New Orleans Saints fire head coach Dennis Allen after shocking loss to league-worst Carolina Panthers

The New Orleans Saints have parted ways with head coach Dennis Allen, the team has confirmed. 

The move comes with New Orleans in the midst of a seven-game losing streak that has dropped them to the bottom of the NFC South at 2-7. 

Special Teams Coordinator Darren Rizzi has been promoted to interim head coach for the time being, according to a team statement. 

Allen was 18-25 as head coach following Sunday's gut-wrenching 23-22 loss to the lowly Carolina Panthers, who are now also 2-7. He'd previously served as head coach of in Oakland, where he went 8-28 with the Raiders over three seasons. He was promoted to head coach in New Orleans in 2022 when Super Bowl-winner Sean Payton opted to leave the organization. 

Interestingly, this marks the second time Allen has been fired with Derek Carr as his top quarterback.  

'Dennis has been part of our organization for many years, 'Saints Owner Gayle Benson said in a team 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.'

'DA is an excellent football coach,' said GM Mickey Loomis. 'This season, we have had an avalanche of injuries. It took its toll. DA has never offered excuses, he fought each day for this organization and this team and that is what makes today

Allen's dismissal is being seen as a message within the team facility. 

'That's a message heard loud and clear,' one player told ESPN regarding Allen's firing. 

Asked about his job security after Sunday's loss in Charlotte, Allen appeared to sidestep the question. 

'I just think we've got to be better,' Allen said.

When asked if he thinks he's doing his job, Allen said, 'obviously, when you're not winning, it's hard to say you are. I've got to be better for our guys. ... Here's what I'll say: I'm going to keep coming in every day and fighting my [butt] off just like I've done since I've been here.'

The Saints were hopeful on Sunday that Carr's return to the lineup following a three-game absence would give them a spark. Instead they lost to the Panthers, a team they throttled 47-10 in Week 1 at the Superdome. Carr threw for 200 yards and three TDs in that game.

'We've got good leadership in the room,' Allen said. 'We've got to do a better job playing, coaching and, hopefully, getting some guys healthy. It's going to be hard. It's going to be a challenge. But going through adversity like this reveals character. The only option is to stand up and fight.'

Allen said Carr looked 'rusty' in his return the starting lineup and the Saints were unable to close out despite leading 22-17 in the fourth quarter. And when the Saints needed to only to get into field goal range in the final 2:18 to win, they couldn't do it as Carr's fourth-and-4 pass to Cedrick Wilson was broken up.

'I didn't see a lot of issues throughout the week in practice,' Allen said. 'But obviously games are different than practice. Our plan was to come in here and run the football. And we were able to do that. I don't think we were able to get quite as much done in the passing game.'

Entering Sunday, teams that have outgained their opponents by more than 150 yards, ran for more than 150 yards and won the turnover battle were a combined 275-0 over the last 20 seasons, according to ESPN.

Make it 275-1.

The Saints wasted a terrific game from Alvin Kamara, who ran 29 times for 155 yards and caught six passes for 60 yards.

Carr said players were upset and 'baffled' after the loss.

'We should be winning these football games and we're not,' Carr said. 'For us, it's hard to swallow and it's hard to deal with. We have to keep picking each other up and keep moving forward. This one hurt. If I was our fans, I'd be (upset) right now, because we are too.'