Dennis Allen (American football)
Encyclopedia
Dennis Allen is the Defensive Coordinator
for the Denver Broncos
of the National Football League
.
Allen previously coached for the New Orleans Saints
, Atlanta Falcons
, Tulsa University
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.
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.
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).
Over his last two years in Atlanta, the Falcons’ defensive line was the anchor of the defense. In 2004, Atlanta led the NFL for the first time in club history with 48 sacks
and the unit sent DE
Patrick Kerney
to the Pro Bowl
. In 2005 DT Rod Coleman represented the club in the postseason all-star game and the Falcons notched 37 sacks.
In 2006, Allen was in charge of the Saints' defensive line, who combined for over 290 tackles
, 28.5 sacks, six forced fumble
s and six fumble recoveries. The season was highlighted by the Pro Bowl selection DE Will Smith.
On January 24, Allen was hired by the Denver Broncos
to become their Defensive Coordinator.
Defensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
for the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
.
Allen previously coached for the New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
, Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Tulsa University
Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Tulsa Golden Hurricane athletics programs include the extramural and intramural sports team of the University of Tulsa. These teams are referred to as the Tulsa Golden Hurricane...
and his alma mater, Texas A&M University
Texas A&M Aggies
Texas A&M Aggies refers to the students, graduates, and sports teams of Texas A&M University. The nickname "Aggie" is common at land-grant or "Ag" schools in many states. The teams compete in Division I of NCAA sports...
. His father Grady Allen
Grady Allen
Grady Lynn Allen is a former professional American football player who played linebacker for five seasons for the Atlanta Falcons. His son Dennis is the defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos....
was also a standout linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
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.
Playing career
Allen was a highly-recruited defensive backDefensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
at L. D. Bell High School in Hurst, Texas
Hurst, Texas
Hurst is a city in Tarrant County, Texas, United States. Hurst is one of the Mid-Cities between Fort Worth and Dallas, but is a suburb of Fort Worth. The city was founded by William Letchworth Hurst...
before choosing to follow in his father's footsteps and play for Texas A&M
Texas A&M Aggies
Texas A&M Aggies refers to the students, graduates, and sports teams of Texas A&M University. The nickname "Aggie" is common at land-grant or "Ag" schools in many states. The teams compete in Division I of NCAA sports...
. Allen was a 4-year letterman for the Aggies as a safety from 1992-1995. He started
Starting lineup
A starting lineup in sports is an official list of the set of players who will actively participate in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes or bench players.The starters are commonly the best...
the final 21 games of his career on the top-rated Texas A&M "Wrecking Crew" defense. His fourth-quarter interception
Interception (football)
An interception, intercept or pick is a move in many forms of football, including Canadian and American football, as well as rugby league, rugby union, Australian rules football and Gaelic football, which involves a pass, either by foot or hand, being caught by an opposition player, who usually...
clinched an 18-9 victory over rival Texas
Texas Longhorns football
The Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National...
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
Oklahoma Sooners football
The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
in 1994. Allen was signed as an undrafted free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
by the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
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. SlocumR. C. Slocum
Richard Copeland Slocum , better known as R. C. Slocum, was the head football coach at Texas A&M University from 1989 until 2002. He has won more games as coach than anyone else in Texas A&M football history.-Personal:...
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.Over his last two years in Atlanta, the Falcons’ defensive line was the anchor of the defense. In 2004, Atlanta led the NFL for the first time in club history with 48 sacks
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
and the unit sent DE
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
Patrick Kerney
Patrick Kerney
-Atlanta Falcons:Kerney was drafted as the thirtieth overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, wearing the number 97 jersey. The Falcons signed Kerney to a 5-year $5.6 million contract. As a rookie, Kerney started two games and recorded 25 tackles and 2.5 sacks...
to the Pro Bowl
2005 Pro Bowl
The 2005 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl was played February 13, 2005 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. The final score was AFC 38 - NFC 27. The most valuable player was Peyton Manning of the Colts. The game holds the record as the latest Pro Bowl played during the calendar year.-Game summary:The game...
. In 2005 DT Rod Coleman represented the club in the postseason all-star game and the Falcons notched 37 sacks.
In 2006, Allen was in charge of the Saints' defensive line, who combined for over 290 tackles
Tackle (football move)
Most forms of football have a move known as a tackle. The primary purposes of tackling is to disposses an opponent of the ball, to stop the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they intend....
, 28.5 sacks, six forced fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
s and six fumble recoveries. The season was highlighted by the Pro Bowl selection DE Will Smith.
On January 24, Allen was hired by the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
to become their Defensive Coordinator.
Coaching tree
NFL head coaches under whom Dennis Allen has served:- Wade PhillipsWade PhillipsWade Allen Phillips is the defensive coordinator for the Houston Texans and former head coach for the National Football League's Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, and Buffalo Bills. He was also an interim head coach for the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons...
: Dallas CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas... - Sean PaytonSean PaytonPatrick Sean Payton is the current head coach of the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. Payton was a quarterback at Naperville Central High School and Eastern Illinois University and played professionally in 1987 and 1988...
: New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... - John Fox: Denver BroncosDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...