Report: Raiders to hire Allen

Dennis Allen is set to become the next head coach of the Oakland Raiders, according to a report from ESPN.com

Allen, who was the defensive co-ordinator of the Denver Broncos in 2011, will become the Raiders' first head coach with a defensive background since John Madden was hired in 1969.

According to the report, Allen and the Raiders agreed to a deal in principle on Tuesday and are said to be hammering out the final stages of the contract.

Allen, who is a bit of an unknown, has only spent one year as a NFL defensive co-ordinator and has no head coaching experience. He is expected to keep a 4-3 defence in Oakland but it is unclear who Allen will hire to run the offence.

New general manager Reggie McKenzie surprised many when he chose Allen over Packers assistant Winston Moss, who he worked with in Green Bay.

The Raiders finished 8-8 in 2011 and missed the playoffs for the ninth consecutive year.