ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Raiders reportedly will hire Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Dennis Allen as their new head coach.
Fox Sports and ESPN reported Tuesday night that the sides were still working out final details but an agreement had been reached. The Raiders have not confirmed the hiring.
Allen will be the first Raiders coach with a defensive background since late owner Al Davis hired John Madden before the 1969 season. Davis exclusively hired offensive coaches after Madden, including Hue Jackson, who was fired after going 8-8 in his only season on the job.
The 39-year-old Allen helped the Broncos improve from allowing a league-worst 29.4 points and 390.8 yards per game to ranking 20th in yards (357.8) and 24th in points (24.4) this season on the way to an AFC West title. Allen had served as New Orleans’ secondary coach the previous five seasons and also had coached for Atlanta.
