NEW ORLEANS, LA - After nine seasons as head coach of the New Orleans Saints, Dennis Allen is stepping down. His tenure, which began in Season 24, saw moments of promise but was largely marked by inconsistency, missed opportunities, and early playoff exits.
The Saints finished 10-7 this past season but dropped their Wild Card matchup to the San Francisco 49ers, 31-14, marking the fourth and final playoff appearance under Allen - all of which ended in defeat.
Career Overview
Allen's time with the Saints included just three winning seasons, and only one playoff win. His overall regular-season record ends at 67-84-0, a .444 win percentage. He never led the team to a division title, and only once advanced past the opening round of the playoffs.
| Season | Record | Win % |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | 6-10-0 | .375 |
| 25 | 9-7-0 | .563 |
| 26 | 3-14-0 | .176 |
| 27 | 8-9-0 | .471 |
| 28 | 12-5-0 | .706 |
| 29 | 6-11-0 | .353 |
| 30 | 6-11-0 | .353 |
| 31 | 7-10-0 | .412 |
| 32 | 10-7-0 | .588 |
His only playoff victory came in Season 25, when the Saints won their Wild Card game but were eliminated in the Divisional Round by the Cowboys, 28-14.
Playoff Appearances Under Allen
| Season | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Cowboys | Lost Div Round 14-28 |
| 27 | Vikings | Lost Wild Card 17-49 |
| 28 | Cowboys | Lost Wild Card 42-49 |
| 32 | 49ers | Lost Wild Card 14-31 |
Notably, in Season 27, the Saints reached the playoffs with a losing record (8-9), earning the final Wild Card spot due to a favorable conference record tiebreaker over the Green Bay Packers and 49ers. That playoff run was short-lived, ending in a lopsided loss to the Vikings.
Final Verdict
Allen leaves New Orleans with a 1-4 postseason record and a reputation for fielding resilient but ultimately underachieving squads. Though he helped steer the team through a rebuilding phase, the lack of playoff success and prolonged inconsistency ultimately defined his era.
"It wasn't perfect, but I gave everything I had to this team," Allen reportedly told staff after the Wild Card loss. "Sometimes that's just how it goes."
The Saints now turn the page, beginning their search for a new head coach to lead them into Season 33.
