New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis recently spoke out about the team’s decision to part ways with head coach Dennis Allen, marking the first time he’s addressed the firing since it happened.
During an interview on WWL-AM, Loomis shared some insights, placing much of the blame on “circumstances” like injuries that he believes played a large role in the team’s disappointing 2-7 record this season. Loomis highlighted the absence of quarterback Derek Carr for multiple games and pointed out that 10 players were on injured reserve, which had a significant impact on their performance.
In Loomis’ view, Allen is a highly capable coach whose reputation around the league remains positive. He expressed strong support for Allen, saying, “Dennis Allen, I think, is a fantastic football coach, and I think anybody in our league who would talk about him thinks he’s a fantastic football coach.” Loomis suggested that the season’s struggles were not due to Allen’s coaching but rather to the difficult set of circumstances they faced. While he acknowledged that this perspective might be unpopular with some fans, Loomis firmly believes it’s the truth.
The Saints initially started the season strong, winning their first two games. But things quickly took a turn as they endured seven consecutive losses, the most recent being a tough defeat to the Carolina Panthers, a team they had defeated in their opening game. Loomis reflected on these losses as part of the season’s “bad luck” story that overshadowed the positive start.
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Allen’s head coaching record stands at 26-53 across his career with both the Saints and the Oakland Raiders, and while the numbers might seem damning to some, Loomis emphasized that this season’s difficulties were exceptional. However, some fans remain skeptical. Critics argue that Allen’s tenure was plagued by deeper issues beyond injuries, questioning the overall discipline and management of the team under his leadership.
Loomis took a moment to address a column by Times-Picayune writer Jeff Duncan, which suggested that there were issues with team discipline. One of Duncan’s points was that players were parking in public areas instead of the designated team lot, which he linked to a lack of discipline under Allen’s coaching. Loomis dismissed this criticism as “silly,” clarifying that players have parked in those areas for years and that the team’s disciplinary standards shouldn’t be judged based on where players park.
According to Loomis, the Saints were among the league’s least penalized teams, ranking eighth in fewest penalties. He argued that this statistic is a better reflection of the team’s discipline than parking practices. Loomis acknowledged that there were challenges this season, including significant injuries and disruptions at their facility due to construction, adding strain to the organization as a whole.
Ultimately, the Saints felt that it was time for a change, and injuries weren’t the only reason. The pressure of a rough season and the need to improve led the team to decide it was time to move in a different direction. Loomis acknowledged that, despite his respect for Allen, it was necessary to make a difficult decision for the team’s future.
Following Allen’s departure, assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi was named interim head coach. The Saints are hopeful that Rizzi can steer the team through the remainder of the season and help them build momentum for what comes next.