Så gik den ikke længere. Efter syv nederlag i træk har New Orleans Saints valgt, at fyre head coach Dennis Allen.

Allen i sit tredje år, som head coach for Saints. Og efter en rigtig god start på sæsonen med to storsejre, kom rækken af syv nederlag.

I hans første sæson vandt Saints 7 kampe, mens holdet tabte 10. I 2023 blev det lidt bedre og Saints var da også tæt på at vinde NFC South. Men sluttede her 9-8 ligesom Tampa Bay Buccaneers, der var bedre indbyrdes.

Allen var Saints 17. head coach og overtog jobbet efter Sean Payton.

“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. All of this makes today very tough for me and our organization,” said Saints Owner Gayle Benson. “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 Saints Executive Vice President and General Manger 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 disappointing. Dennis has been an integral part of this organization’s success for the better part of twenty years. He will be missed.”

Nu vil special teams coach Darren Rizzi overtage head coach rollen midlertidigt. Og Saints skal dermed efter sæson finde holdets næste head coach.

Rizzi blev hyret som special teams coordinator for New Orleans Saints den 11. februar 2019, og blev assistent head coach i 2022 under head coach Dennis Allen. Rizzi har været træner i 31 år og har sin længste periode med Miami Dolphins fra 2009 til 2018.

Saints møder søndag ærkerivalerne fra Atlanta Falcons i Superdomen klokken 19:00.