Saints' release of Dennis Allen was difficult, but the right decision | Saints

It was time.

Dennis Allen gave the Saints no choice.

As difficult as it was for owner Gayle Benson and general manager Mickey Loomis to part ways with the coach they selected to replace Sean Payton, a change had to be made.

The Saints' season had become increasingly dire and hopeless. The performances had reached an embarrassing level. With veiled comments from some players and inane comments from others, the entire organization slipped into Ditka-like depths.

Mid-season coaching changes are rarely successful. With the Saints currently so battered and dysfunctional on the field, it's doubtful that Darren Rizzi or any other interim head coach will be able to stop the bleeding. But Allen's term was over.

Although he was never blessed with a Hall of Fame quarterback and his three-year tenure was marred by injuries and chronic salary cap issues, Allen's record became indefensible. In the four-decade Benson ownership era, only Mike Ditka (.313) has a worse winning percentage than Allen's .418 (18-25) with the Saints. His 26-53 win-loss record is the worst among active coaches and one of the worst of the modern NFL era.

To paraphrase Payton after benching Charles Brown mid-game in 2014: “We had seen enough. It was time.” With half a season still to play, the ship needed to be righted. Maintaining the status quo would have been management misconduct.

However, releasing someone is never a cause for celebration, and it may not have been an easy decision for the Saints brain trust. Benson and Loomis not only hired Allen, but also steadfastly defended him in the face of recent public pressure. He was their man. Firing him midway through the season is an admission of a mistake. And an expensive one.

The terms of Allen's contract are unknown, but he will walk away with a golden parachute. And historically the saints don't like paying people not to work for them.

But the loss to the lowly Carolina Panthers was the final straw.

Regardless of what you think of the club's 2025 draft prospects or Allen's acumen as a head coach, he is a good man who has worked tirelessly to make things work for the Saints. He cares deeply about the city and played a key role in the most successful run in franchise history. He deserves respect and should one day earn a black jacket in the Saints Hall of Fame.

As for the saints, they have a difficult road ahead. The roster is one of the worst in the league and the salary cap remains a perpetual disaster. As attractive as NFL jobs are, it won't be easy to lure an elite candidate into such a chaotic situation.

The transaction is also a negative point on Loomis' resume. He hired Allen and gave him every opportunity to succeed. He helped Allen recruit Derek Carr to New Orleans as his quarterback and allowed him to clear both the offensive and defensive coaching staffs. In the end, none of it worked.

Now he is facing his second major head coaching job in three years. He can't afford to miss this.

The Saints organization is at a crossroads. The club needs a breath of fresh air and new ideas. The club's passionately loyal fan base is desperate for hope and positivity. Monday's decision was a necessary first step in that direction. But the changes shouldn't stop with the head coach.