The New Orleans Saints have made another midseason change after a 2-7 start to the season. The team has fired head coach Dennis Allen.
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NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo first reported the news on Monday morning. They added that assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi is expected to be the interim head coach as the team tries to find someone who can match or surpass Sean Payton's run of success.
"Dennis has been part of our organization for many years," team owner Gayle Benson said in a statement. "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."
Allen's time with the Saints ends with a 18-25 record. The team went 7-10 in 2022, Allen's first season as the head coach. They finished third in the NFC South. The team then went 9-8 last season before finishing second in the division.
The Saints kicked off this season on a high note. They beat the Panthers 47-10 in the opening week of the season. Quarterback Derek Carr threw for three touchdowns while operating Klint Kubiak's offense. The Saints then beat the Cowboys 44-19 in Week 2.
This win against the Cowboys ended the hot start. The Saints lost close games to the Eagles and Falcons. Carr then sustained an oblique injury against the Chiefs. This kept him out of the lineup for three games as the Saints continued to lose.
Carr returned to the lineup last weekend for the rematch against the Panthers. He threw one touchdown pass but Bryce Young led the Panthers to a one-point win. The Saints fell to 2-7 while the Panthers moved to 2-7.
This loss was the final factor that contributed to the team making a midseason change. They fired Allen as the team's playoff chances continued to dwindle.
The Saints have 10 playoff appearances since 2000. Jim Haslett led the team to a 10-6 record in 2000, but the team fell to the Vikings in the Divisional Roun.
Payton, who now coaches the Broncos, led the Saints to nine playoff appearances. The team won the Super Bowl in the 2009 season and made it to the NFC Championship two other times (2006 and 2018).
The Saints' final playoff appearance under Payton was in 2020. The team reached the Divisional Round with a 12-4 record but lost to Tom Brady and the Buccaneers.
