Sources -- New Orleans Saints retaining Pete Carmichael Jr. as offensive coordinator under new HC Dennis Allen

METAIRIE, La. — The New Orleans Saints will retain longtime offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. under new head coach Dennis Allen, sources confirmed to ESPN on Wednesday.

The news was first reported by NFL Network.

The Saints considered external candidates, including reported interviews with former Washington head coach Jay Gruden and current Indianapolis Colts running backs coach Scottie Montgomery among others. But they ultimately decided to stick with Carmichael, who has been with the team since he first joined Sean Payton's original staff in 2006.

Carmichael, 50, was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2009 and called plays in 2011, 2012 and 2016. He was instrumental in designing and developing the Saints' prolific offense alongside Payton and quarterback Drew Brees — whom he also coached early in Brees' career with the San Diego Chargers.

The Saints have not yet announced their choice to replace Allen as defensive coordinator. Defensive line coach/assistant head coach Ryan Nielsen and secondary coach Kris Richard are among the leading internal candidates, though the Saints have also considered external candidates including Los Angeles Chargers linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite and Detroit Lions defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant.

Allen and Saints general manager Mickey Loomis both made it clear after Payton decided to step away from coaching that they aren't looking to overhaul a team that has the NFL's second-best regular-season record over the past five seasons. And Allen said he doesn't «see the offense being run too dissimilarly from what we've been able to do in the past» outside of some possible tweaks.

«I think that was one of the unique things about this job is that this