After 16 seasons beneath Sean Payton’s steerage, the Saints have discovered their subsequent head coach. And so they did not should look far to take action, informing defensive coordinator Dennis Allen on Monday that he’ll be employed to interchange Payton atop the workers, as first reported by ESPN. New Orleans had not too long ago hosted “sturdy interviews” by exterior candidates like Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and former Dolphins coach Brian Flores, per NFL Media, however Allen is now locked into the job roughly two months after filling in for Payton in the course of the 2021 season.

Payton knowledgeable the Saints after the season that he can be stepping away from his longtime publish, not essentially retiring however taking at the very least a 12 months off from teaching. Allen, who labored beneath Payton for 12 of the coach’s 16 seasons in New Orleans, was rapidly deemed a front-runner for the opening, with Payton himself calling Allen a “sturdy candidate” at his farewell press convention. Now, Allen will get a second probability at his personal head teaching profession after lasting simply over two seasons because the Raiders‘ coach from 2012-2014, when he went 8-28.

Allen is greatest identified for his work because the Saints’ defensive coordinator, a title he is held since 2015. The group’s secondary coach throughout New Orleans’ Tremendous Bowl win in 2009, he took over as appearing head coach for the membership’s Week 15 shutout win over the Buccaneers, when Payton was sidelined resulting from COVID-19. He initially returned to the Saints from the Raiders as a senior defensive assistant, and in addition served as assistant line of defense coach from 2006-2007, Payton’s first seasons on the town.

Whereas Allen is vaunted for his defensive work, he takes over a roster with quite a few big-picture questions following a 9-8 season with out a playoff look. The Saints are presently projected to be at the very least $75 million over the 2022 wage cap, they usually additionally haven’t any clear solutions at quarterback, the place injured starter Jameis Winston is scheduled to hit free company.