Bruce Allen (American football)
Encyclopedia
Bruce Allen is the general manager
of the Washington Redskins
of the National Football League
. Previously, Allen served as general manager for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
(2004–2008) and as a senior executive with the Oakland Raiders
(1996–2003).
George Allen and brother of former Virginia governor
and Senator
George Allen
.
Allen attended high school
at Langley High School in McLean, Virginia
and went on to the University of Richmond
, where he played football
for the Spiders
in the 1974-1977 seasons. In his junior season, he ranked 16th nationally and broke the school record for punting, averaging 42.9 yards a kick; those numbers resulted in him being named to that year's All-ECAC and All-South Independent teams. In 1978, he was drafted in the 12th round by the Baltimore Colts
.
, whose relationship with 2002 Super Bowl-winning coach Jon Gruden
had deteriorated. The Glazer family, which owned and oversaw the Bucs, hired Allen to replace McKay, as Allen had worked with Gruden in Oakland.
Allen began to look for a more youthful team in Tampa Bay, immediately releasing long-time Buc John Lynch
and allowing Warren Sapp
to leave in free agency, along with drafting Auburn running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams in the 2005 draft.
The Bucs' performance during Allen's tenure was mixed. The team was 11-5 and won the NFC South division in 2005, but went 4-12 in 2006. The team rebounded to a 9-7 record and another NFC South title in 2007, after which Allen (and Gruden) had their contracts extended to 2011. Following a second 9-7 record in 2008 and missing the playoffs after four consecutive losses in December, however, both Allen and Gruden were released.
resigned. Allen's father coached the Redskins to its first Super Bowl appearance in 1973.
Shortly after Allen joined the Redskins, Mike Shanahan
was hired as head coach and executive vice president of football operations. He has the final say in football matters, but Shanahan and Allen will split general manager duties, working in a manner similar to how Bill Belichick
and Scott Pioli
worked in New England
. During their eight years together, Belichick and Pioli split the duties held by a general manager, but Belichick had the final say.
General Manager (American football)
In the National Football League, the general manager or GM of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the team during contract discussions with players....
of the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. Previously, Allen served as general manager for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
(2004–2008) and as a senior executive with the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(1996–2003).
Background
Allen is the son of Hall of Fame head coachHead coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
George Allen and brother of former Virginia governor
Governor of Virginia
The governor of Virginia serves as the chief executive of the Commonwealth of Virginia for a four-year term. The position is currently held by Republican Bob McDonnell, who was inaugurated on January 16, 2010, as the 71st governor of Virginia....
and Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
George Allen
George Allen (U.S. politician)
George Felix Allen is a former United States Senator from the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the son of former NFL head coach George Allen. Allen served Virginia in the state legislature, as the 67th Governor, and in both bodies of the U.S. Congress, winning election to the Senate in 2000...
.
Allen attended high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
at Langley High School in McLean, Virginia
McLean, Virginia
McLean is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Fairfax County in Northern Virginia. The community had a total population of 48,115 as of the 2010 census....
and went on to the University of Richmond
University of Richmond
The University of Richmond is a selective, private, nonsectarian, liberal arts university located on the border of the city of Richmond and Henrico County, Virginia. The University of Richmond is a primarily undergraduate, residential university with approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate...
, where he played football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for the Spiders
Richmond Spiders football
The Richmond Spiders are a college football team representing the University of Richmond in Richmond, Virginia. Richmond was the Division I Football Championship Subdivision champion for the 2008 season. Richmond currently competes in the Colonial Athletic Association of the NCAA's Division I...
in the 1974-1977 seasons. In his junior season, he ranked 16th nationally and broke the school record for punting, averaging 42.9 yards a kick; those numbers resulted in him being named to that year's All-ECAC and All-South Independent teams. In 1978, he was drafted in the 12th round by the Baltimore Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
.
Oakland Raiders
Allen first joined the Oakland Raiders organization in 1995. He won the George Young Executive of the Year award with the club in 2002.Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Following the 2003-2004 season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers released long-time general manager Rich McKayRich McKay
Rich McKay is the president, CEO, and former general manager of the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was the general manager of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when they won Super Bowl XXXVII.-Early years:...
, whose relationship with 2002 Super Bowl-winning coach Jon Gruden
Jon Gruden
Jon David Gruden is an American football analyst and former head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for seven seasons and prior to that the Oakland Raiders for four seasons. In his first year as the head coach of Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers won Super Bowl XXXVII, defeating the Raiders whom he had...
had deteriorated. The Glazer family, which owned and oversaw the Bucs, hired Allen to replace McKay, as Allen had worked with Gruden in Oakland.
Allen began to look for a more youthful team in Tampa Bay, immediately releasing long-time Buc John Lynch
John Lynch (American football)
John Terrence Lynch, Jr. is a former National Football League strong safety and current NFL on Fox color commentator. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Stanford.A nine-time Pro Bowl selection, Lynch earned a Super...
and allowing Warren Sapp
Warren Sapp
Warren Carlos Sapp is a retired American football player who played defensive tackle in the National Football League. He played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Oakland Raiders during his 13 year professional career, and college football for the University of Miami Hurricanes. He was then...
to leave in free agency, along with drafting Auburn running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams in the 2005 draft.
The Bucs' performance during Allen's tenure was mixed. The team was 11-5 and won the NFC South division in 2005, but went 4-12 in 2006. The team rebounded to a 9-7 record and another NFC South title in 2007, after which Allen (and Gruden) had their contracts extended to 2011. Following a second 9-7 record in 2008 and missing the playoffs after four consecutive losses in December, however, both Allen and Gruden were released.
Washington Redskins
On December 17, 2009, the Washington Redskins announced that they had hired Allen as their general manager shortly after executive vice president of football operations Vinny CerratoVinny Cerrato
Vinny Cerrato is the former Executive Vice President for Football Operations for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League and actor in the feature film Kindergarten Ninja.-Playing career:...
resigned. Allen's father coached the Redskins to its first Super Bowl appearance in 1973.
Shortly after Allen joined the Redskins, Mike Shanahan
Mike Shanahan
Michael Edward "Mike" Shanahan is the 28th and current head coach of the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. Shanahan also holds the title of Vice President of Football Operations with the Redskins, giving him full control over player personnel with the team. Shanahan previously...
was hired as head coach and executive vice president of football operations. He has the final say in football matters, but Shanahan and Allen will split general manager duties, working in a manner similar to how Bill Belichick
Bill Belichick
William Stephen "Bill" Belichick is an American football head coach for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. After spending his first 15 seasons in the league as an assistant coach, Belichick got his first head coaching job with the Cleveland Browns in 1991...
and Scott Pioli
Scott Pioli
Scott Pioli is a professional American football executive, currently serving as the general manager for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League . Pioli was previously a front office executive for the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, and New England Patriots...
worked in New England
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
. During their eight years together, Belichick and Pioli split the duties held by a general manager, but Belichick had the final say.