New Orleans lost its seventh straight game on Sunday, succumbing to a Panthers team it had soundly outclassed in Week 1. The mood after the loss showed a locker room that never seemed to fully get behind the coach.

The seven-game elimination marked the longest losing streak for the franchise since weeks two through weeks nine in 1999.

Allen taking over for Payton seemed like a natural transition from Super Bowl-winning coach, but despite an experienced roster, the Saints were never able to match the talent level. From mismanaged games to humiliating defeats, the Allen era is remembered as an unforgettable wasteland in the Bayou.

“DA is an excellent football coach,” Saints executive vice president and general manager Mickey Loomis said in a statement. “This season we had an avalanche of injuries. That took its toll. DA never offered excuses, he fought every day for this organization and this team and that is what makes today disappointing. Dennis was an integral part of this organization.” We will miss this success for almost twenty years.

Monday's cut marked the second time Allen was fired midway through the season. The Oakland Raiders left him four games into the 2014 season. Allen is the latest example of how some are better coordinators than head coaches.

Allen has a career record of 26-53 (.329) as a head coach.

The midseason firing raises a plethora of questions in New Orleans. Will Loomis keep his job or will Benson opt for a complete housecleaning? Is Derek Carr staying? What about the numerous veterans on the squad? How does the author of the NFL franchise, the epitome of can-kicking, manage a fresh start with few young talents?

With each defeat, Allen's hold on his job weakened. A seventh consecutive defeat wiped out the victory.