According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Dennis Allen will be returning to the New Orleans Saints as a "Senior Defensive Assistant." Allen previously served as the first head coach of the Reggie McKenzie era for the Oakland Raiders, compiling a woeful 8-28 record, and being fired after an 0-4 start to this season.
Former Raiders HC Dennis Allen is re-joining Saints in a senior defensive role, not heading to Chicago. Allen will work with NO DC Rob Ryan.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 20, 2015
Allen was with the Saints in a defensive assistant role from the start of the Payton era in 2006 and left after the 2010 season. He also served as the secondary coach from 2008 to the end of his Saints tenure, a stint that included the Saints' first and only Super Bowl win. After a disappointing season, especially on the defensive side of the ball, it is good to see some changes already being made. Although his exact role is still unknown, Allen will step in to help out Rob Ryan on a D that finished near the bottom in almost all key categories, including second to last in yards allowed .
Former Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland has also been hired by the Saints in a college scouting role, according to Schefter. Presumably Ireland will help fill the void left by the recently departed Josh Lucas.
It's not just Dennis Allen joining Saints. Former Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland is being hired to do college scouting for Saints, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 20, 2015
While the team is still a far-cry away from the 2009 championship team, bringing back key personnel could help the Saints trend in the right direction.