New York Giants: 10 Potential Defensive Coordinator Replacements For Perry Fewell

Sep 24, 2014; Bagshot, UNITED KINGDOM; Oakland Raiders coach Dennis Allen at press conference at Pennyhill Park Hotel in advance of the NFL International Series game against the Miami Dolphins. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Dennis Allen

Current Position: None
Last Position: Head Coach Oakland Raiders

Allen was overwhelmed as head coach of the Raiders, as he was not ready to be a leader of a team. Having your first shot as a head coach with a franchise as dysfunctional as the Raiders also doesn’t help. It was a poor fit, as the Raiders have been stuck in a rut and missed the postseason for 12 straight seasons.

Even with the struggles that Allen faced as head coach with the Raiders, he is still considered one of the great defensive minds in the game, and at 42 years of age he is still relatively young in coaching circles. The defenses that he has had a hand in prior to the Raiders head coaching job had some impressive stats to back up that claim.

With the New Orleans Saints in 2009, when they won the Super Bowl, Allen was the secondary coach for an opportunistic team that finished third in the NFL in interceptions. As the defensive coordinator with the Denver Broncos in 2011, the Broncos finished 23rd in yards allowed but 5th in sacks, doing enough to help get the Broncos their first AFC West division title in five seasons.

Allen would be a strong choice for the Giants to lead their defense. He would bring a fresh start and approach to a defense that is in need of a jump start. Allen will also be trying to show teams that the debacle in Oakland was more because of the organization, not because of a lack of coaching acumen.

Next: Buffalo Bills Defensive Coordinator