The Carolina Panthers won’t have much pity, but the New Orleans Saints may not have an easy time replacing Sean Payton. But they’ll try with someone who’s been rather close to him.
As first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday evening, the NFC South rivals have informed Dennis Allen that he will be their next head coach. The 49-year-old, to much success, has served as Payton’s defensive coordinator for the past seven seasons.
The New Orleans defense has gone through a rags-to-riches story under Allen. After ranking 31st and 27th in total defense over his first two campaigns in 2015 and 2016, the unit has finished 17th, 14th, 11th, fourth and seventh in each of the following years.
Allen also brings head coaching experience to the gig. Prior to his second run with the Saints—with his first coming alongside Payton from 2006 to 2010 as an assistant defensive line and secondary coach—he headed the then Oakland Raiders to an 8-28 record between 2012 and 2014.
