An Inside Look at What Went Wrong During Dennis Allen's Tenure as Saints Head Coach

Lack of Discipline

The Saints defense under Allen underperformed for the vast majority of his tenure, due in no small part to the excessive penalties they committed. They also struggled to force turnovers and generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks, which made it harder for the offense to move the ball downfield and score points.

Missed Opportunities

The Saints offense also had its share of struggles under Allen. The team was unable to establish a consistent running game and often relied on quarterback Drew Brees to carry the offense. This put a lot of pressure on Brees and made it difficult for the Saints to sustain drives and score points. The Saints also struggled in the red zone, often settling for field goals instead of touchdowns, which cost them several games.

Lack of Leadership

Allen was criticized for his lack of leadership and communication with his players. This led to a team that was divided and lacked direction. Many Saints players spoke out about Allen's lack of leadership following his firing, which suggests that this was a major factor in his downfall.

Poor Coaching Decisions

Allen made several poor coaching decisions that contributed to the Saints' struggles. His decision to bench quarterback Teddy Bridgewater after a few poor performances in favor of rookie Ian Book was widely criticized as a sign that he had lost confidence in his team. Allen's play-calling was also questionable at times, as he often relied on conservative play-calling that was not effective.