pgzen Dennis Allen becomes the new head coach of the New Orleans Saints after Sunday’s loss to the Carolina Panthers.

The New Orleans Saints have confirmed the firing of Dennis Allen following a 22-23 loss to the division rival Carolina Panthers, which saw the team drop to 2-7, and have appointed special teams coach Darren Rizzi as interim head coach, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports. pgzen

“Dennis has been a part of our organization for many years. He is highly regarded in the NFL. He is extremely loyal and professional, and most importantly, he has been an excellent football coach for us. All of which makes today difficult for me and our organization,” Saints owner Gayle Benson said in a statement.

‘However, this decision is one I feel we need to make now. I wish Dennis and his family all the best in the future. He will always have the utmost respect from me and everyone in our organization.’

Allen worked as the Saints’ defensive coordinator from 2015-2021 before stepping up to become the Saints’ new head coach in 2022 after Sean Payton left the club. Over the past two and a half years, the 52-year-old has posted an 18-25 record in 43 games (.419). 

“I would like to take this opportunity to first thank Gayle Benson for the opportunity to be the head coach of the New Orleans Saints,” Allen said in a statement. “The organization will always be in my heart, and I am disappointed that it didn’t work out. I also want to thank Mickey Loomis for the support he and his team have provided throughout my time with the organization.” 

‘I am proud to have worked with some great coaches, both as an assistant and during my time as head coach. I am sincerely grateful to those men for the time and effort they put into their jobs. I am also grateful to the entire staff who worked so hard to support me and will miss our daily interactions.’  ( pgzen )