Bengals Defensive Coordinator Search: TOP Candidates & Ideal Fit

[@DZCARDZ]

They absolutely cannot afford to roll the dice on a young coach who is “up and coming”. Burrow and co. They deserve better.

[@shamrockshawtty]

Well that's what's happening

[@Horsemom121]

​@@shamrockshawttyI just hope they get someone who knows what they are doing.

[@gothard5]

You want the Bengals to hire the Oregon DC to be the new DC? The guy whose defense has been absolutely torched by Ohio State twice this season? absolutely not.

[@jakenbake9878]

The kids on the field play. There isn’t a college kid on the planet that can cover Jeremiah Smith so I don’t think that’s a good way to judge their season

[@DaveysWonderfulWorld]

No thank you I really hope the Bengals hire Robert Salah because if we hire him, we can finally have a defense

[@delanoallen9164]

@@DaveysWonderfulWorldI don’t think they will, Saleh would be too much of a head coaching threat to Taylor, I dont believe the franchise will allow it.

[@Jake_Conley]

Definition of a project pick sure DC for the panthers we have an MVP level QB. Be a serious organization or sell the team

[@jordanwhite8108]

@@DaveysWonderfulWorldRobert Saleh is going to be a head coach or with the 49ers. Everyone knows that

[@andrewjohnson3273]

A good college coordinator is Brad White from University of Kentucky all you have to do is look at what he has done to kentucky's defense since he's been there from position coach to coordinator. He's developed alot of guys and has put up great numbers against sec teams.

[@jamiebrs1]

I want to get Eddie Gordon, Assistant Offensive Line Coach for the Packers, who had a pretty good OLine. He was just hired there last year after being Georgia's Oline coach, he was Amarius Mims coach at Georgia!!

[@sportsfisher9677]

Why would he come here? Green Bay has just as bright a future and the offense the Packers run is more tailored to offensive balance with run and pass and use QB under the center. He'd be a fool to come here over that. Bengals run shotgun only like 97% or whatever.

[@jamiebrs1]

@@sportsfisher9677 because he's currently an assistant Oline coach, here he would be the head Oline coach. It would be a promotion.

[@williamperry01]

​@jamiebrs1 , WHY did you bother to reply to that dude??? There's just NO HELPING some people, and with THAT lack of reading comprehension and situational awareness of what you'd put down, IN WRITING, ya shoulda let him wallow in his "bliss".....

[@NoName-wg6ip]

I believe the next Bengals DC will be a relative unknown. I do not think it is likely, but I like Jim Leonhard because he came up with the Ravens great defense and has college coaching experience prior to working as a secondary coach for the Broncos.

[@discopotato188]

Where was Lou a headcoach at?

[@NoName-wg6ip]

@discopotato188 Wow, good catch. I mistakenly thought Lou was the Giants HC when I was thinking McAdoo. When they hired Zac, I remember Lapham talking about Zac having former HCs on his staff. Either the matrix changed it or I was way off, Samsonite.

[@Warrenwoon]

Saw Staley in the thumbnail and almost lost my lunch

[@SheBitesUncensored]

Was it Stale?

[@bermudabengal]

i do not wanna see Staley strutting up and down our sideline with his weird pencil neck!!!

[@MonkeyFeat]

Good thoughts. I like Golden

[@gregorymerritt2528]

Al golden makes the most sense for a number of reasons he's been here he knows the Bengals way he worked with zac he developed our current linebackers and has done a great job at ND. For me it's keep the big 3 together burrow,chase,Higgins that is your best Superbowl window. And figure the rest out

[@darkbradon]

The first question DC interviewees should be asking is: are we giving Trey Hendrickson an extension?

[@UKSportsFan]

My top choices are Robert Saleh, Dennis Allen, Al Golden and Mike Vrabel, in that order. Simply making a change is for optics and trying to fool the fan base by trying to appease them (i.e. - "we made A MOVE"). The whole purpose to make a change is to make AN UPGRADE! Not "just a different body".

[@brianwilliams1281]

I feel like we're being gaslit into accepting whatever cheap option the Bengals are going to bring in.

[@shamrockshawtty]

Lots of fake narratives about Lou was the problem

[@tyronehinchberger1606]

Not going to cut it with Bengals fans at this point we’ve waited and waited and now we know our time is NOW with Burrow. It’s the best or nothing during this era no test runs no let’s give him a shot. We want and DESERVE proven talent that will produce results. LETS GET IT DONE AND WIN NOW

[@gothard5]

Completely off topic here, but I really hope the Bengals draft edge rusher Mike Green out of Marshall. The dude is an absolute beast and leads the nation in sacks among other defensive sacks.

[@donaldnguyen19]

he looks incredible. Would be a steal in the second round if he makes it there

[@mikesp376]

He is a top 20 player in most current mocks.

[@robertange3891]

Robert will be a Head coach somewhere. Hes too good

[@carlbenson6412]

Hey James...it looks to me like Saleh may end up as the Raiders next head coach or he'll go elsewhere because it seems as though he or the Bengals aren't interested.

[@davidluke9355]

I think he still has 1 yrs salary owed by the Jets. Probably doesn't make sense to settle for a DC job until he has to 🤷. That's if he still wants to be a head coach. Always multiple job openings every yr in the NFL

[@carlbenson6412]

@@davidluke9355 ya'...that's great info. & that's what I was thinkin'. I just hope that the Bengals can lure the 2nd best 'DC' option to town.

[@Redm2011]

They need to try and get Al Golden in for an interview

[@gothard5]

hard no on Eberflus.

[@slapchop7166]

Zac needs someone that isn't "green" to the DC position. I don't think pulling from college ranks would work immediately.

[@Nikolaos740]

So Dan Pitcher hasn’t been a good rookie OC for us? The offense was phenomenal save for a few games.

[@alostcause4035]

​@@Nikolaos740he doesnt even call the plays

[@thedailyvlog6854]

If Duke Tobin and the FO disclosed that info, then the fans would not have been so hard on Lou Anarumo! That wasn't Lou's fault! There isn't enough transparency and disclosure with the FO!

[@newfoundmoralclarity]

Ownership loves nobody knowing exactly who to blame. They're cowards

[@shamrockshawtty]

As a fan base we really need to make a huge push for the Browns to sell this team. It happens in European Soccer all the time

[@louiseregan2498]

Why do you think, Mike Brown is hugging so tightly to his chest the ownership of the team? Brown's ownership percentage of the Bengals is reported to be 98%. Why isn't Brown using the "new rule" to raise and pay outstanding talent? The "new rule" which states owners can sell up to 10% of their organization to private financiers to raise revenues? Why isn't Mike using the "new rule?" My bet is that Mike Brown doesn't want the financial transparency and/or input that independent financiers would bring to the management of the team.

[@louiseregan2498]

PS: That front office is totally dysfunctional. What valued players have they successfully signed besides Joe Burrow over the last three years? Name one. Do you think Katie and Duke want a spotlight on their incompetence?

[@thedailyvlog6854]

I don't know what is going on internally because, as you and all fans know, there is very little or no transparency. There is definitely a reason.

[@williamperry01]

THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP!!!

[@vortexfx420]

A chance to win a SB with Joe Burrow? The big names will come

[@louiseregan2498]

Only if you pay them, especially after their rookie contract. As opposed to slapping them with the franchise ticket.

[@forcealchemist2603]

The Raiders were top 15 in a lot of categories defensively in 2024 but I find those stats to be a little misleading because they were tied in points allowed with the Bengals and that's the most important defensive category in today's NFL. It is hard seeing any of the known candidates being a clear upgrade at this point. Hiring a guy from a staff that got canned doesn't seem like a recipe for future success. The Patriots are drafting #4 overall and the Raiders are drafting #6 overall for a reason.

[@AnthonyMancuso-pt4ru]

Robert saleh isnt the families kind of guy. Forget obssessing on him thats not gonna be the hire. More think about this Patrick Graham would be solid. Just remember for a team that MUST get off to a fast start it will probably take a while to install learn and perfect a new defense. Thats a problem thats been glossed over but its a thing!

[@godj47]

Tosh Lupoi is a star who’s name will is often talked about in NFL circles. Some of you are silly enough to judge someone off 1 game. How about you research and look at the whole picture. You’ll see why owners have been mentioning his name in talks.

[@WhoDey1968]

I was talking about 4 games: giving up over 30 points and 1 of those over 40. It doesn’t mean the Bengals shouldn’t hire him and if they do hire him, great. That means all the other intangibles folks mentioned about him hit home during hiring. WHO DEY!

[@Jake_Conley]

How do we know Lou had the vision for Myles, Dax, Battle? Because last time I checked Duke was the one doing the press conferences at the draft and the front office doesn’t give us insights into who makes the final decision on player selection and we know who is responsible for letting stars being able to walk…..

[@danw6530]

Bring in Saleh! His defensive acumen is no joke and outside chance we get Sauce back in Cincy again (I know unlikely)

[@billyp.193]

Would like to have Saleh, but my money is on him either going back to San Fran as DC, or landing HC with the Raiders or Jags.

[@louiseregan2498]

In my opinion Colin Cowherd has some great insights into what separates the outstanding NFL teams from the middle of the road, underachieving teams. Colin talked about three elements that propell great teams into the Superbowl. First, these teams have owners that are prepared to put their money on the line for great players and great coaches. Secondly, these teams have a great head coach and coordinators; and thirdly, they have one of a handful of great QBs that can orchestrate successful Superbowl leadership and play. Such outstanding teams include the likes of the Chiefs, the Eagles, the Lions, and the 49er's, to mention a few, and now the Chargers. LA has an owner who lucked out when they drafted Herbert, and paid the big bucks to sign Coach Harbaugh. Where are they after one year with Harbaugh? ... The Chargers are playing as a wildcard prospect for a playoff spot. While in Cincinnati over the last couple of years, two stellar defensive players have walked, and now, a totally dysfunctional front office is set to cull the wideout room with the owner's blessing. Joe Burrow has to think long and hard about staying in Cinci and becoming another Bengals' QB statistic. You know, a QB who had the absolute skills to win a Superbowl but didn't because the Brown Family Trust weren't willing to pay the complimentary talent to get it done! If Tee Higgins walks, then Joe should pack his bags and look for an owner committed to the game!

[@countpoob5024]

Not sure if you know this, but there is another channel called BIGPLAY Sports Network that has 4 of your videos on their channel, not sure if there is any connection, but it seemed odd

[@writerseye]

It's really hard to get an ego when the coach outworks you... But it is a great inspiration to outwork him. L7 🏴‍☠

[@anthonygarzione6625]

put the starting Ohio State Defense on the field instead of the Bengals Defense, we would have done much better this year. Yes, that IS how bad that defense was. If not for Trey Hendrickson and Mike Hilton, the Bengals would have likely only won 4 or 5 games instead of 9. We need to fill up the Defense with 5 high caliber players, with NFL grade back ups as well. Yes it's that bad.

[@Mattmusic11111111]

How I know Tosh lapoui is watching jermiah smith still run through his defense to this day

[@godj47]

You’re funny. Did you watch any other Oregon game? You know they were 13-1. What about any of his 2 national championships? What would life be like if we were judged off 1 day? SMH

[@Mattmusic11111111]

@ Penn state lit 🔥 them up on d as well so yes

[@hainesforohio7028]

This was a good video.

[@brianharless4155]

Al Golden or Mike Zimmer

[@aronadkins2068]

Just watched a video on tosh and i can see why you liked him. Seems like his ethic and ability too develop talent would be a great fit

[@bengalsfandom623]

Link?

[@BigBrew]

I think Tom Allen would be good interview candidate. Penn State D coordinator. Jim Knowels would be awesome hes currently Ohio State D coordinator and also did really good at Oklahoma.

[@ryanwilhelm1027]

Tosh makes more at Oregon. Al Golden makes more at Notre Dame

[@EXOmakemeHorololo]

Al Golden can also go for a HC job in college

[@alostcause4035]

Golden is only making $2.25. Surely, the bengals can beat that.

[@louiseregan2498]

​@@alostcause4035I'm sure the Bengals could beat AL Golden's salary. The question is will they?

[@BenjaminSimonata]

What about Rob Livingston???

[@Weezy10580]

Yeah the Oregon DC did well against OSU

[@BengalsTalk]

lol awful logic but okay

[@Weezy10580]

@@BengalsTalk31 points in one half is awful I agree, especially when you have the longest time between games to prepare. Will fit in nicely with the Bengals slow starts

[@EXOmakemeHorololo]

​@@Weezy10580all the teams that had a bye lost and looked rusty. Plus Ohio State has a 20 million dollar mercenary roster. That makes a difference in college football

[@godj47]

You clearly don’t watch ball or know it. Oregons defense is one of the reasons they were 13-1. I bet you didn’t watch Alabamas national championships win when he led the country’s best defense did you? LOL

[@WhoDey1968]

@@BengalsTalk how is it awful logic, James Rapien?

[@jordanwhite8108]

Give me Tosh Lupoi right now!! As long as he brings Derek Harmon with him

[@ShawnMcClellan-oo8lw]

Marvin Lewis would be a great hire he knows defense and he knows about afc north football

[@paulkearney9948]

Myles Murphy needs to develop containment. Hoping he has a breakout year coming but in my opinion I dnt see it. He not a dawg in my eyes like Trey!

[@bermudabengal]

do not wanna see Staley strutting up and down our sideline with his weird pencil neck!

[@thedailyvlog6854]

Apparently, the reason why Jordan Battle wasn't playing earlier in the season was because he was overweight and he had disciplinary issues. If Duke Tobin and the FO were

[@caseyp3879]

Malik suggested Steve Wilks and I don’t think I would hate that

[@EvangelismforGod]

Me neither

[@louisminati]

The bengals are that band that came out, had that hit song... you loved it (super bowl year), but then everything that they put out after just isn't quite as good as the debut album. Looks the same. Same people, but internally, something is missing.

[@louiseregan2498]

Yah, try an owner willing to pay for talent rather than use the franchise ticket to hold a valued player for one year after their rookie year on a low-ball salary.

[@xarrow81]

So Lue didn't have a great work ethic? A coach can have an amazing work ethic, but that doesn't mean he can get his players to have one. These players want a coach they can relate to and has played ball in my opinion

[@evansacher9769]

Im at Oregon now, tosh is incredible, would be a dream to get him. hire tosh, draft Derrick harmon!

[@davidvanzant2019]

I hope they hit a home run like Kentucky men’s and woman BBN Basketball teams did grand slams for Both Mitch Barnhart 🎉🎉

[@cameornshaw4619]

wish youd get into coaching

[@Jake_Conley]

If they bring in the Oregon DC I will be beyond pissed

[@SportsNBourbon]

I’m praying we land Robert Saleh but he was a wish list candidate, however I just now read that he the 49ers interviewed him TODAY for their DC opening. Soooooo the bengals are behind the 8 ball

[@brianharless4155]

Well We Know were Lou will be next year.

[@torrenceharper4961]

Lou wasn’t bad. The office messed up the personnel. Shoulda paid bates.

[@tomjones7729]

Murphy was a reaction pick wanted Gibbs tried to move up not far enough

[@pdureska7814]

Tosh would be a huge reach. He's just been a DL coach never a coordinator at NFL level. Bengals need a proven top level DC like Saleh. Maybe try and hire Staley away from the Rams. He has a very good resume. He was with the Rams, Broncos (with Vic Fangio) Bears and now 49ers again after flaming out as the Chargers head coach.

[@TheBengalGuru]

Pete Carroll Is the answer. Follow the Bengal Gurus light.

[@thomaskuritzkes2709]

We’re gonna cheap out and hire a collage coach. That’s the bengal way.

[@Hokage_Dennis]

We don't need to hire nobody within the organization trying to be cheap we don't need to bring in anybody that's trash it needs to be some one that really going to put us on top

[@kyriecondones7340]

We can just hire a proven guy cough cough Robert saleh, he makes all of his teams defenses elite… just look at the jets went from top 10 D before firing to bottom 10 after firing him.

[@AS-wu8ob]

I can already tell the bengals are about to Whif on this DC pick

[@AnthonyMancuso-pt4ru]

The Oregon Dc would be a DISASTER. Read the names before him on your list. Gosh no way hhh

[@josephmiller7272]

Considering you talked up Irv Smith as a good TE for us. I really don't trust who you would recommend as our new DC.

[@BengalsTalk]

@@josephmiller7272 lol “Talked up” So two weeks into free agency and when I wanted them to take Dalton Kincaid or Sam Laporta a month later in the draft? I don’t trust your commenting ability considering you made a statement like that

[@johnkammer4754]

Actually, I have heard of him!!!

[@pulses33]

Bryant Haines would be a good get

[@PSNyounowut2do]

We all know it’s gonna be Simmons . Book mark this

[@alexfekkos8260]

Whoever we get, it will probably not be a big name and everybody will trash him before he even gets in the building. Good luck to Lou, love him but I agree with moving on from him. Nothing changes unless something changes. WHO-DEY!!!!!!!

[@DonnaKeffer]

It will not surprise me to see the Bengals go backward. I'll watch them but won't get my hopes up or get excited about watching them.

[@frankmartinez991]

If im zac i would watch the playoffs and whoever gets eliminated they can interview them afterwards my pick would be aubrey pleasant

[@johnadams-ei9tq]

Can mason Crosby come with him

[@thedailyvlog6854]

Not feelin' that! Oregon can keep him!

[@thefool00]

I definitely would prefer someone from the college ranks with the potential to be great vs. some cast-off known quantity with low upside from another NFL team.

[@bengalsfandom623]

"Report came out recently revealing that Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham turned down a contract extension in the offseason. He's now a free agent and could leave for any team he wants." 2 days ago

[@christhomas3078]

Why don't we let the season ticket holder vote for the candidate?

[@donaldhensley1625]

Rex ryan ?

[@jables1992]

We can’t afford Salah. He’ll probably make similar money to ZT as a DC. Like the take but we can’t go for an unknown. Has to be a proven guy. Can’t screw this up.

[@ca9495]

Robert Sallah for DC and Jeff Stoutland for OL coach.

[@bengalsfandom623]

Maybe Get a Stoutland assistant

[@bengalsfandom623]

Does Salah have a history of only working or only winning with stacked defenses... has he had a history of elevating players that may not be elite or developing players to play better?

[@CincyGuy69]

I know what you're all gonna say BUT Marvin Lewis could be a great DC option! That's his game! Thoughts?

[@shamrockshawtty]

Zac Taylor makes me miss Marvin Lewis

[@AS-wu8ob]

Absolutely not

[@XHollisWood]

I’m confident ZT will mess this opportunity to endorse a tangible candidate based on his fear to be replaced! Zero confidence whatsoever 🖤🧡🏈

[@vincentdebari5540]

Couldnt agree more. He will never interview or hire a veteran DC, whom deserves to be paid well. Its a joke. Graham and covington are not going to change this defense bc the team will not pay in free agency npr their veterans that deserve it. Lou was yhe scapegoat.

[@brandonwhodeyer8531]

That whole zac is scared to hire someone narrative is so bs. Zac strikes me as a confident guy. He will try to get a guy that fits the players and culture in my opinion. Same as the bs that the cheifs are scared to play the Bengals narrative.

[@mattmicheli8847]

I don’t think so. He needs someone to coach this defense to a Super Bowl. If he hires a bad coach and the team fails, he’ll lose his job after this season. It is this season or bust. Either way, I’m just happy to see the bengals being serious about making changes with the teams’s deficiencies.

[@runnn3107]

Zac was fired by UC… let that sink in! He’s a “Mr. Sunshine” turd, and I have zero confidence that he’ll bring in anybody that will challenge him for HC. Just sell the team. 0:02

[@valenciadale3506]

I WANT COACH O. PERIOD.

[@RunSamRun94]

That would be funny. Another person from LSU. He was Burrow's coach and they have a tight relationship.

[@vortexfx420]

Funny if they bring back Marvin 😁

[@Coleman.1957]

Jon Gruden would be PERFECT

[@SheBitesUncensored]

Saleh or Demarcus!

[@Robthebengalguy]

No on the Oregon defensive coordinator James

[@JamesSmith-jv4go]

walters from cincy to colorado

[@dako91196]

Talking about "fit" is a massive cope for why we're not going after the best coaches available (Saleh and Allen.) If you have a good coach or coordinator, they will fit

[@bengalsfandom623]

I don't understand this pov... this seems like the same mistake some teams make when they have a collection of talent versus a cohesive team Pollack and Zac supposedly never got along and Pollack's expertise was in under center wide zone which hasn't fit with what Burrow excels in/perfers... which is to run from the gun

[@DeamonteNicholson]

Woh day

[@Bret-wg9xq]

We need to where the helmet in the backround

[@BengalsTalk]

What?

[@Robthebengalguy]

Yeah that would be weird the defensive coordinator coming to the Bengals and Ohio State could beat his defense yeah that's a real change no James that is not a good choice

[@arrongross2325]

Jim Knowles from THE Ohio State as the next Bengals DC after the Buckeyes win this national championship.

[@AtzcapotxalcoR]

Does Ray Lewis, Vontaze Burfict or Adam Jones want to coach? Even at a position? Just a thought.... (from the pure dawg meanness pov! 🤭) 🐯🐅

[@Hokage_Dennis]

Put Vontaze back on the team!!

[@RunSamRun94]

​@@Hokage_DennisOh hell no!

[@lemonstraws7940]

Lets be honest the Bengals are cheap and wont hire someone like Robert Saleh

[@louiseregan2498]

Nailed it!

[@gabrielbell9154]

Nobody but Selah please?

[@jrsrides]

Who’s the cheapest? Because we all know, that is who the bengals are going to get.

[@EXOmakemeHorololo]

Hope the NFL leaves Al Golden alone. ND deserves some fun years after decades of drought 😂

[@yoking191]

Leslie frazier

[@jarrodapplegate7077]

The Bengals are gonna hire some no name guy that they can get on the cheap because that’s what they do

[@lilmoo7682]

Marvin?

[@brockdiel7584]

Take a vacation.

[@timothy4557]

No Matt Patricia ?

[@johnnyblack4366]

In 2010, Lupoi was suspended for his role in instructing nose tackle Aaron Tipoti to fake an injury in a game against Oregon to try to slow down Oregon's fast, up-tempo offense. He left Cal amid controversy after he acted in bad faith by using his position as a Cal recruiter to convince elite recruits to commit to the University of Washington-where he intended to become a coach. Following his departure from California, Lupoi served as the defensive line coach for University of Washington from 2012 to 2013. During his tenure, Lupoi was investigated and suspended for allegedly paying $4,500 to an associate of a recruit, though the matter was ultimately dismissed and deemed false. Thanks but no thanks

[@louiseregan2498]

Yikes!