THE New Orleans Saints have fired head coach Dennis Allen.
The NFC South team made the announcement on Monday following their 23-22 loss to the struggling Carolina Panthers.
The New Orleans are understood to have made a decision on NFL icon Bill Belichick[/caption]
Dennis Allen was fired as New Orleans Saints head coach on Monday morning[/caption]
It moved their 2024-25 NFL season record to a dreadful 2-7, with seven defeats in a row.
There had been calls for Allen to go by fans and analysts for weeks, following their collapse.
The 52-year-old is expected to be replaced by special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi on an interim basis.
But it is understood they are interested in New England Patriots legend Bill Belichick becoming their new full time boss.
However, his stance is not known on whether he would be interested in the move to New Orleans.
Allen released a statement on Monday, breaking his silence over being fired.
“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,” he said.
“The organization will always be near and dear to my heart and I am disappointed the results weren’t better.
“I also want to thank Mickey Loomis for the support he and his staff provided throughout the entire time I was with the organization.
“I am proud to have worked alongside some great coaches, both as an assistant and during my time as the head coach.
“To those men, I am sincerely grateful for the time and effort they put into their jobs.
“I am also grateful for the entire staff that worked hard to provide the support and will miss our daily interactions.”
He then went on to thank the fans, players and city of New Orleans for their support.
The Saints campaign had started so well, with wins over the Panthers and the Dallas Cowboys.
NFL head coach annual salaries
1. Andy Reid – Chiefs – $20 million
2. Sean Payton – Broncos – $18 million
=3. Mike Tomlin – Steelers – $16 million
=3. Jim Harbaugh – Chargers – $16 million
5. Sean McVay – Rams – $15 million
6. Kyle Shanahan – 49ers – $14 million
7. John Harbaugh – Ravens – $12 million
=8. Dan Campbell – Lions – $11 million
=8. Sean McDermott – Bills – $11 million
10. Mike MacDonald – Seahawks – $10 million
They scored a combined 91 points in the opening two games.
However, losses to the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons quickly followed.
Quarterback Derek Carr was hurt in Week 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
And the season has spiraled into disaster ever since.
Allen was promoted to Saints head coach before the 2022 campaign after Sean Payton‘s exit.
He had been the defensive coordinator under him for seven years before that.
His final record in New Orleans reads 18 wins and 25 losses.
