The Saints closed out their 2023 season in controversy, not only finishing 9-8 and out of the playoffs, but also with a fake kneeling touchdown against the Falcons, which caused a heated post-match exchange. Despite this, head coach Dennis Allen expects to be back in 2024, tell the journalists after Sunday’s regular season finale, he wants to be “part of the solution.”
“That’s what I’m waiting for, yes,” Allen responded when asked if he plans to return for a third season, noting that “there will be a lot of discussion” between him and the other chefs team throughout this week.
“As a head coach the last two years,” Allen continued, “(going) 7-10 (and) 9-8 is not what we aspire to be here. I have to do a better job. And I accept this responsibility.”
Allen’s Saints finished 2023 strong, winning four of their last five games, including Sunday’s 48-17 rout of Atlanta. But a 5-7 start, plus a key Week 16 loss to the Rams, left New Orleans on the outside of the NFC South and the wild card. The former defensive coordinator, who replaced Sean Payton at the top of the staff in 2022, is now 24-46 in his head coaching career, dating back to his time with the Raiders.
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In addition to addressing his future, Allen also spent part of his final postgame press conference of 2023 apologizing to Falcons coach Arthur Smith, who was fired hours later . Smith could be seen and heard criticizing Allen for the Saints’ fake kneeling TD at the end of Sunday’s game, which occurred when New Orleans was already leading 41-17. Quarterback Jameis Winston later told reporters that the players went against Allen’s advice by running the play, eager to allow running back Jamaal Williams to score his first touchdown of the season.