Saints named special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

In a team press release, Saints owner Gayle Benson said the decision to fire Allen was “very difficult for me and our organization” but “I felt we had to make it at this time.”

New Orleans (2-7) lost 23-22 at Carolina on Sunday, blowing a lead and becoming the first team in 20 seasons to lose despite having an offensive lead of more than 150 yards rushing and Marge won the ball when it was lost.

The Saints released a statement from Allen thanking Benson, general manager Mickey Loomis, coaches, players and fans.

“The organization will always be close to my heart and I am disappointed that the results were not better,” he said.

“…I realize what a privilege it is to coach a special franchise in a great city and I will fondly remember the opportunity I had to coach the Saints. I wish everyone at the Saints good luck and success for the future.”

Allen, 52, was promoted from his defensive coordinator post in 2022 to replace Sean Payton as Loomis cited his familiarity with the culture and roster as a key factor in the decision.

“This season we have had an avalanche of injuries,” Loomis said in the release. “It took its toll. DA never offered excuses, he fought every day for this organization and this team and that is what makes today disappointing. Dennis has been an integral part of this team's success for almost 20 years. We will miss him.”

Allen was fired as head coach of the then-Oakland Raiders after an 0-4 start in 2014 and then spent seven seasons as Payton's defensive coordinator in New Orleans.

In two stints spanning parts of six seasons as head coach, Allen has never led a team to the playoffs.

Allen joins Robert Saleh of the New York Jets (October 8) as the second NFL coach to be fired this season.