Saints fire head coach Dennis Allen after loss to Panthers, 2-7 start to season

New Orleans lost its seventh consecutive game on Sunday, falling to a Panthers team it thoroughly outclassed in Week 1. The vibe after the loss highlighted a locker room that never entirely seemed behind the coach.

The seven-game skid marked the longest losing streak for the franchise since Weeks 2-9, 1999.

Allen taking over for Payton seemed like a natural transition from the Super Bowl-winning coach, but despite a veteran roster, the Saints never lived up to the talent level. From mismanaged games to humbling losses, the Allen era goes down as a forgettable wasteland in the Bayou.

“D.A. is an excellent football coach,” Saints executive vice president and general manager Mickey Loomis said in a statement. “This season, we have had an avalanche of injuries. It took its toll. D.A. has never offered excuses, he fought each day for this organization and this team and that is what makes today disappointing. Dennis has been an integral part of this organization’s success for the better part of twenty years. He will be missed.”

Monday’s axing marked the second time that Allen was fired midseason. The Oakland Raiders moved on from him after four games in the 2014 season. Allen is the latest example that some are better coordinators than head coaches.

Allen owns a 26-53 career record (.329) as a head coach.

The midseason firing kickstarts a trove of questions in New Orleans. Will Loomis keep his job, or will Benson opt for a complete house-cleaning? Does Derek Carr stick around? What of the numerous veterans peppering the roster? How does the NFL’s quintessential can-kicking franchise author a fresh start with few young assets?

With each loss, Allen’s grip on his job lessened. A seventh straight defeat yanked it away.