For a first-time head coach, transitioning from coaching one side of the ball or one position to managing an entire football team can be a challenge. Ultimately, some coaches prove they just aren't suited to being a head coach, and others thrive upon making that natural progression up the ladder.
Time will tell where Ben Johnson lands on that success/failure spectrum. He is setting a tone during his first training camp as Chicago Bears head coach, though, making his voice heard, pulling players off the practice field if details are not on-point, and generally offering honest assessments of situations.
When he was hired as the Bears' new defensive coordinator, Dennis Allen revealed how Johnson had reached out to him late last season to gauge his interest in joining him wherever he landed as a head coach . Detroit Lions fans did not love that, of course, since to them it served as an indicator Johnson was not fully focused on his duties as offensive coordinator.
However common a practice it likely is for head coaching candidates to reach out to prospective staff members, and Allen did not have a job at the time, Johnson knew what he needed to have on his staff as a first-time head coach.
While Allen has not been a successful head coach, with a 26-53 record over all or part of six seasons, evenly split between the Oakland Raiders and the New Orleans Saints, he does have experience that has taught him valuable lessons.
Aside from that, Allen is a proven successful defensive mind, having guided a top-10 scoring defense in each of his last four full seasons (2020-2023) in New Orleans as the defensive coordinator or the head coach. With Johnson's roots on offense, Allen can run the defense without impediment.
Dennis Allen confirms where some of his greatest value to Ben Johnson will be
Allen spoke to reporters on the first day of Bears training camp, and the topic of game management with Johnson being a first-time head coach came up. Allen dismissed concerns about any issues there, generally noting the veteran coaches who are in place to help Johnson out.
Allen was asked what he did as a young coach to get himself ready for his first season as a head coach. He started by referencing what Johnson had said about that the previous day, before getting into more detail.
"Exactly the same things that he (Johnson) just talked about yesterday in his press conference," Allen said. "You're watching tape and you're trying to put yourself through as many of those scenarios as you can. You're watching tape. When we're out here at practice, you're putting yourself through those scenarios. But ultimately, there's no substitute for being in live battle and being able to do those things. When I first started calling defensive plays, I feel like I'm much further along than I was on day one as a defensive coordinator. So that experience has helped me in that way. I think that'll help Ben as he goes through as a head coach."
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It's interesting, though a sign of humility too, that Allen didn't specifically mention himself as a veteran assistant coach who can help Johnson navigate in-game situations. But there is no doubt, beyond his handling of the defense, he will have great value there, as Johnson's staff can only be better than their predecessors in handling game management.