MOBILE, Ala. -- Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie indicated to CSNCalifornia.com Wednesday morning via text message that he has a "handshake agreement" with Dennis Allen to become the next head coach of the Oakland Raiders.
McKenzie indicated the two are currently finalizing the details of the contract.
Multiple sources reported Tuesday that a deal had been struck between McKenzie and Allen. At age 39, Allen will be the second- youngest current head coach in the NFL -- six months older than Pittsburgh's Mike Tomlin.Allen spent last season as Denver's defensive coordinator. Under his guidance the Broncos improved in every defensive category from 2010:Point allowed: 32nd in 2010 -- 24th in 2011
Rush yardsgame: from 31st to 22nd
Pass yardsgame: from 25th to 18th
Total yardsgame: from 32nd to 20th
Third downs: from tied for 17th to 6th
Red-zone TDs: from 27th to 15th
His NFL coaching career began with Atlanta in 2002, assisting with the secondary. He then moved to defensive assistantquality control, with emphasis on the defensive line. He was hired by the Saints as assistant defensive line coach in 2006, then moved to secondary coach in 2008.
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