Dennis Allen’s relationships may have an impact on the New Orleans Saints coaching hires.

In his first season as head coach of the New Orleans Saints, Dennis Allen’s club finished with a 7-10 record in 2022. Allen made significant changes to his defensive coaching staff that season, even though his defense ranked in the top five. The Saints fired both highly regarded coaches Ryan Nielsen and Kris Richard, who were the co-coordinators. It’s interesting to note that Allen was a former associate of every new coach hired for 2023. In 2014, Joe Woods, the defensive coordinator, coached defensive backs for the Oakland Raiders under Dennis Allen. Marcus Robertson was the assistant secondary coach for that 2014 Raiders team before being called in to teach the New Orleans defensive backs. Allen was a defensive back for Texas A&M in 1993, and even the TE coach, Clancy Barone, was an offensive assistant there. Barone was additionally the TE coach for the 2011 Denver Broncos, when Allen was the team’s defensive coordinator. Let’s go back to 2023. Despite having a stronger final record (9-8), the Saints were unable to make the playoffs for the third consecutive season. Along with senior offensive assistant Bob Bicknell and wide receiver coach Kodi Burns, longtime offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael was let go. Barone and offensive line coach Doug Marrone, who worked with Allen on Sean Payton’s first New Orleans staff in 2006 and 2008, are still in place as of right now.

The Saints have requested permission to interview Bengals QB coach Tom Pitcher, Rams QB coach Zac Robinson, and Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron so far. There will certainly be more candidates emerging in the coming weeks, both for offensive coordinator and other positions on the staff. With recent history serving as a guide, don’t be surprised if the Saints speak with a few coaches that have worked with Allen before. Here are a few names to watch. BRIAN CALLAHAN

Aug 1, 2022; Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, left, talks with Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Brandon Allen (8) during a training camp practice. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports Callahan has been the offensive coordinator with the Cincinnati Bengals for the last five seasons. Working with offensive-minded head coach Zac Taylor, the Bengals are loaded with weapons like QB Joe Burrow, WRs Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, and RB Joe Mixon. Just 39 years old, Callahan began his coaching career as offensive quality control coach with the Denver Broncos in 2010. He was on the staff when Dennis Allen was Denver’s defensive coordinator in 2011.

Even with Burrow out for the final seven games of the season, former undrafted quarterback Jake Browning kept Cincinnati running smoothly. This has elevated Tom Pitcher’s stature and established Callahan as a serious contender for head coaching. The Saints’ chances of acquiring Brian Callahan—who might wind up as a head coach—seem extremely slim. If not, Callahan might be enticed to New Orleans with the promise of an associate head coaching position and, for the first time in his career, total command of an offense. JOHAN DEFILIPPO

April 16, 2023: John DeFilippo, head coach of the New Orleans Breakers, watches a USFL football game between the Pittsburgh Maulers. Required Credit: USA TODAY Sports’ Vasha Hunt DeFilippo, 45, most recently served as the USFL’s New Orleans Breakers’ head coach. His final NFL position was with the Chicago Bears in 2020 and 2021 as their quarterback coach. Additionally, he worked as an offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings (2018), Jacksonville Jaguars (2019), and Cleveland Browns (2015). DeFilippo was the QB coach for all three of Dennis Allen’s three years as Oakland’s head coach. DeFilippo spent his one season as the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars under current Saints offensive line coach Doug Marrone.

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