Dennis Allen fired: 5 Saints head coach candidates
NEW ORLEANS (BVM) – The New Orleans Saints have fired head coach Dennis Allen following a disappointing 2-7 start to the 2024 season. Allen spent two-and-a-half seasons as head coach in New Orleans and will temporarily be replaced by special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi who has been named the team’s interim head coach.
#Saints assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi is expected to be the new interim coach, source said. https://t.co/pDJiDMUhPH
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 4, 2024
Allen has been with the Saints since 2015 and was the team’s defensive coordinator from 2016-21. He was promoted to head coach following Sean Payton’s departure in 2022 but the franchise has failed to find its footing since, hovering around .500 the last two seasons.
It appeared 2024 might be a breakthrough campaign in New Orleans following an impressive 2-0 start, but the Saints have dropped their last seven games as injuries have mounted, culminating with a disappointing divisional loss on Sunday to the Panthers.
Allen went just 18-25 during his time in New Orleans and is 26-53 overall as a head coach in the NFL after a failed stint with the Raiders around a decade ago.
Now, New Orleans will begin a search for its next leader with some talented pieces still in place on its roster. Here are five head coach candidates for the Saints.