Saints name assistant head coach, special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi interim head coach

NEW ORLEANS — Less than 24 hours after the Saints dropped their seventh straight game of the season, they parted ways with head coach Dennis Allen.

With Allen gone, the team announced that assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi is the interim coach. 

Rizzi was named the team's special teams coordinator in 2019. Two years ago, he was also named the Saints assistant head coach.

“We’ve all had a hand in where we are right now," Rizzi said when asked about the Saints season. "We will all have a hand in digging ourselves out of it. The only way I know how to do it is to fight.”

Prior to his time in New Orleans, Rizzi spent 10 seasons with the Miami Dolphins.

Rizzi has been an NFL coach since 2009, and he has coached seven special teams players who have been named to Pro Bowls. 

Rizzi was asked about his special teams coaching experience helping him build roster relationships. He responded, "I've always felt like special teams coaches are well-prepared to take over as head coaches. I can honestly say I have a relationship with every single player on the team."

WWL Louisiana will have further updates on this developing story.

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