**Confirmed: Mickey Loomis, Saints Ownership Disagreed on Dennis Allen Firing**
Mickey Loomis, the longest-tenured general manager in the NFL, has been at the helm of the New Orleans Saints since 2002. Over his tenure, he’s hired only two head coaches: Jim Haslett and Sean Payton. After Payton’s departure, Loomis tapped defensive coordinator Dennis Allen to take over as head coach, marking a pivotal move for the franchise. However, Allen’s time in New Orleans is now coming to an end, and it appears the decision to part ways with him was more driven by ownership than by Loomis himself.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Loomis was not ready to fire Allen after the Saints’ disappointing 2-7 start to the 2024 season. The decision, it seems, came from Saints ownership, led by Gayle Benson. Breer reports that ownership was prepared to make a change regardless of the outcome of the team’s Week 9 game against the Panthers, which the Saints lost. Even though Loomis had resisted calls for Allen’s dismissal in previous seasons, ownership felt a change was necessary.
The Saints, who had not experienced a losing season of six or fewer wins since 2005, saw their team struggle with a seven-game losing streak this season. The streak, which included a blowout loss to the Buccaneers, underscored the team’s inability to turn things around despite a strong start to the year. Allen’s tenure had already been shaky, having posted a 7-10 record in 2022 and a 9-8 record in 2023. His 2024 campaign, however, has been marked by defensive struggles and a clear loss of momentum.
Allen’s first stint as a head coach with the Oakland Raiders was disastrous, posting a 4-12 record in both of his first two years before being fired. While his time as the Saints’ defensive coordinator was marked by significant success, Allen’s inability to maintain that defensive prowess as head coach — particularly in 2024, when the Saints’ defense ranked 26th in the league — contributed to the mounting frustration with his leadership.
Despite the losses, Allen’s situation was complicated by internal divisions. Former Saints offensive lineman James Hurst remarked that many players expected Loomis to fire Allen after the 2023 season, especially following an emotional Week 18 win over the Falcons. The game, which featured a controversial moment where Jameis Winston disregarded Allen’s instructions, led to speculation about Allen’s standing with the team. The controversy highlighted the disconnect between Allen and his players, particularly after he failed to publicly support them in the aftermath of the incident.
Ultimately, while Loomis appeared reluctant to make a change, ownership’s influence prevailed. The decision to fire Allen sets the stage for the Saints to begin their search for a new head coach — marking the first time in nearly two decades that the team will be actively looking for an outside hire. How Loomis and Benson handle this transition will be key to the Saints’ future direction.
