CHICAGO (WGN) — The Chicago Bears are hiring former New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen as their new defensive coordinator, according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Rapoport reports Allen was a favorite to land in Chicago as new head coach Ben Johnson’s defensive coordinator, who was hired to take over the Bears less than one week ago.
Before joining Chicago’s coaching staff, Allen served as head coach of the Saints for a little more than two-and-a-half years before being fired after losing seven straight games earlier this NFL season.
Before he was promoted to be New Orleans’ head coach ahead of the 2022 NFL season, Allen spent more than six years as the Saints’ defensive coordinator and possesses 27 years of coaching experience, 21 of which have come at the professional level.
Allen’s defenses ranked in the top 10 in yards per game and in the top five in opponents points per game in 2022 and 2023. During 16 seasons where he coached a position, served as a defensive coordinator and as a head coach, Allen has coached ten players to a total of 21 Pro Bowl selections.
Allen joins Chicago on the same day the team also reportedly hired Denver Broncos tight ends coach Declan Doyle to be their new offensive coordinator.