Photo by: Glenn Allen
In a recent end-of-season news conference, Dennis Allen, the head coach of the New Orleans Saints, expressed his expectation to continue in his role for the 2024 season. The Saints concluded the season with a 9-8 record, securing the second position in the NFC South but falling short of a postseason berth for the third consecutive year. Allen, who previously served as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders from 2012 to 2014, holds an overall coaching record of 24-46 and is 16-18 in his two seasons with the Saints.
Acknowledging the team's performance, Allen stated, "Obviously it hasn't been good enough. Obviously as the head coach the last two years, 7-10, 9-8, it's not what we aspire to be here. So, I have to do a better job, and I accept that responsibility." Despite the challenging season, Allen has not engaged in discussions about the future with Saints general manager Mickey Loomis but anticipates such talks in the upcoming week. As for potential changes in the coaching staff, Allen emphasized the need for a thorough evaluation of what adjustments are necessary.
"We have to look at, what do we need to change?" said Allen. "And I'm not going to go into any of those details in terms of what changes will occur. But there's things that have to be different. And so, I think that's part of what we have to do this offseason as an organization."
Throughout the season, Allen maintained focus on the immediate tasks at hand, steering clear of speculations about his job security. "Anything else that you're worried about or paying attention to is just a distraction that keeps you from being able to do the best job that you can do," he explained.
Reflecting on the team's performance, Allen noted the lack of consistency and missed opportunities in close games. The Saints faced challenges, such as the absence of key players like Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas, Marshon Lattimore, and Ryan Ramczyk due to suspensions or injuries. Quarterback Derek Carr also encountered physical challenges, leaving three games with injuries.
When questioned about the criticism directed at Carr and himself, Allen defended the quarterback's performance, stating, "No, I don't think it's fair the amount of criticism that Derek Carr got." Allen commended Carr for playing well, particularly during the crucial stretch of the season.
Looking ahead, Allen expressed optimism about Carr's future with the team, emphasizing the quarterback's positive impact on the offensive game. Despite early-season struggles, Carr finished strong, ranking high in passing yards, touchdowns, and demonstrating improvement in the latter part of the season.
"We went out and got Derek Carr because we felt like he was a good fit for our organization, for our team," Allen explained. "And I believe that he is. I believe that the more that he gets an opportunity to work with a lot of these young skill players, the more that we're going to improve from an offensive standpoint."
As the offseason unfolds, Allen remains focused on the necessary changes and improvements to lead the Saints to a more successful campaign in 2024.