The Big Easy isn't feeling particularly easy right now. If you're asking who is the New Orleans Saints coach, you’re likely caught in the middle of a franchise identity crisis that hasn’t been this loud since the pre-Sean Payton days. For a long time, the answer was Dennis Allen. But the NFL moves fast, and patience in Louisiana wears thin when the losses start piling up like crawfish shells at a boil.
Currently, the Saints are in a state of transition. After firing Dennis Allen mid-season in 2024 following a disastrous seven-game losing streak, the team handed the keys to Darren Rizzi. He's the guy. At least, he's the guy for now.
The Darren Rizzi Era: More Than Just a Special Teams Guy
Darren Rizzi stepped into the role of interim head coach with a specific kind of energy that the locker room desperately needed. Most fans knew him as the fiery special teams coordinator who looked like he’d run through a brick wall for a downed punt. He’s been in the league a long time. Honestly, he’s exactly the kind of "jolt" a stagnant team looks for when things go south.
When Mickey Loomis, the Saints’ longtime General Manager, made the call to move on from Allen, it wasn't just about the record. It was about the vibe. The Superdome was getting quiet. Rizzi changed that almost immediately by leaning into his New Jersey roots and a "no-nonsense" coaching style that prioritized accountability over scheme complexity.
You’ve got to understand the shift here. Dennis Allen was a defensive mastermind, a "professor" type who thrived on sub-packages and disguised coverages. Rizzi? He’s a motivator. He’s the guy who famously stayed at the facility so late he probably forgot what his living room looked like. In his first game at the helm, the Saints beat the Falcons. That’s how you win over a city. You beat Atlanta.
Why the Saints Fired Dennis Allen
It’s impossible to talk about who is the New Orleans Saints coach without looking at why the seat became vacant in the first place. Dennis Allen finished his tenure with an 18-25 record. That’s not great. But the stats don’t tell the whole story of the frustration brewing in Metairie.
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The 2024 season started with a bang—two blowout wins that had people wondering if Derek Carr was an MVP candidate. Then, the wheels didn't just fall off; they exploded. Injuries played a role, sure. You can't lose your top three wideouts and your Pro Bowl center and expect to drop 40 points a game. But the lack of discipline was the killer. Blown leads, questionable fourth-down decisions, and a general sense of "here we go again" permeated the building.
Fans were over it. The "Fire DA" banners weren't just a meme; they were a movement. By the time the Saints lost to a struggling Carolina Panthers team, the writing wasn't just on the wall—it was painted in neon lights.
The Search for a Permanent Solution
Rizzi is the interim, but the question of who is the New Orleans Saints coach for the long haul is the multi-million dollar mystery. Loomis is in a tight spot. The Saints are famously "all-in" every single year, kicking the salary cap can down the road like a cursed relic. This makes the job both attractive and terrifying.
Who wants to coach a team that is basically $60 million over the cap every spring?
A few names have been swirling in the rumor mill since the day Allen packed his bags:
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- Aaron Glenn: The Lions' defensive coordinator is a former Saint. Players love him. He brings that Dan Campbell-style "kneecap biting" intensity that New Orleans fans gravitate toward.
- Klint Kubiak: This is the internal wildcard. As the offensive coordinator, he started the year as a genius and ended it under fire. If the offense finishes strong under Rizzi, Kubiak might get a look, though it feels like the team wants a clean break from the old regime.
- The Big Fish (Ben Johnson or Joe Slowik): Every team wants the young offensive wizard. Whether the Saints can lure a top-tier candidate while facing a roster rebuild is the big "if."
The reality is that the Saints aren't just looking for a coach; they’re looking for a savior. They miss the stability of the Sean Payton years. They miss having an identity. Right now, the identity is "gritty underdog," which works for a few weeks in November but doesn't win championships in January.
The Locker Room Pulse
Ask Cam Jordan or Demario Davis about the coaching change and you'll get a professional, yet telling, response. These guys are legends. They’ve seen the highs. They’re currently living the lows.
The transition to Rizzi was about salvaging the culture. When a head coach is fired mid-season, the building usually smells like defeat. Rizzi’s first move was to change the seating in meetings. He wanted guys talking to people they didn't usually talk to. It sounds like high school stuff, but in a professional locker room, those small pivots matter. It breaks the monotony of a losing season.
What Happens Next in New Orleans?
If you are looking for a definitive answer on who is the New Orleans Saints coach for 2025 and beyond, you’ll have to wait for the "Black Monday" fallout. The Saints are notoriously loyal—sometimes to a fault. They kept Dennis Allen longer than many expected because they value continuity.
However, the pressure from the Gayle Benson ownership level is real. The Saints are a pillar of New Orleans culture. When the team sucks, the city feels it. Business owners in the French Quarter feel it.
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The next coach has to be someone who can navigate the post-Drew Brees vacuum that still hasn't been filled. Whether it’s Rizzi earning the permanent spot through sheer force of will or a fresh face from the outside, the criteria are clear: fix the cap, find a franchise QB, and stop losing to the Panthers.
Understanding the Salary Cap Hurdle
Whoever takes this job isn't just a coach; they’re a financial manager. The Saints' strategy of restructuring contracts to stay competitive has left them with a "dead money" nightmare.
Most coaches want a "clean slate." They want draft picks and cap space. The Saints have neither in abundance. This means the next coach—whether it’s the guy there now or someone new—must be a developer of talent. They have to find gems in the fourth and fifth rounds because they can't afford to buy a championship in free agency.
Actionable Steps for Saints Fans
Keeping track of this coaching carousel is a full-time job. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, here is what you actually need to do:
- Monitor the Interim Performance: Watch how the team plays in the fourth quarter under Rizzi. If they stay competitive and play with fire, his chances of keeping the job skyrocket. Ownership values "fighting spirit" over almost anything else right now.
- Follow Mickey Loomis' Pressers: The Saints' GM is usually tight-lipped, but his tone regarding "retooling" vs. "rebuilding" will tell you what kind of coach he's looking for. A retooling means an experienced vet; a rebuild means a young coordinator.
- Check the Lions and Texans Playoff Run: If guys like Aaron Glenn or Joe Slowik are deep in the playoffs, don't expect an announcement early. The Saints will have to wait to interview the "hot" candidates.
- Ignore the "Gruden" Rumors: Every time there's an opening, Jon Gruden’s name pops up because he’s been seen at practice. It’s mostly noise. Focus on the candidates with actual NFL momentum in the current cycle.
The New Orleans Saints are at a crossroads. The answer to who is the New Orleans Saints coach is currently Darren Rizzi, but the shadow of the future is looming large over the Caesars Superdome. The team needs more than a tactician; they need a leader who can handle the weight of a city that expects nothing less than a playoff run every single year.
Next Steps for Following the Search:
To get the most accurate updates, keep an eye on the official Saints injury reports and transaction wires. Often, the way a team handles its roster in December—who they bench and who they start—reveals how much influence the current coaching staff has on the front office's long-term vision. Pay close attention to local beat reporters like Nick Underhill, who often has the pulse of the building long before national outlets catch wind of a hiring.