Dennis Allen (American football)

Dennis Allen (born September 22, 1972) is an American football coach, currently serving as head coach for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League.

Allen previously coached for the Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, University of Tulsa and his alma mater, Texas A&M University. His father Grady Allen was also a standout linebacker for the Aggies and later in the NFL for the Falcons. Dennis and his wife, Alisson, have a son, Garrison and a daughter, Layla.

Allen is known for his aggressive "bend but don't break" defensive play calling that gives up a lot of yards, but also forces many sacks and turnovers. In 2009 in New Orleans, the Saints ranked 3rd in interceptions despite giving up 321 yards per game. Allen's Broncos were in the bottom half of yards allowed, ranked 23rd, but were 5th in the league in sacks.

College
Allen began his coaching career at his alma mater, serving as a graduate assistant coach under his old coach R. C. Slocum for four seasons (1996–1999), working primarily with the secondary.

National Football League
He was a defensive assistant coach with the Atlanta Falcons from 2002 to 2005 and with the New Orleans Saints from 2006 to 2010 before being promoted to defensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos for the 2011 season.

Oakland Raiders
On January 24, 2012, Oakland Raiders' general manager Reggie McKenzie hired Allen as the team's 18th head coach. He is the first Raiders defense-oriented head coach since John Madden's retirement after the 1978 season, since the team's longtime former owner Al Davis (until his death during the 2011 season) preferred offensive-minded head coaches. Allen will coach the North team in the 2013 Senior Bowl.

In his first season as head coach, the Raiders struggled as they finished the 2012 season with a record of 4-12. That offseason, the Raiders were facing salary cap problems and the team traded away most of their draft picks prior to Allen's arrival, which did not allow Allen to establish his system with the right players.

Coaching tree
NFL head coaches under whom Dennis Allen has served:
 * Dan Reeves, Atlanta Falcons (2002-2003)
 * Wade Phillips, Atlanta Falcons (2003) (interim head coach)
 * Jim L. Mora, Atlanta Falcons (2004-2005)
 * Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints (2006-2010)
 * John Fox, Denver Broncos (2011)