10 defensive coordinator candidates the Bengals should consider

9 hours ago7 min read

The Cincinnati Bengals' defensive collapse represents more than just a bad season—it's a systemic failure demanding immediate, radical intervention. Following the dismissal of Lou Anarumo after a historically poor defensive showing last season, the franchise's decision to bring back former assistant Al Golden has backfired spectacularly, with the unit regressing to become arguably the league's worst.The core mission was talent development, yet the three rookies receiving significant snaps are on a developmental rollercoaster, their progress stunted by a scheme lacking identity and coherence. This isn't just a problem; it's a five-alarm fire that threatens to waste the prime years of a franchise quarterback.The question is no longer if they need a new defensive coordinator, but who possesses the strategic acumen to orchestrate a turnaround akin to the legendary defensive resurgences of the '85 Bears or the 2000 Ravens. The search must extend beyond Zac Taylor's inner circle, requiring a forensic examination of candidates who can install a modern, aggressive system.Leading the list is Jim Schwartz, the 59-year-old architect of the Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl-winning defense and the 2023 AP Assistant Coach of the Year. His philosophy of building from the trenches outward and his 17 years of coordinating experience, including his current role with the AFC North rival Cleveland Browns, make him the ideal 'head coach of the defense' this team desperately needs—a seasoned general who began his coaching career when Taylor was in first grade.In stark contrast, Christian Parker, the 33-year-old passing game coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, represents the new wave of defensive minds. Having served under Vic Fangio, Parker has been instrumental in transforming a secondary featuring recent draftees like Quinyon Mitchell into one of the league's most formidable, demonstrating a rare ability to accelerate young players' development.The search should also look to the collegiate ranks, where coordinators like Oregon's Tosh Lupoi are accustomed to defending the creative, spread-out offenses that now dominate the NFL. Lupoi’s defenses are renowned for limiting explosive plays, a discipline forged during five seasons and a National Championship under Nick Saban at Alabama, complemented by NFL experience with the Browns and Falcons.Another compelling name is Steve Clinkscale, the Los Angeles Chargers defensive backs coach and a Youngstown native whose only coordinator experience came at the University of Cincinnati. His intimate familiarity with former Wolverines Dax Hill and DJ Turner positions him as a natural successor in the esteemed Michigan/Baltimore defensive coordinator lineage.Then there's Jim Leonhard, the 43-year-old assistant in Denver whose tenacious Wisconsin defenses were a hallmark of his coaching, and Glenn Schumann, the 35-year-old mastermind behind Georgia's physically dominant, NFL-producing unit. The list continues with proven developers like Kansas City's Dave Merritt, a five-time Super Bowl winner known for elevating young cornerbacks, and seasoned veterans like Wink Martindale, whose pressure-heavy schemes once made the Ravens defense formidable, and Mike Pettine, whose meteoric rise from high school to the NFL brings a unique wealth of experience.Finally, D’Anton Lynn, the 36-year-old who rapidly turned around USC's defense after a successful stint at UCLA, represents a high-upside gamble. For the Bengals, this decision is not merely about hiring a coordinator; it's about choosing an identity and committing to a philosophical overhaul that can salvage a defense on the brink, a move that will define the franchise's trajectory for the next half-decade.

#Bengals

#defensive coordinator

#NFL

#coaching candidates

#Jim Schwartz

#Christian Parker

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