ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) — Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie never doubted he would bring back coach Dennis Allen for a third year despite back-to-back 4-12 records.
If anything, McKenzie believes the team is on the cusp of turning around what has been a decade-long tailspin and likes the direction the franchise is moving under Allen.
Speaking to reporters for the first time in more than two months, McKenzie said Thursday that he purposely kept a low profile while rumors swirled about Allen’s job status during the final month of the regular season in hopes the chatter would go away.
Oakland ended the season on a six-game losing streak and dropped eight of its last nine. McKenzie still gave Allen a vote of confidence and pointed out the team’s dearth of talent on the roster.
