Saints fire Dennis Allen, name Rizzi interim head coach

The New Orleans Saints have fired head coach Dennis Allen, the team announced Monday.

Assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi has been named interim head coach. Rizzi has been New Orleans' special teams coordinator since 2021.

"This decision is something that I felt we needed to make at this time," owner Gayle Benson said in a statement. "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 move comes after a 23-22 loss to the Carolina Panthers that dropped the Saints to 2-7 on the season. New Orleans has lost seven straight games after a 2-0 start.

Allen was hired to replace longtime head coach Sean Payton in 2022 after previously serving as Payton's defensive coordinator from 2015-21. He posted an 18-25 record in 43 games as Saints head coach.

"The organization will always be near and dear to my heart, and I am disappointed the results weren't better," Allen said in a statement.

He added: "To the Saints fans and residents of New Orleans, I want to thank you for your unwavering passion and support of the team. I realize what a privilege it is to coach a special franchise in a great city."

This marks the second time Allen has been fired as head coach in the middle of a season. He served as the Oakland Raiders' head boss from 2012-14 and was let go after starting 0-4 in his final campaign. Current Saints starter Derek Carr was also his quarterback in Oakland the year he was dismissed.

New Orleans struggled to get consistent offensive production under Allen. The Saints rank 20th in EPA/play since 2022 while averaging 22 points per game. They've had four starting quarterbacks during Allen's tenure: Jameis Winston, Andy Dalton, Carr, and Spencer Rattler.

Carr, 33, was signed to a four-year, $150-million contract with $100 million fully guaranteed in 2023. He has an 11-12 record in 23 starts with New Orleans, throwing for 5,103 yards with 34 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Out of 28 signal-callers who have taken at least 500 snaps since 2023, Carr ranks 18th in EPA/play and success rate, per Ben Baldwin's database.

Allen is the third head coach that general manager Mickey Loomis has hired since joining the club in 2002. New Orleans has consistently been in cap trouble under Loomis and has had to restructure contracts to get cap-compliant before the start of seasons. The Saints currently have minus-$61.5 million in cap space for 2025, according to Over the Cap.

With the trade deadline on Tuesday, Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore is among the players teams have called the Saints inquiring about, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

New Orleans will face off against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 10.