Former Toon midfielder Paul Bracewell will be his No 2.
Allardyce, 61, ended his five-month stint away from football by taking the Sunderland job earlier this month, having left West Ham United on the final day of last season.
Big Sam opened his spell as Black Cats boss with a 1-0 defeat away at West Bromwich Albion, and now faces one of the biggest games of the season when his side take on North East rivals Newcastle in the Tyne-Wear derby on Sunday afternoon.
To be thrown in to such a huge game so soon in to his time as Sunderland boss may be daunting for Allardyce, but he has the experience to cope with the situation - and his former Bolton striker Kevin Davies has highlighted that his history of managing Newcastle should be a big motivation during the game.
Speaking to Match of the Day 2 Extra, Davies also stated that sorting out his backroom staff with be an important step for Allardyce, and one that he needs to sort out quickly.
"Just a lot of hard work, on and off the pitch," said Davies when asked Allardyce will be looking to do immediately. "Will he look to bring in some staff to help him? He's got a good record of bringing good people in to work around him, so I think that will be important in the first few weeks to get that sorted."
"It's the perfect time for him, and obviously with the motivation with him and Newcastle, that game has come come at the right time for him and Sunderland - a massive game," he added.