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Former New Orleans Saints coach Dennis Allen's firing set a unique first in NFL history.
Allen, who was previously terminated by the then-Oakland Raiders in 2014, became the first coach in NFL history to be fired with the same quarterback starting at both jobs during the Super Bowl Era, according to the Associated Press' Josh Dubow. Saints quarterback Derek Carr was starting as a rookie when Allen was fired by the Raiders in 2014 and started six games, including Sunday's (November 3) loss to the Carolina Panthers, for the Saints in 2024.
"Dennis Allen is the first coach in the Super Bowl era to be fired by 2 teams (also #Raiders) while having the same starting QB in both places," Dubow wrote on his X account.
Special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi was promoted to interim head coach. Allen's firing came hours after the Saints fell to 2-7 with Sunday's' loss to the Panthers, having lost seven consecutive games after starting the season with a 2-0 record.
Allen joined the Saints' staff as a senior defensive assistant in 2015 and was promoted to defensive coordinator after Rob Ryan's firing midway through the season. The Atlanta native worked as the team's defensive coordinator from 2015 to 2021 before being promoted to head coach in February 2022 following Sean Payton's sudden retirement announcement two weeks prior.
Allen went 18-25 during three seasons as the Saints' head coach and has a 26-53 overall record as an NFL head coach.