Raiders Looking to Hire Broncos' Dennis Allen as Head Coach

The search for a head coach may have come to an end for the Oakland Raiders.

According to NFL sources, the Raiders appear to be coveting Denver Broncos' defensive coordinator Dennis Allen as their replacement for Hue Jackson, who was fired on Jan.10.

Allen, 39, is reportedly meeting with Raiders management on Tuesday to iron out contract details. The Raiders have a history of hiring young head coaches. Former head coaches John Madden, Mike Shanahan, Jon Gruden and Lane Kiffin were all hired under the age of 40.

New general manager Reggie McKenzie, who had spent 18 years with the Green Bay Packers, appeared to be shaping the Raiders into a club similar to the Packers before the interest in Allen.

However, Allen has no link to Green Bay, unlike other candidates for the Raiders' head coaching vacancy. McKenzie had previously shown interest in Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, who was a former quarterbacks coach with Green Bay.

The interest in Allen might be a smart move for Oakland. The Raiders would not have to make a dramatic change to their defense as Allen runs a 4-3 defense, which the team has used over the past seven seasons.

The Raiders would also be taking away a division rival's coach after Allen had success with Denver. In 2011, the Broncos' defense performed better than many had expected after a dismal effort in 2010. Denver increased their sack total from 23 to 41, as the addition of rookie Von Miller helped propel the Broncos into the playoffs.

The last time Oakland hired a former Broncos assistant as their head coach was Shanahan in 1988.