BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — The New Orleans Saints are making a coaching change after losing their seventh consecutive game for the first time since 1999. The Saints have fired third-year head coach Dennis Allen following the team’s 23-22 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Allen finishes his time in New Orleans going 18-25 and is 26-53 overall as a head coach in the NFL. His 33.3% win percentage was the worst among active NFL coaches.  The loss to the Panthers was the final nail in Allen’s coffin, a team they beat 47-10 in Week 1 of the season. Carolina entered the game with the worst record in the NFL. The Saints outgained the Panthers by 181 yards, rushed for 197 yards, and won the turnover battle, yet failed to get the win.  The game made the Panthers the first team in the Super Bowl era to win a game with less than 250 yards of offense, no takeaways, and allowing more than 425 yards of offense, according to CBS.  During New Orleans’ seven-game losing streak, they’ve been outscored 200-116 compared to outsourcing opponents 91-29 when they started the season 2-0.  New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave taken to hospital after suffering concussion The Saints have been decimated by injuries during the losing streak. New Orleans has 10 players on injured reserve and wide receiver Chris Olave was stretchered off the field Sunday after sustaining his second concussion this season, the fourth in his three-year NFL career.  "Dennis has been part of our organization for many years. He is highly regarded within the NFL. He has been extremely loyal and professional and most importantly an excellent football coach for us. All of this makes today very tough for me and our organization," said Saints Owner Gayle Benson. "However, this decision is something that I felt we needed to make at this time. I wish nothing but the best in the future for Dennis and his family. He will always be considered in the highest regard by me and everyone within our organization." "DA is an excellent football coach," said Saints Executive Vice President and General Manger Mickey Loomis. "This season, we have had an avalanche of injuries. It took its toll. DA 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." It’s the first time New Orleans has fired a head coach mid-season since the 1980 season when they fired Dick Nolan, a season where the team finished 1-15. It’s the first time the Saints have fired a coach since firing Jim Haslett following the 2005 Katrina season. New Orleans also had a coaching change in 1996 when Jim Mora resigned following a loss to Carolina, dropping the Saints to 2-6.  The Saints hold the third overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and meet with rival Atlanta Falcons at the Caesars Superdome on Sunday, a team they lost to 26-24 on a last-second field goal in Week 4.   Special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi will serve as the team's interim head coach. Read Allen's statement. "I want to take this opportunity to first and foremost thank Gayle Benson for the opportunity to be the head coach of the New Orleans Saints. The organization will always be near and dear to my heart and I am disappointed the results weren't better. I also want to thank Mickey Loomis for the support he and his staff provided throughout the entire time I was with the organization. "I am proud to have worked alongside some great coaches, both as an assistant and during my time as the head coach. To those men, I am sincerely grateful for the time and effort they put into their jobs. I am also grateful for the entire staff that worked hard to provide the support and will miss our daily interactions. "To every player, thank you for your efforts and contributions. As I said on Sunday, I never questioned your dedication and resolve and I am sorry the results weren't better, because they were certainly deserved. "Lastly, to the Saints fans and residents of New Orleans, I want to thank you for your unwavering passion and support of the team. I realize what a privilege it is to coach a special franchise in a great city and I will fondly remember the opportunity I had to coach the Saints. I wish everyone with the Saints the best of luck and success going forward." Dennis Allen Latest News 5 women accused of prostitution at Denham Springs hotels, police say LSU vs. Alabama in Baton Rouge: Game time, how to watch Election 2024: Who is running for mayor-president in East Baton Rouge Parish? Baton Rouge man convicted in drug trafficking case sentenced to 260 months 1 shot after argument on Boardwalk Drive in Baton Rouge, police say