As Aaron Glenn continues to elevate the Detroit Lions’ defense, speculation is growing about the possibility of him landing a head coaching job elsewhere. Should that occur, the Lions might already have a potential successor in mind: Dennis Allen, the former head coach of the New Orleans Saints.
Dennis Allen’s Record as a Defensive Coordinator
Although Dennis Allen was dismissed as head coach of the New Orleans Saints after a difficult 2-7 start to the 2023 season, his reputation as a defensive strategist remains solid. Allen served as the Saints’ defensive coordinator from 2015 to 2021, overseeing one of the NFL’s most formidable defenses during that period. Under his guidance, the Saints’ defense saw a remarkable turnaround, improving from one of the league’s worst to a top-tier unit. Notably, in 2020, his defense ranked 5th in points allowed and 4th in yards allowed — a significant jump from 31st and 27th in those categories when he first took over.
Allen’s Impact and Defensive Success
Despite a challenging head coaching tenure with a 26-53 record over parts of six seasons, Allen’s ability to build a strong defense was never in doubt. Even during his final two years in New Orleans (2022 and 2023), the team maintained a top-10 scoring defense, despite struggling on the offensive side of the ball. This further highlighted Allen’s defensive expertise and his capacity to adapt under difficult circumstances.
