dex Posted January 6 Report Posted January 6 3 minutes ago, alleycat said: Let's hope Pollack is next. BREAKING: Sources confirm #Bengals part ways with DC Lou Anarumo, OL coach Frank Pollack, LB coach James Bettcher and DL coach Marion Hobby. 2 Quote
Griever Posted January 6 Report Posted January 6 4 minutes ago, alleycat said: Let's hope Pollack is next. Hope no longer: Quote
I_C_Deadpeople Posted January 6 Report Posted January 6 As much as this was needed, it is still surprising they did it 3 Quote
LostInDaJungle Posted January 6 Report Posted January 6 It's almost like having a bottom 5 defense for two years in a row is a bad thing.... 2 Quote
New Jersey Bengal Posted January 6 Report Posted January 6 I like amarumo brest at defending mahomes Quote
MichaelWeston Posted January 6 Report Posted January 6 9 minutes ago, LostInDaJungle said: It's almost like having a bottom 5 defense for two years in a row is a bad thing.... 4.5 out of the last 6 years. Quote
Jamie_B Posted January 6 Report Posted January 6 I still think Lou is a good coach and will succeed somewhere else, but am completely on board with getting rid of Hobby and Betcher. Pollack finally had a good pick in Mimms, that got developed, the problem with him is that all the FAs we brought in regressed and never played as good as they did with the teams they were on before. Maybe OBJ when he played this year, but the rest of the guys not so much. The Lou thing I get but disagree with, the rest I am 100% behind. 1 1 Quote
Cat Posted January 6 Report Posted January 6 Oh man - this is as much as I could have hoped for. 1 Quote
Jamie_B Posted January 6 Report Posted January 6 I am kind of surprised our 2ndary coaches survived, but I guess they get a pass for the injuries? Quote
MichaelWeston Posted January 6 Report Posted January 6 By Paul Dehner Jr. 29m ago 3 data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTQiIGhlaWdodD0iMjAiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNCAyMCIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTAgMFYwLjAxOTk5VjEuNDk5MjVWMTguMjcwOVYxOS45OUw3IDE2LjA5MkwxMi41MDQzIDE5LjE2MDRMMTIuNTU0MSAxOS4xOTA0TDEyLjkyMzEgMTkuNDAwM0wxNCAyMFYxLjQ5OTI1VjAuMDE5OTlWMEgwWk0xMi41MTQyIDE3LjQ0MTNMNy4wMDk5NyAxNC4zNzI4TDEuNDk1NzMgMTcuNDQxM1YxLjQ5OTI1SDEyLjUxNDJWMTcuNDQxM1oiIGZpbGw9ImJsYWNrIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo= For the first time since hiring his original staff in 2019, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor will be looking for a defensive coordinator. The Bengals parted ways with Lou Anarumo on Monday after six years with the team. Taylor and Anarumo coached together coming up with the Dolphins early in their careers and lifted the Bengals to the Super Bowl and AFC Championship Game in consecutive years, largely on the back of an opportunistic and stingy defense that drew head coach interviews for the DC. It all fell apart over the last two years, culminating in a season where nearly every significant Bengals loss included an avalanche of defensive failures, specifically a lack of development from nine top-100 picks handed to Anarumo in the last four drafts. GO DEEPER Bengals fire DC Lou Anarumo, O-line coach Frank Pollack: Sources What will Taylor seek in a replacement? Who are the names expected to be in the mix? The staff’s structure under Taylor makes the defensive coordinator the most important assistant in the building. Taylor focuses most of his time on offense, play calling and dealing with the constant stream of bigger-picture issues. Advertisement He relies on the defensive coordinator to serve as the head coach of the defense, handing total control and autonomy to that position. That would lend itself to the new defensive coordinator arriving with head-coaching experience. Unlike the first time Taylor hired a defensive coordinator in 2019, the job is much more desirable for a big name. Being the defensive coordinator on a team with Joe Burrow can bring attention, success and the game’s biggest stages immediately. Another critical issue will be the ability to develop young players. The nature of the offensive contracts demands development from the collection of recent high draft picks who have failed to grow into star roles. The next level of this defense will be led by players currently on rookie contracts as several veteran leaders are expected to be let go or have their roles changed soon and likely another year with premium draft capital spent trying to fix that side of the ball. That opens up the possibility of poking around the college ranks. A prime example last year came when Taylor’s close coaching friend and former colleague with the Rams, Matt LaFleur, hired Boston College head coach Jeff Hafley. It worked as Green Bay ranked sixth in points allowed per drive this season. While there are big names of former defensive head coaches on the list, there could also be coaches from off the radar in the college ranks to watch. Taylor has aimed for coaches with notable experience, but still ascending and hungry in their career aspirations, with most of his hires. Notably, Dan Pitcher as offensive coordinator and Justin Rascati as pass game coordinator last year, who are both climbing to the next level of their careers for the first time. Here’s a collection of those names I’m hearing, specifically those with connections or backgrounds that check obvious boxes to serve as the replacement for Anarumo. Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden has experience with the Bengals. (Matt Cashore / Imagn Images) The connections front-runner Al Golden • Age: 55 • Current job: Notre Dame defensive coordinator This would be the most familiar face on the list. Golden coached linebackers for two seasons in Cincinnati (2020-’21). He took over a position group where every key player, including starters Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt, was on a rookie contract. He helped turn the group into one of the strengths of the Super Bowl team. That earned Golden a job as defensive coordinator at Notre Dame. Golden, who was a head coach at Temple University and the University of Miami, once again excelled in the college ranks as a finalist for the Broyles Award for top assistant coach in college football. The Fighting Irish’s defense is pacing their run to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. If doing a better job developing the young players on defense is the top priority, Golden would fit the bill. Would he leave Notre Dame? Will he have head-coaching offers elsewhere? It’s hard to say for sure, but his connection with Taylor, this organization and the players check many boxes. GO DEEPER Forget Al Golden's time at Miami. He's just what Notre Dame's Playoff run needed Rising young candidates Christian Parker • Age: 32 • Current job: Eagles secondary coach Viewed as a rising star, Parker serves as the passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach for the Eagles. He also spent time with the Broncos and Packers since moving from college to the NFL in 2019. He doesn’t have experience as a defensive coordinator but has a reputation as a great communicator and worked with some of Taylor’s close friends. He’s also well-versed in the Vic Fangio system, working under him in Philadelphia, a style that has proven particularly frustrating for the Bengals. Advertisement Jim Leonhard • Age: 42 • Current job: Denver Broncos defensive backs coach/pass game coordinator Leonhard is a former player who was with six teams over nine seasons in the NFL. He comes from a college background but splashed on the scene immediately in the NFL. He got into coaching at Wisconsin, his alma mater, and quickly ended up as defensive coordinator and took over as interim head coach when the Badgers let go of Paul Chryst in 2022. He spent a year as an analyst at Illinois before taking over the defensive backs/pass game coordinator job for Vance Joseph’s top defense in Denver. Jim Leonhard, center, during his stint as interim head coach at Wisconsin. (Mark Hoffman / Imagn Images) Aubrey Pleasant • Age: 38 • Current job: Rams pass game coordinator/assistant head coach Pleasant was on the staff with Taylor that went to the Super Bowl. He moved to Detroit for two seasons, before returning to work for Sean McVay in an expanded role the past two years. Pleasant would be considered one of the top rising position coaches due for a coordinator gig. Taylor has spoken with Pleasant about jobs in Cincinnati before including during the initial hiring process. His background and connection could warrant another look. Ex-head coaches with defensive backgrounds Dennis Allen • Age: 52 • Current job: None The New Orleans Saints fired Allen as head coach on Nov. 4, but would still be considered a big fish in this job search. He brings head-coaching experience with three seasons with the Saints (18-25) and three more with the Raiders (8-28). Those stints didn’t go particularly well, but Allen proved he could be one of the league’s best defensive minds. The Saints ranked in the top half of the league in fewest points allowed for seven consecutive seasons before this year. Allen was coordinator from 2017-’21 before taking over for Sean Payton as head coach. Not only would his head coach background benefit him working underneath Taylor, but this wouldn’t be the first time Taylor showed interest in Allen. When Taylor was hired in 2019 and filled out his staff, Allen was one of the top targets on the list. The search ended with Anarumo landing the job and a lateral move for Allen didn’t make sense, but the interest was notable. As was a trend of the Bengals poaching players from the Saints — Trey Hendrickson and Vonn Bell, two of the top free-agent signings in Taylor’s time, both came from New Orleans. Advertisement The question here: Does turning down the job in the past and his already established career lend itself to the type of coach Taylor would be seeking? Matt Eberflus • Age: 54 • Current job: None The former Chicago Bears head coach saw his reputation take a hit after the latest failed season in the Windy City, but he still brings an impressive resume as a defensive coach. As defensive coordinator for the Colts, his group finished in the top 10 in points allowed in three of his four seasons. The same success didn’t translate to Chicago, but his expertise on defense and experience leading a team should draw attention. Robert Saleh • Age: 45 • Current job: None Another fired head coach with a defensive background, Saleh was head coach of the Jets for the past four seasons. He was fired after Week 5 this year. Before that, Saleh was the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, where his defense led the way to a Super Bowl appearance in 2019. Upon taking over the Jets in 2021, his defense ranked fourth in points allowed in his second season and 12th last year. Saleh would be a big name in this search and will be sought after across the league for coordinator positions, though his coaching style could clash with those Taylor has leaned toward. Mike Zimmer • Age: 68 • Current: Cowboys defensive coordinator If looking to tap into arguably the best Bengals defenses of this century, look no further than Zimmer. The Bengals defensive coordinator from 2008-’13 is still revered by the front office. He eventually took over as head coach of the Vikings before being fired and landing as Cowboys defensive coordinator this past season. The Cowboys defense struggled mightily but also was ravaged by injuries early in the year. That said, Taylor was effusive in praise for Zimmer before and after the Bengals’ 27-20 win in Dallas, commenting on how mentally exhausting it is preparing for and playing against his defenses. Zimmer still owns property in Northern Kentucky and spends much of his time in the offseason there, making Cincinnati an appealing move if there was mutual interest and the Cowboys fired Mike McCarthy, along with his staff. Mike Zimmer’s future with the Cowboys could hinge on Mike McCarthy’s. (Matthew Pearce / Getty Images) Current DC with credentials, uncertain situation Ejiro Evero • Age: 44 • Current: Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Evero also was on the same Rams staff as Taylor. His star has risen after leading a top-10 defense for a season in Denver and then landing with the Panthers. Carolina’s defense has not been good the past two years, so his spot isn’t secure. That could shake him loose depending on what head coach Dave Canales decides. Still, much of that was a matter of talent and circumstance from an otherwise well-respected coach with 16 seasons as an NFL coach. Taylor could be interested if he became available. 1 Quote
Jamie_B Posted January 6 Report Posted January 6 Salah is the only guy on that list I'd be fine with. Zimmer is still employed. If he's fired I'd be cool with it, he's been here during the offseason when his son was working for the team so I know has somewhat of a relationship with Zach, and I know he's a good coordinator, he just doesn't have much in Dallas other than Parsons to work with. That part is the concern, we don't have much other than Trey so Mike would have to build the roster, can he do that? 1 Quote
MichaelWeston Posted January 6 Report Posted January 6 Golden, is interesting. I assume he would be paid less. My list would be Dennis Allen Robert Saleh Matt Eberflus Brandon Staley ---I love the idea of having another HC on staff Golden Leonhard Quote
Jamie_B Posted January 6 Report Posted January 6 I want this guy for Pollack's job https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/team/coaches/t-j-paganetti Quote
MichaelWeston Posted January 6 Report Posted January 6 Just now, Jamie_B said: I want this guy for Pollack's job https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/team/coaches/t-j-paganetti This is who I assume gets that job https://www.neworleanssaints.com/team/coaches-roster/john-benton Quote
Jamie_B Posted January 6 Report Posted January 6 2 minutes ago, MichaelWeston said: FWIW Zimmer was bad this year. Zimmer was in an impossible situation, Parsons is really the only guy he had to work with. 1 Quote
Jamie_B Posted January 6 Report Posted January 6 2 minutes ago, MichaelWeston said: This is who I assume gets that job https://www.neworleanssaints.com/team/coaches-roster/john-benton God I hope not the Saints are a horrible team, I don't know why we would want anything they have. Quote
MichaelWeston Posted January 6 Report Posted January 6 2 minutes ago, Jamie_B said: God I hope not the Saints are a horrible team, I don't know why we would want anything they have. Because he was excellent with the 49ers Quote
dex Posted January 6 Report Posted January 6 Do we even know who makes these hiring/firing decisions for the Bengals? Is it Tobin? Is it Taylor? A small committee? Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.