Saints Fire Head Coach After a Dreadful 2-7 Start

Remember when the New Orleans Saints looked like the best team in football after the first two weeks of the regular season? After seven straight losses, and their most recent 23-22 loss to the Carolina Panthers, the Saints have decided to part ways with their head coach Dennis Allen. When the team lost four games in a row, many considered it was time for a coaching change. Saints assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi is expected to be the new interim head coach for New Orleans. While it’s certainly too late to eye for the playoffs, the Saints should look to turn things around with a new voice and leader in that head coach position.

During his three seasons in New Orleans, Allen had a record of 18-25, with no playoff appearances. Last season, the Saints had an opportunity to make the playoffs with a 9-8 record but lost tiebreakers to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Green Bay Packers. This season, the Saints started off the season hot, scoring over 40 points in both Week One and Two matchups. Yet, these seven straight losses have either come down to the wire, with the score coming between a touchdown or less or have been absolute blowouts. In back-to-back weeks, the Saints lost by a combined four points against the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Atlanta Falcons. The following two weeks, New Orleans was obliterated by the Bucs in a 51-27 matchup, and in a 33-10 onslaught against the Denver Broncos.

Before accepting the Saints head coaching position in 2021, Allen spent previous seasons as the Saints defensive coordinator under Sean Payton from 2015-2021. Under Rizzi, the Saints look to regain everything they have lost in the midst of this season. It will be interesting to see if the Saints continue to sink or rise to the occasion.