Two years ago, four weeks into the 2014 NFL season, then head coach Dennis Allen was released by the Oakland Raiders. Sunday, September 11, he’ll face his old team, this time as the defensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints.
He took over that position in 2015 following the Black and Gold’s release of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan in November. Prior to the promotion he’d been working as the Saints’ defensive assistant coach.
The week one matchup against the Raiders will be Allen’s debut as the Saints’ full-time defensive coordinator and it will be a trial by fire against the high powered attack of third-year Black and Siler signal caller Derek Carr, Pro Bowl receiver Amari Cooper, running back Latavius Murray, and a young and solid offensive line featuring tackles Donald Penn and Menelik Watson and guard Kelechi Osemele.