Many teams are undergoing huge changes this off-season before the start of the new NFL campaign, but while many teams are rebuilding from top to bottom, the New Orleans Saints decided to 'keep the DNA' by promoting defensive coordinator Dennis Allen to head coach.
Sean Payton was the head coach of the Saints for 15 years (2006-2021) before calling time on his role at the end of last season. He led the side to their first Super Bowl victory in 2009, so it'll be a tough ask for Allen to follow suit.
But while the Saints could have looked externally for a new head coach, they instead decided to go with Allen, who is familiar with how the side operate, and it's a decision that has been praised by the players in the Saints dressing room.
In particular, Mark Ingram has heaped praise on the decision to promote Allen, insisting it kept the side's DNA intact.
"I think that was huge, keeping the DNA the same," said Ingram.
"It's not like it's a full rebuild here. I think you have a team that can make a lot of noise and make a run at it.
"Obviously, we have to improve and get better and gel as a unit, but I think keeping the DNA of the team, the culture of the team the same, I think that's huge and I think we'll all benefit from it."
Allen will appreciate Ingram's opinion considering his eight years of experience with the Saints. Allen will also remain as the side's DC, while quarterback coach Pete Carmichael has been appointed the new offensive coordinator.
"Obviously, D.A. is different from Sean. But D.A. has done a great job of just trying to keep it as normal as possible and adding his own kind of flavor to it," Ingram added.
"I think the defense is more used to it, because they spent so much time with him in defensive meetings. We only saw him sometimes when he had to fill in. But I like him a lot.
"I think he's doing a great job with the team, he's doing a great job in the team meetings, he's doing a great job with us out there telling us let's get our work done, let's be efficient, let's be effective, let's improve, let's work, let's have a sense of urgency.
"He's going to take care of us and get us off the field. I think he's done a great job. Just having the same DNA, the same culture of the team, I think that's going to be good for everyone in the locker room."
Allen will hope to improve on the Saints' 9-8 record last season, which saw them finish second in the NFC South behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Their season starts on September 11 when they hit the road to face the Atlanta Falcons in their opening match.
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