Many first-time head coaches prefer to have a former head coach on their staff to assist with the transition into their new role. Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson has been able to turn to his defensive coordinator, Dennis Allen, for advice.
The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue's most recent article covered the new head coach and getting advice from the former head coach. Early in August, Johnson shared what Allen told him as part of the piece.
"Earlier this month, Johnson, the 39-year-old head coach of the Bears after three highly successful seasons as the Detroit Lions’ OC, said he has gotten advice during morning visits with Allen, who served as the Saints head coach from 2022-24 after seven years in New Orleans as defensive coordinator.
He said, ‘When you’re in that seat, you got to come into work every morning and say there are going to be four or five things that come across my desk that (you’re) not anticipating,'” Johnson recalled. “If you think that it’s going to be smooth sailing, you’re going to be disappointed, but if you come in with that expectation, you’re going to be just fine.”
What NFL head coaches learn from their top assistants: https://t.co/jnTYMbZ956
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) August 31, 2025
Johnson has a good partner in Allen in Chicago
Allen has extensive experience as a head coach in the NFL, having navigated the highs and lows of the job, including his stints with the then-Oakland Raiders and New Orleans Saints. He has gone 26-53 as a head coach, with just one winning season in 2023, when the Saints finished 9-8.
Johnson is in his first year as the head coach after an incredible three-year run as the Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator. Each season, the offense has finished in the top five in total offense and points.
The pair has seemed to work together well, as Allen is considered one of the top defensive minds in the game, while Johnson is regarded as the top offensive genius in the NFL. Their collaborative experience has given Bears fans plenty to be excited about.
One aspect is that both are tough-minded coaches. They are bringing in a whole different culture that Chicago has not seen in a long time, as both guys are not afraid to get after it with their players and push them to be great. That has been sorely missing over the last three seasons.
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The Bears are fortunate to have these coaches on their side, as it indicates that Chicago is entering a new era that should bring success in the near future.