The New Orleans Saints have parted ways with head coach Dennis Allen after two seasons, the team announced Monday. Special Teams Coordinator Darren Rizzi has been appointed as the interim head coach.
Allen, who became the 17th head coach in franchise history on Feb. 8, 2022, said he was both grateful for the position and disappointed with the outcome, in a statement following his dismissal.
“I want to take this opportunity to first and foremost thank Gayle Benson for the opportunity to be the head coach of the New Orleans Saints,” Allen said. “The organization will always be near and dear to my heart and I am disappointed the results weren’t better.”
The decision comes after a challenging season underscored by numerous injuries, which Saints Executive Vice President and General Manager Mickey Loomis acknowledged had taken a toll on the team’s performance.
“DA is an excellent football coach,” Loomis said. “DA has never offered excuses, he fought each day for this organization and this team and that is what makes today disappointing.”
Allen’s tenure with the Saints spans nearly two decades, having served in various coaching roles before his appointment as head coach. In his statement, he said he was thankful for the coaches and staff he worked alongside, as well as the players and fans.
“To every player, thank you for your efforts and contributions,” he said. “As I said on Sunday, I never questioned your dedication and resolve and I am sorry the results weren’t better, because they were certainly deserved.”
Saints Owner Gayle Benson said the decision was difficult, especially with Allen’s long-standing relationship with the organization, where he has proven both loyal and professional.
“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,” Benson said. “All of this makes today very tough for me and our organization.”
Despite the change in leadership, Allen’s impact on the Saints organization nonetheless remains significant, according to Loomis.
“Dennis has been an integral part of this organization’s success for the better part of twenty years. He will be missed,” he said.
Allen’s coaching career spans 27 years, with 21 of those in the NFL, according to his biography. He joined the Saints organization in 2006 as an assistant defensive line coach and worked his way up to defensive coordinator, a position he held for six and a half seasons before being promoted to head coach.
During his time as defensive coordinator, Allen’s units consistently ranked among the league’s best. In 2021, his defense ranked first in the NFL in opponent red zone touchdown percentage and fourth in scoring defense. The team also maintained a streak of 22 regular season and postseason contests without allowing a 100-yard rusher, the longest in the NFL at the time.
Under Allen, the Saints dominated in defense for multiple seasons. In 2020, his defense tied for first in interceptions and ranked fourth in opponent net yards per game. The 2019 Saints ranked third in the league in sacks and fourth in run defense.
Prior to his time with the Saints, Allen served as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders from 2012-2014 and as the defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos in 2011. His coaching career also included stints with the Atlanta Falcons and at the collegiate level with Texas A&M and the University of Tulsa.
As the Saints move forward with Rizzi as interim head coach, the organization has not announced any additional coaching changes at this time. The search for a permanent replacement is expected to begin in the coming weeks.