Dennis Allen

Dennis Allen (born September 22, 1972) is the 18th 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.

Playing career
Allen was not known a highly-recruited defensive back at L. D. Bell High School in Hurst, Texas before choosing to follow in his father's footsteps and play for Texas A&M. Allen was a 4-year letterman for the Aggies as a safety from 1992-1995. He started the final 21 games of his career on the top-rated Texas A&M "Wrecking Crew" defense. His fourth-quarter interception clinched an 18-9 victory over rival Texas in 1993, sending the Aggies to their third-straight Cotton Bowl Classic. He won Southwest Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors after intercepting two passes in a 36-14 win over Oklahoma in 1994. Allen was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Buffalo Bills and competed in their training camp in 1996.

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. He then went on to Tulsa where he was a secondary coach for two seasons (2000–2001).

National Football League
In 2002, Allen’s first year with the Falcons, when he assisted in coaching the defensive backfield, the club tied for third in the NFL with 24 interceptions and improved from 30th vs. the pass in 2001 to 16th the following year.

On January 24, 2011, Allen was hired by the Denver Broncos to become their defensive coordinator.

Oakland Raiders
On January 24, 2012, Allen was hired by the Oakland Raiders General Manager Reggie McKenzie to become their 18th head coach. He is the first Raiders head coach to have a defensive background since John Madden retired following the 1978 season as the team's former owner Al Davis, who passed away during the 2011 season, preferred to have offensive-minded head coaches.

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)