Sources: Saints tab Dennis Allen to replace Sean Payton
BRETT MARTEL AP Sports Writer
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Dennis Allen is getting a second chance to be an NFL head coach — this time with a New Orleans Saints franchise he helped transform from an oft-stumbling, also-ran into a regular contender during the 16-year tenure of his former boss, Sean Payton.
The New Orleans Saints have promoted Allen from defensive coordinator to head coach, two people familiar with the decision said Monday.
The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Saints have not announced their chosen replacement for Payton, who resigned nearly two weeks ago as — by far — the franchise’s all-time leader in coaching victories.
The Saints chose to promote from within after also interviewing outside candidates, including former Miami coach Brian Flores, Detroit defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Kansas City offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
Allen, 49, is in his second stint with the Saints. He first joined the Saints in 2006 as an assistant on Payton’s first staff and was their defensive backs coach when they won the Super Bowl in the 2009 season. He left New Orleans in 2011 to become Denver’s defensive coordinator before taking his first and only other head coaching position with the Oakland Raiders in 2012.
He was fired by the Raiders four games into the 2014 season and returned to the Saints as a senior defensive assistant in 2015 before eventually taking over as defensive coordinator late that season when Payton fired Rob Ryan.
The Saints have ranked in the top seven in the NFL defensively during the past two seasons, raising Allen’s profile once again as a head coaching candidate.
Hiring Allen gives the Saints a measure of continuity, not just on defense, but with the staff, a number of whom have years of experience working with Allen.
Top Saints defensive players such as sack leader Cameron Jordan and linebacker Demario Davis also have been vocal supporters of Allen during the past half-decade.
“Just a phenomenal coach, leader,” Davis said late last season. “Really understands our defense’s personnel, understanding what guys do well, understands how to put us all in position to have success, really good at understanding the opponents.”
Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson played four seasons under Allen with the Saints before signing with Cincinnati as a free agent last offseason.
“He’s a great coach,” Hendrickson said during the Bengals’ Zoom sessions with reporters as Cincinnati prepares to play the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl on Sunday. “He expects the best out of his players. He’s a great leader. It was one of those things where I came in and pretty early on knew that he was special.
“And to have him as the DC, I knew he was going to be a head coach at some point in his career again.”
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis highlighted Allen’s credentials to replace Payton on more than one occasion during the club’s head coaching search.
“First of all, he’s a great coach and he’s been a part of our building for a long time,” Loomis said, adding that Allen helped foster the “culture” of the club during the Payton era and was “a big part of the success we’ve had over the years.”
Allen has been open about his desire to get a second chance as a head coach. The Raiders were struggling when he was hired to his first top job in Oakland. He went 4-12 in his first two seasons and was fired after an 0-4 start to his third.
Now he takes the reins of a team that narrowly missed the playoffs following a 9-8 2021 campaign, but which won the NFC South the previous four seasons and established a tradition of winning during the Payton era.
“The resume and what we’ve been able to accomplish here defensively speaks for itself in terms of the type of culture and the type of group that we’ve built,” Allen said late this past season, in reference to possible head coaching opportunities. “I’d love to get that opportunity again; I think I’d be much more prepared for it.”
But Allen also will inherit some new challenges and headaches. New Orleans’ quarterback position remains unsettled just one year removed from the retirement of franchise all-time passing leader Drew Brees.
Jameis Winston showed promise while going 5-2 as a starter before a season-ending knee injury, but he is due to become a free agent this offseason. Taysom Hill went 4-1 as a starter late in the season, making him 7-2 for his career. But that remains a relatively small sample size.
Meanwhile, New Orleans’ top offensive player, running back Alvin Kamara, is facing criminal charges following a night club fight in Las Vegas that was caught on video last weekend. Depending on how his legal matters are resolved, the NFL could suspend him, possibly for multiple games.
Sources: Saints tab Dennis Allen to replace Sean Payton
He has one of the best stories in the draft, going from starting his college career in junior college where he was featured on Netflix series ‘Last Chance U’ to a possible first-round pick. Johnson exhibited why he was ACC Defensive Player of the Year in the practice week. He checks all the boxes of what you want in a defensive end/outside linebacker between his pass-rushing skills and ability to set the edge against the run, with an impressive work ethic to boot.
He has one of the best stories in the draft, going from starting his college career in junior college where he was featured on Netflix series ‘Last Chance U’ to a possible first-round pick. Johnson exhibited why he was ACC Defensive Player of the Year in the practice week. He checks all the boxes of what you want in a defensive end/outside linebacker between his pass-rushing skills and ability to set the edge against the run, with an impressive work ethic to boot.
Sources: Saints tab Dennis Allen to replace Sean Payton
Charlie Neibergall
The great thing about Penning is he was about as solid as can be all week at left tackle. The bad thing for most teams is he likely won't make it out of the first round. Penning plays with a mean streak and has all the tools you’re looking for from a tackle at the next level.
Charlie Neibergall
The great thing about Penning is he was about as solid as can be all week at left tackle. The bad thing for most teams is he likely won't make it out of the first round. Penning plays with a mean streak and has all the tools you’re looking for from a tackle at the next level.
Sources: Saints tab Dennis Allen to replace Sean Payton
Butch Dill
Willis flashed his physical traits all week. The strong arm was on display as he registered one throw at 74 mph, the fastest since Zebra Technology put chips in footballs at the Senior Bowl in 2018. He showed the ability to scramble and be elusive in the pocket on multiple occasions, as well as make fine decisions, in Saturday’s game as he started for the American Team. National starter Kenny Pickett of Pittsburgh, who will now have to hear any and everything about his hand size (only 9 inches) through the draft, also fared well, but Willis won the week.
Butch Dill
Willis flashed his physical traits all week. The strong arm was on display as he registered one throw at 74 mph, the fastest since Zebra Technology put chips in footballs at the Senior Bowl in 2018. He showed the ability to scramble and be elusive in the pocket on multiple occasions, as well as make fine decisions, in Saturday’s game as he started for the American Team. National starter Kenny Pickett of Pittsburgh, who will now have to hear any and everything about his hand size (only 9 inches) through the draft, also fared well, but Willis won the week.
Sources: Saints tab Dennis Allen to replace Sean Payton
Butch Dill
Already highly touted coming in, the 6-foot-4 Watson impressed all week and was named the top wide receiver on the National Team. On Saturday, he got open down the field and made an athletic diving catch on underthrown ball by Pickett, but more impressively, he knew to get up right away and run in a quick transition to NFL rules from college. Memphis wideout Calvin Austin earned the other team’s top receiver recognition, and South Alabama’s Jalen Tolbert is another one who impressed, playing in his home stadium.
Butch Dill
Already highly touted coming in, the 6-foot-4 Watson impressed all week and was named the top wide receiver on the National Team. On Saturday, he got open down the field and made an athletic diving catch on underthrown ball by Pickett, but more impressively, he knew to get up right away and run in a quick transition to NFL rules from college. Memphis wideout Calvin Austin earned the other team’s top receiver recognition, and South Alabama’s Jalen Tolbert is another one who impressed, playing in his home stadium.
Sources: Saints tab Dennis Allen to replace Sean Payton
Butch Dill
The John Mackey Award winner for the best college football tight end in the nation excelled throughout the week as the most consistent tight end among the group. He capped the successful showing with a touchdown in Saturday’s game, found wide open in the flat on a play-action misdirection. Wisconsin’s Jake Ferguson also looked good with a run after catch for a touchdown on Saturday.
Butch Dill
The John Mackey Award winner for the best college football tight end in the nation excelled throughout the week as the most consistent tight end among the group. He capped the successful showing with a touchdown in Saturday’s game, found wide open in the flat on a play-action misdirection. Wisconsin’s Jake Ferguson also looked good with a run after catch for a touchdown on Saturday.
Sources: Saints tab Dennis Allen to replace Sean Payton
Butch Dill
Asamoah was named the top linebacker on the National Team in a vote by offensive linemen, tight ends and running backs who practiced against him in practice.
Butch Dill
Asamoah was named the top linebacker on the National Team in a vote by offensive linemen, tight ends and running backs who practiced against him in practice.
Sources: Saints tab Dennis Allen to replace Sean Payton
Butch Dill
The running backs who were most impressive on the teams were Smith and Alabama’s Brian Robinson, which you probably have already seen more of in college. Smith scored the first touchdown of Saturday’s exhibition off a screen, and in a sign of the team player he is, he handed the ball to right tackle Daniel Faalele of Minnesota to spike in the end zone.
Butch Dill
The running backs who were most impressive on the teams were Smith and Alabama’s Brian Robinson, which you probably have already seen more of in college. Smith scored the first touchdown of Saturday’s exhibition off a screen, and in a sign of the team player he is, he handed the ball to right tackle Daniel Faalele of Minnesota to spike in the end zone.
Sources: Saints tab Dennis Allen to replace Sean Payton
Butch Dill
Malone would need to gain weight to be an every-down edge defender who can stand up against the run, but the 234-pound former receiver is an exceptional pass rusher. He showed tremendous ability to get off the line of scrimmage at the snap and rushes with a strong motor. Although he’s light, he can bring physicality on the pass rush with his bull rush. He had a sack in the game on Saturday. Minnesota’s Boya Mafe also impressed with a strip-sack on North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell and persistent pressure.
Butch Dill
Malone would need to gain weight to be an every-down edge defender who can stand up against the run, but the 234-pound former receiver is an exceptional pass rusher. He showed tremendous ability to get off the line of scrimmage at the snap and rushes with a strong motor. Although he’s light, he can bring physicality on the pass rush with his bull rush. He had a sack in the game on Saturday. Minnesota’s Boya Mafe also impressed with a strip-sack on North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell and persistent pressure.
Sources: Saints tab Dennis Allen to replace Sean Payton
Butch Dill
Pitre had great hips, was light on his feet and showed closing speed in coverage, especially in one-on-one reps in practice against wide receivers. He also earned a positional honor for the week. The other Baylor safety, JT Woods, also made a lasting impression with a sealing interception in the final seconds Saturday.
Butch Dill
Pitre had great hips, was light on his feet and showed closing speed in coverage, especially in one-on-one reps in practice against wide receivers. He also earned a positional honor for the week. The other Baylor safety, JT Woods, also made a lasting impression with a sealing interception in the final seconds Saturday.
Sources: Saints tab Dennis Allen to replace Sean Payton
Butch Dill
Connecticut defensive tackle Travis Jones was a physical bully against offensive linemen. Cincinnati defensive end Myjai Sanders embarrassed Faalele in a one-on-one drill, sending him to the ground on a spin move. Georgia linebacker Channing Tindall made an exceptional special teams tackle covering a punt return, showing his hustle and willingness to contribute in that aspect of the game. The NFL Network cameras caught Appalachian State linebacker D’Marco Jackson leading the huddle for his team at one point, and he looked to have good command of the unit.
Butch Dill
Connecticut defensive tackle Travis Jones was a physical bully against offensive linemen. Cincinnati defensive end Myjai Sanders embarrassed Faalele in a one-on-one drill, sending him to the ground on a spin move. Georgia linebacker Channing Tindall made an exceptional special teams tackle covering a punt return, showing his hustle and willingness to contribute in that aspect of the game. The NFL Network cameras caught Appalachian State linebacker D’Marco Jackson leading the huddle for his team at one point, and he looked to have good command of the unit.
Sources: Saints tab Dennis Allen to replace Sean Payton
Tyler Kaufman
FILE - New Orleans Saints defensive coach Dennis Allen is seen during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in New Orleans. On Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, two people familiar with the decision say the New Orleans Saints have promoted Allen to head coach. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman, File)
Tyler Kaufman
FILE - New Orleans Saints defensive coach Dennis Allen is seen during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in New Orleans. On Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, two people familiar with the decision say the New Orleans Saints have promoted Allen to head coach. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman, File)
