NFL Report: Chicago Could Be The Destination For Another Saints Coach

With Dennis Allen expected to be hired by the Bears, reports immediately followed that he could soon be joined by another Saints coach.
New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi reacts to a play against the Los Angeles Rams
New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi reacts to a play against the Los Angeles Rams / Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

The New Orleans Saints didn't exactly have a standout season. New Orleans finished with a 5-12 record, missing the playoffs for a fourth consecutive year. They fired coach Dennis Allen after a 2-7 start, then finished 3-5 under interim coach and special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi.

Despite ranking near the bottom of the NFL in several categories, some New Orleans coaches are in high demand throughout the league.

Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has been linked to several openings with other teams, including a second interview with the Seattle Seahawks. Dennis Allen has also been mentioned as a possible defensive assistant in more than a few other spots.

On Monday, Allen was mentioned as a leading candidate to become the defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears and newly-hired coach Ben Johnson. That was first reported by ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Later in the evening on Monday, Schefter mentioned that another New Orleans coach has also caught the interest of Ben Johnson and the Bears.

New Orleans Saints head coach Darren Rizzi reacts to an official's call against the New York Giants
New Orleans Saints head coach Darren Rizzi reacts to an official's call against the New York Giants / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Darren Rizzi

Schefter posted a message on X (formerly Twitter) that the ''Bears also are heavily pursuing former Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi as their special teams coach, per sources.

He has interest from over a half-dozen teams but if Rizzi doesn’t land a head coaching job, Chicago is his potential landing spot.''

Rizzi, 54, has been the special teams coordinator for the Saints since 2019. Over those six seasons, New Orleans has annually been among the NFL's top special teams units.

New Orleans Saints coach Darren Rizzi greets running back Alvin Kamara (41) before a game against the Los Angeles Rams
New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi greets running back Alvin Kamara (41) before a game against the Los Angeles Rams / Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Since the end of the regular season, Rizzi has officially interviewed with the New York Jets for their head coaching vacancy. He's also among seven candidates officially interviewed by the Saints for their head coaching spot.

The New Orleans interviews include:

• Rizzi
• Joe Brady
• Aaron Glenn
• Mike Kafka
• Mike McCarthy
• Kellen Moore
• Anthony Weaver

Adam Schefter goes on to report that if Rizzi doesn’t get the head coaching job with New Orleans or New York, that up to a half dozen teams are interested in him as an assistant.

Darren Rizzi is a respected coach throughout the league and one of the NFL's best special teams coordinators. He won't be out of a job long.

Dennis Allen is already expected to wind up in Chicago. According to Schefter and other sources, he may be joined quickly by one of his former assistants in Rizzi as Ben Johnson forms his new staff in Chicago.


Dennis Alle
Oct 17, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen reacts against the Denver Broncos during the second quarter at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images / Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

An Earlier Report: Saints Former Head Coach Expected To Land With New Bears Staff

Former New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen will apparently not be unemployed for long. A Monday report has Allen expected to land with a new team this week.

ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reports that Allen is the leading candidate to be hired by the Chicago Bears as their next defensive coordinator.

Chicago closed quickly on their new coach, hiring Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson for the role. This was first reported by the Detroit Free Press on Monday afternoon.

Schefter said, ''Ben Johnson has been busy assembling a star-studded coaching staff. The leading candidate to become his defensive coordinator in Chicago is former Saints HC Dennis Allen, per league sources.''

Allen, 52, was fired as head coach of the Saints after a 2-7 start to this season. He was in his third year as New Orleans coach, compiling an 18-25 record. Allen was also head coach of the Oakland Raiders from 2012 to 2014. His 8-28 mark with the Raiders brings his career coaching mark to 26-53, a winning percentage of .329.

Prior to Allen getting promoted in New Orleans, he had been defensive coordinator for the Saints from 2015 to 2021. Allen was also secondary coach for New Orleans from 2006 to 2010.

While his failings as head coach are clear, Dennis Allen is a well-respected defensive coach throughout the league. Since being fired by New Orleans, he has been interviewed for a defensive coordinator spot by the Indianapolis Colts and mentioned as a possible assistant for the Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos.

READ MORE OF THE SAINTS NEWS ARTICLE


Mike McCarth
Dec 15, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy walks off the field after the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images / Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

MORE ON COACHING INTERVIEWS: Saints Setting Up In-Person Interview With Ex-Cowboys Coach Mike McCarthy

The Saints are lining up the interviews for their open head coach spot. We've now learned of four different in-person interviews that are supposed to take place this week, with ex-Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy the latest name to be added to the mix.

According to NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill, the interview logistics are being worked on to get him in the building this week. However, New Orleans is seeing some snow enter the area on Tuesday, which is extremely uncharacteristic for the area.

Mike Kafka's interview is on Tuesday, while Anthony Weaver's is on Wednesday. Aaron Glenn will also be in the building, assuming the Jets don't secure him first.

New Orleans is casting a large net for their next head coach, and they really need to get it right. Saints GM Mickey Loomis said last week that the team was worried more about getting the best candidate possible over trying to go with an offensive-minded or defensive-minded coach.

READ MORE OF THE SAINTS NEWS ARTICLE ON COACHING INTERVIEWS


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Bob Rose
BOB ROSE

Covers the New Orleans Saints as a senior writer for the Saints News Network.  Co-Host of the Bayou Blitz Podcast.