Benton possesses a total of 33 years of coaching expertise, with a notable 19 years specifically in the National Football League (NFL). Out of the offensive lines he has overseen since 2004, his teams have achieved a top 10 ranking in rushing yards per game for seven seasons. Benton’s prior league stops include the New York Jets (2021-22), San Francisco 49ers (2017-20), Jacksonville Jaguars (2016), Miami Dolphins (2014-15), Houston Texans (2006-13) and St. Louis Rams (2004-05).
During Benton’s tenure as the offensive line coach in San Francisco from 2017 to 2020, the 49ers had the fourth-highest number of rushing yards in the league. They consistently had top ten rushing offenses in the last three seasons, culminating in the league’s leading rushing attack in 2019, which helped them reach Super Bowl LIV. During his tenure with the 49ers, three distinct running backs – Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson, and Matt Breida – achieved an average of over 4.40 yards per carry on a minimum of 200 attempts. This accomplishment places the 49ers among the select two clubs in the league with at least three players who have achieved this feat. Regarding the passing game, the offensive line provided protection for QB Jimmy Garoppolo, who ranked fourth in yards per attempt (8.2), fifth in completion percentage (67.5%), and ninth in passer rating (98.6) among quarterbacks who made at least 25 starts between 2018 and 2020.
Before joining the NFL, Benton accumulated 17 years of coaching experience at the collegiate level. He begun his coaching profession as a graduate assistant at his former school, Colorado State University (1987-90), before transitioning to California University (Pa.) (1990-94), where he held the position of offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator. In 1995, he went back to Colorado State and served as the offensive line coach for nine years (1995-99) and as the co-offensive coordinator from 2000 to 2003.
Dennison has been appointed to the Saints staff, bringing with him 27 years of coaching experience in the NFL. During the past 21 seasons, he has served as a coordinator or offensive line coach for 19 of them. Dennison’s tenure in the NFL has contributed to coaching teams that achieved 13 postseason berths, secured five division crowns, and clinched three Super Bowl victories. Dennison has also coached 18 different Pro Bowl players at seven different positions, including six offensive lineman. In Dennison’s time as an offensive line coach and offensive coordinator, his rushing offenses have averaged 2,056 yards a season (128.1 ypg.) and 4.4 yards per carry, while averaging 14.8 touchdowns a season.
Prior to joining the Saints, Dennison served three seasons on the Minnesota Vikings coaching staff from 2019-21. Dennison’s NFL coaching career also includes tenure with the New York Jets (2018), Buffalo Bills (2017), Baltimore Ravens (2014), Houston Texans (2010-2013) and two stints with the Denver Broncos (1995-2009, 2015-2016).
