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Change came quickly for the Cincinnati Bengals after missing the playoffs as the team fired defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo on Monday. Now, the organization, players and fans will look to a new era on the defensive side of the ball.
After serving in his role since 2019 and receiving a post-game vote of confidence from Trey Hendrickson on Saturday, Anarumo still didn’t survive his unit’s track record in 2024. The Bengals defense stiffened up toward the end of the 9-8 season but still ranked near the bottom of the NFL.
Anarumo was considered for head coaching jobs after the Bengals’ Super Bowl 56 run, but things fell off steeply from that point. As a consequence, the Bengals now have a vacancy at defensive coordinator for the first time since head coach Zac Taylor assembled his original staff in Cincinnati ahead of the 2019 season.
Who comes next? The Bengals could go in a number of different directions. Here’s a roundup of coaches likely in the running to be the next defensive coordinator:
Al Golden, Notre Dame defensive coordinator
The 55-year-old Golden is a known commodity around Paycor Stadium as he served as linebackers coach in Cincinnati during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. The linebackers where a key component of Anarumo’s defense when then Bengals won the AFC championship in 2021.
Golden, a Penn State product, has a clear affinity for the college game and is currently serving as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator as the Fighting Irish are in the semifinal round of the College Football Playoff. His track record in college points to success, leadership qualities and the ability to develop talent.
Golden served as head coach at Temple University (2006-10). He turned that program around and was later inducted into the athletic department’s hall of fame. He then jumped to the University of Miami (2011-15), where he…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/3-names-watch-bengals-look-182949642.html
Author : Cincinnati.com | The Enquirer
Publish date : 2025-01-06 18:29:00
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