The Saints are promoting their defensive coordinator to replace Sean Payton.
The New Orleans Saints have found their replacement for head coach Sean Peyton, and this is an internal promotion. The team has informed defensive coordinator Dennis Allen that they are promoting him to the role of head coach, according to Adam Schefter.
Allen is getting a second chance to become the head coach of the NFL. The Oakland Raiders hired him in 2012 and fired him in 2014. Their teams were 4–12 in 2012 and 2013 and were relegated after a 0–4 start in the 2014 season. After he was fired by the Raiders, he joined Payton's coaching staff in 2015 as a senior defensive assistant. He was named the defensive coordinator and has been serving that role ever since.
Allen replaced Peyton when he later served 15 years as head coach. The Saints won one Super Bowl and were 152–89 during Peyton's tenure. They finished last season 9-8 and missed the playoffs. Peyton's teams made nine playoff appearances, including three conference title game appearances.