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Saints fire defensive coordinator Ryan

FILE - In this Dec. 28, 2014, file photo, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, right, and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan are shown during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in Tampa, Fla. Saints coach Sean Payton says changes are coming to New Orleans’ last-ranked defense. However, Payton said Monday, Nov. 16, 2015, that he hasn’t made decisions regarding the coaching staff or other personnel, including defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
FILE - In this Dec. 28, 2014, file photo, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, right, and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan are shown during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in Tampa, Fla. Saints coach Sean Payton says changes are coming to New Orleans’ last-ranked defense. However, Payton said Monday, Nov. 16, 2015, that he hasn’t made decisions regarding the coaching staff or other personnel, including defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File) FILE - In this Dec. 28, 2014, file photo, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, right, and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan are shown during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in Tampa, Fla. Saints coach Sean Payton says changes are coming to New Orleans’ last-ranked defense. However, Payton said Monday, Nov. 16, 2015, that he hasn’t made decisions regarding the coaching staff or other personnel, including defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)

By Associated Press 1 min read

METAIRIE, La. (AP) – Saints coach Sean Payton says Rob Ryan has been fired as defensive coordinator and senior defensive assistant Dennis Allen will assume Ryan’s duties.

The move, announced Monday night on Payton’s weekly radio show on WWL-AM, comes a day after the Saints allowed 526 yards in a 47-14 loss to the Washington Redskins. The Saints rank last in the NFL in yards allowed per game with 424.7, yards allowed per play with 6.7 and points allowed per game with 31.5.

Injuries have hampered the unit lately, but New Orleans has ranked consistently low defensively for a season and a half, having finished last year ranked 31st.

Ryan was hired in 2013 and his unit ranked fourth that season, but has struggled since. Allen, a former NFL defensive coordinator and head coach, was hired by this past offseason by New Orleans, where he’d previously been a Payton assistant.

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL