• Loading stock data...
Monday, June 23, 2025

Saints Fire Dennis Allen: NFL’s Coaching Carousel Spins Early

The now-former Saints coach was in the third season of a four-year contract.

Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

The 2024 NFL regular season will reach its halfway point Monday night, but the league’s dramatic—and expensive—coaching carousel is already in full swing.

The Saints fired Dennis Allen on Monday, becoming the second team to make a change midseason, following the Jets dismissing Robert Saleh last month. Allen was in the third season of a four-year contract he signed in 2022 after Sean Payton stepped down (before ultimately having his rights traded to the Broncos in 2023). The value of Allen’s deal is unknown, but head coach contracts typically pay at least $3 million or $4 million annually—and New Orleans will likely be on the hook for the remainder of his pay this season and the next one.

Allen was 18–25 as the Saints’ head coach, including this season’s 2–7 start. His last game was Sunday’s 23–22 loss to the Panthers, who had one win on the season coming in.

It’s the first midseason firing for the Saints since the franchise was purchased by Tom Benson in 1985. Gayle Benson has led the team since her husband died in 2018, and longtime EVP and GM Mickey Loomis will continue to run football operations.

Crunching the Numbers

New Orleans named special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi interim head coach, but will in all likelihood hire a new full-time coach after the season. Most pressing for the next leader will be the dire salary cap situation the Saints are in.

The Saints are currently $77 million over a projected $273 million salary cap for the 2025 NFL season—the highest in the league, according to Spotrac. That includes a team-high $51 million cap hit for quarterback Derek Carr, who is in the third season of a four-year, $150 million contract. Defensive end Cam Jordan has a $23.9 million dead cap hit, and it’s very possible he’ll retire before his age-36 campaign considering he’s collected two sacks since the start of the 2023 season.

Belichick Watch?

A second NFL head-coaching vacancy after just nine weeks of the season is a solemn reminder of the job’s high turnover rate. After last season, eight of the league’s 32 teams changed coaches.

Bill Belichick, whose 333 career wins (including playoffs) rank second to the late Don Shula’s 347, could be in line for a new job in 2025, after being fired by the Patriots in January and getting only one interview with the Falcons. The six-time Super Bowl–winning head coach is staying in the spotlight this fall, starring on the ManningCast, The Pat McAfee Show, Inside the NFL, and other media properties.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Woody Johnson, primary owner of the New York Jets, is shown, at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center, Monday, January 27, 2025, in Florham Park.

Premier League’s NFL Ties Deepen As Jets Owner Buys Crystal Palace

John Textor was at risk of running afoul of the UEFA’s ownership rules.

World Cup, NFL Draft, New Stadiums in PA … and No State..

Growing sports-related needs conflict with budget worries in the commonwealth.
Apr 24, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter on the red carpet before the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field

‘More Is More’: The Elite Luxury Jewelers Decking Out Athletes

Meet the elite group of luxury designers crafting the biggest statement pieces.

How Mark Walter’s Dodgers Playbook Could Rewrite Lakers’ Future

The owner’s tenure with the MLB club has been lined with success.

Featured Today

Mar 15, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) dribbles the ball upcourt against the North Texas Mean Green during the first half at Dickies Arena

NIL Is Shrinking the Pool of NBA Draft Entrants

Agents are now advising many players to stay in school.
Dec 5, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents the FIFA Club World Cup trophy during the Club Word Cup draw at Telemundo Studios.
June 15, 2025

Revamped Club World Cup Is FIFA’s Billion-Dollar Gamble

The revamped soccer event debuts amid controversy.
Jun 10, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino stands during the anthem against the Switzerland during the first at Geodis Park
June 14, 2025

Gold Cup Is Complicated for USMNT—but U.S. Soccer Has Its Eyes on..

Uncertain tournament success isn’t fazing forward-looking U.S. soccer.
Jan 24, 2017; Davidson, NC, USA; The Davidson Wildcats student section cheers during the first half against the Duquesne Dukes at McKillop Court at John M. Belk Arena. Davidson defeated Duquesne 74-60.
June 6, 2025

Every College Wants a Flashy Basketball GM Hire Right Now

The role is more important than ever, and the definition is ever-evolving.

Thunder Win NBA Finals Behind Young, Deep, and Cheap Roster

The Thunder’s young and cheap roster won its first title Sunday.
June 20, 2025

Pac-12 Still Playing Conference Tetris As Realignment Heats Up

Sacramento State is leaving the Big Sky for the Big West.
June 22, 2025

WNBA Players Drop Fresh Statement in CBA Fight: ‘We Want a Fair..

The WNBA All-Star Game is less than four weeks away.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Ted Leonsis unpacks basketball’s global rise, media rights, and portfolio ownership.
June 19, 2025

Fire Rekindled? WNBA’s Portland Expansion Team Eyes Original Name

WNBA trademarks hint at Portland Fire revival as league expands and honors history.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) celebrates after scoring a 3-pointer Tuesday, June 17, 2025, during a game between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Connecticut Sun, 88-71.
June 18, 2025

Caitlin Clark ‘Celebrates’ Chance at $500K Commissioner’s Cup Prize

The winning team shares a $500,000 prize pool.
June 18, 2025

Dana White’s Next Frontier: Making Jiu-Jitsu Mainstream

The TKO Group Holdings–owned competition expands once again.
Club World Cup
June 18, 2025

Club World Cup Attendance Plummets for Weekday Games: 3,700 in Orlando, ‘Almost..

Chelsea’s manager bemoaned an “almost empty” stadium in Atlanta.