Colts DC Candidates: Dennis Allen

Dennis Allen is one in every of, if not the, most sought-after DC candidates of the 2024 teaching carousel. The previous head coach and defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints, Allen has made a reputation for himself by main one of many extra profitable defenses of the previous decade.

Background

Allen started his teaching profession as a Graduate Assistant at his alma mater, Texas A&M, for 4 seasons earlier than touchdown a job with Tulsa as their Secondary Coach. After becoming a member of Tulsa’s employees in 2000, Allen would keep for 2 seasons earlier than making the soar to the NFL.

His NFL teaching profession would begin serving as each a Defensive Assistant and High quality Management Coach for the Atlanta Falcons. After a four-year stint in Georgia, Allen discovered himself in New Orleans for the primary of two tenures.

Throughout his preliminary tenure with the Saints, Allen was a part of the defensive employees for 5 seasons. He would function the Assistant Defensive Line Coach for 2 years (2006-07) earlier than elevating to the Saints’ Secondary Coach (2008-10) the place he’d assist play a component in successful Tremendous Bowl XLVI in opposition to the Indianapolis Colts.

After this stretch in New Orleans, Allen spent his subsequent 4 years as an NFL coach within the AFC West Division. Incomes his first Defensive Coordinator gig, Allen spent his only one season in Denver earlier than jettisoning to the then-Oakland Raiders as a first-time Head Coach.

Though it was a shaky begin as a primary time Defensive Coordinator and Head Coach, Allen returned to New Orleans to proper the ship — and that he did, defensively that’s.

Specializing in teaching defensive backs, Allen has change into one of the vital well-regarded defensive minds within the NFL since taking on as DC again in 2016.

Scheme

Allen’s defensive philosophy is rooted within the conventional 4-3 facet of issues. His base is that of closed-post protection although Tampa and Quarters are utilized as he sees match. Dime, Nickel, 4-2-5, 3-3-5, you title it, Allen’s seemingly tried it.

Allen’s affect and prioritization of versatility among the many defensive backfield is obvious whenever you pop the hood. Defensive backs in Allen’s scheme are required to do all of it:

change image post-snap (late rotations, disguises, and so forth.)
man protection strengths
hook defender at security
deep half rules
backfield imaginative and prescient in zone
blitz means

Defenses below Allen are huge of their means to point out a number of fronts and coverages off of them. He’s additionally proven a powerful means to reap the benefits of mismatches based mostly on personnel. Under is a incredible instance of Allen’s a number of scheme at work.

One thing else that Dennis Allen’s defenses are recognized for at this level is his means to get his unit off the sector on cash downs (aka third/4th down). Extra particularly, his strain calls in these high-leverage conditions, which require the utmost self-discipline from these in protection, could I add, are how Allen succeeds a lot on this space.

In terms of personnel matchups, Allen is a number of in that regard as effectively, although he has some typical calls that he likes to go to.

Versus 12 personnel (1 RB, 2 TEs): 4-3 personnel accompanied by an over entrance or 3 LBs

Versus 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE): 4-2 nickel

Versus 21 personnel (2 RBs, 1 TE): 4-3 personnel matched with bear or odd fronts

Defenses below Allen have largely been a disciplined unit. Gamers hardly ever get fooled on boots or screens and showcase a powerful understanding of the sport — well-coached certainly.

Statistically

Since turning into the Saints’ DC, in addition to the eventual HC, Allen’s defenses have steadily been close to the highest of most metrics.

Allen has produced elite stretches in every of the next latter phases (crimson zone landing share, run protection, and third down protection) however his protection’s scoring averages have been most constant. The one time his Saints defenses have been ranked exterior the High 14 in scoring has been his first 12 months as New Orleans’ DC and his final season because the crew’s Head Coach.