The New Orleans Saints firing of head coach Dennis Allen has finally prompted the discussion many Saints fans have wanted to have for a few months now, who are the options at head coach? The internal candidate attempt did not work with Allen, and now they will likely end up looking externally after the season to find their full-time replacement. With Darren Rizzi taking over as the interim head coach, they will make the decision on whether he is worth keeping long-term or if an external candidate is worth pursuing instead this time.

Here are some of the best fits for the head coaching gig in no particular order:

1. Ben Johnson - Detroit Lions offensive coordinator

Likely the most prominent option in this upcoming class of head coaching options, Ben Johnson has been a very notable candidate for a few years now. The Detroit Lions have had an absolutely monstrous offense in 2024, and have proven that they will be one of the contenders to come out of the NFC this year for the Super Bowl. With Johnson working under former Saints coach Dan Campbell currently, he may have some scheming DNA from the Saints already tied into his play calling, but he will most definitely be a hard catch. Any team with a head coaching vacancy this offseason will likely take a shot at Johnson, and at the moment the Saints may not be the most desirable landing spot. Regardless, if they could land him, it would be an immediate long-term upgrade and give the Saints a shot every year to be competitive.

2. Todd Monken - Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator

The other offense that has been exceptional this season is the Baltimore Ravens, who through nine games lead the league in total offensive yards (4,013) and rushing yards (1,727), and are second in passing yards (2,286) and passing touchdowns (20). Alot of this comes down to talent no doubt, with Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and Zay Flowers all looking very promising together this season. However, it is also a coaching success, as Todd Monken has utilized these talents to the best of his abilities and has given them the platform to showcase their talents. While the Ravens have had their struggles at times this season, Monken has shown he may be a viable head coach candidate entering this offseason.

3. Will Stein - Oregon Ducks offensive coordinator

There always has to be the consideration of college options when it comes to head coaching decisions, and one of the best in the game right now is Oregon Ducks offensive coordinator Will Stein. Oregon is currently ranked eighth in FBS college football for offensive yards (4,207), T-13th in yards per play (6.84), T-8th in offensive touchdowns (39), and most importantly, are ranked #1 in the AP Poll for this season after the talent they have accrued. While Dillon Gabriel was a quality talent prior to his stint with the Ducks, he has now become one of the better players in the sport and is leading this talent-filled offense of Evan Stewart, Tez Johnson, Terrance Ferguson, Jordan James, and so many more to new heights. Much of this comes from the scheme Stein has created, and he may be an option for the Saints this upcoming offseason.

4. Darren Rizzi - New Orleans Saints special teams coordinator

Once again, the internal candidate usually has the largest chance of proving themselves when it comes to these decisions. While the Saints will take quite a few interviews presumably, they ultimately will get a half-season sample size from Darren Rizzi as head coach on top of his pedigree as special teams coordinator which has already been shown. Rizzi has been outstanding for the special teams unit in New Orleans for five seasons now, and his emotional responses to great plays have been one of the few fun moments in the last few years for the Saints. While the internal candidate choice ultimately failed with Allen, Rizzi is a whole different coach and could be a consideration as opposed to an external choice.

5. Bobby Slowik - Houston Texans offensive coordinator

One thing you will notice thus far is the options primarily being from the offensive side of the ball and not defense, as the Saints offense desperately needs more attention no doubt. Ultimately, it also comes down to the development of whoever the future quarterback may be for the Saints, and Bobby Slowik was on the staff that developed CJ Stroud in 2023 and brought that team to the playoffs when nearly nobody expected it. Now the Houston Texans sit at 6-3 atop the AFC South, and their offense has been strong despite the injuries to Stefon Diggs and Nico Collins. Slowik has been a fast-rising candidate for a head coaching spot and could inject life into this Saints team with a fast-developing system.

6. Jesse Minter - Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator

Now we get to a couple of defensive options, with the thought that maybe Klint Kubiak is retained and given the reigns on offense. The Los Angeles Chargers defense has been outstanding this season, as the Saints saw only a few weeks ago. They rank 7th best in defensive yards allowed, 4th best in defensive touchdowns allowed, 7th in interceptions gained, and are the best in QBR allowed, giving up only a 75.9 QBR to opposing quarterbacks. Minter was one of the coaches who came over in the Jim Harbaugh move and has been outstanding for their defense in his first year with the team. While it may be a tad early to consider him for head coach, being ahead of the curve tends to be preferred to being behind the curve nowadays at the head coach spot.

7. Aaron Glenn - Detroit Lions defensive coordinator

Finally, we have somewhat an opposite proposal to Minter, with former Saint in both his playing and coaching career Aaron Glenn. While the Detroit Lions offense gets a ton of credit, their defense has also been outstanding this season in large part due to Glenn. He has been with the Lions since Dan Campbell went to head coach there in 2021, but prior to that was with the Saints for four seasons from 2016-2020, and played for them back in 2008 as well. Glenn did very well with the secondary in New Orleans when coaching them, and that is shown by Campbell taking him with him rather than leaving him with the Saints. Both offensive and defensive coordinator from the Lions could be considered options for the Saints' opening, and Glenn has the rapport with New Orleans to give him an edge over the competition potentially.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Possible head coach candidates after the firing of Dennis Allen