The fans had nothing to do with it. This was a move for the players. He had completely lost the team. Benson had to go behind his back to contact the players then pull rank on Loomis to make it.
We won 3 games after he was fired, I'd say the team was significantly better off for it. Rizzi was just given an impossible challenge of trying to turn around a culture that had turned soft for 3 years.
Rizzi had a strength of victory of .275 (combined opponent record of 14-37), I wouldn't say he did much that any HC (including Allen) couldn't have done. I agree with those who say the midseason firing didn't really do much, as per usual.