When word came down Tuesday night that Broncos defensive coordinator Dennis Allen would be the Raiders' next coach, it probably made Shane Lechler feel ... dated.
Lechler, 35, has been around the block, having recently completed his 12th season in the NFL. He also was a college teammate of Allen's at Texas A&M in 1995.
That puts Lechler in the unusual position of taking coaching from the same man he (hypothetically) pregamed with before a Better Than Ezra show at Reed Arena.
"I think it will be a good fit for us," said Lechler, whom Allen hosted on a recruiting trip to College Station. "He's a young, energetic guy. Smart guy. Been through a lot with Atlanta, then a lot with New Orleans, over to Denver and that defense. We'll take all the help we can get right now.
"I've known him forever. I think this will be a good fit."
Allen, 39, has his work cut out for him once he's settled in Oakland, but one position he doesn't have to worry about is punter. Lechler is a seven-time Pro Bowl pick who was on the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team.