The Cincinnati Bengals finally filled out their coaching staff on Monday, announcing that they hired Mark Carrier as the team's newest defensive backs coach and promoted Paul Guenther as the team's linebackers coach. Former defensive backs coach Kevin Coyle left for Miami to become the Dolphins newest defensive coordinator. It was also reported earlier this offseason that linebackers coach Jeff Fitzgerald wouldn't have his contract renewed.
Guenther joined the Cincinnati Bengals in 2005 and from 2006-2010, along with being an assistant special teams coach, he assisted linebackers for those five seasons. Last year Guenther helped Kevin Coyle as an assistant defensive backs coach. Marvin Lewis said of Paul Guenther's move:
"Mike Zimmer and I both have high confidence levels working with Paul."
Hopefully Guenther can get Rey Maualuga on track.
The name Mark Carrier should be familiar to older NFL fans. A former 1990 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and a three-time Pro Bowl selection (1990, 1991, 1993) as a safety in the NFL, posting 32 interceptions during his playing career, Carrier played for three teams: the Bears (1990-1996), Detroit Lions (1997-1999) and the Washington Redskins (2000).
Carrier took on his first professional coaching gig in the NFL as the defensive backs coach for the Baltimore Ravens (2006-2009) where the secondary generated 93 interceptions during those four seasons -- second-most during that timeframe. He was hired by the Jets in 2010 to coach the defensive line.
Marvin Lewis on the Carrier hire:
"Mark experienced success as a coach with two fine NFL defenses (NYJ and BAL), and he will do very well with our group."
0 recs | 48 comments
This name came out of the blue
Its not Woodson but I like the move. He has been a very productive player and coach. Even though I wonder why he was coaching the d-line for the Jets? When he was a safety in the league.
EPK1979 - February 13, 2012 via mobile
I was thinking the same thing.
“The Jets D-line….?” Hmm…. I guess with Rex coaching with him in B-more, he felt he was up for the task.
whodeycommish14 - February 13, 2012 via mobile
Thought same thing about him coaching Jets D line..........
seems like an odd jump.
The Van Buren Boys - February 13, 2012
I think anyone with aspirations of becoming a D-Coordinator...
…would want the opportunity to experience coaching different areas of the defense. Maybe Linebackers makes more sense, coming from the secondary, but he probably saw a good opportunity to work with Rex Ryan (maybe he’s fond of his coaching style or the players).
balooko31 - February 14, 2012
Finally....
They sure did their due diligence, didn’t they? If Zim and Marvin both back Guenther, then I trust that decision. I remember Carrier as a player. He was good. I like that he’s “been there, done that” as far as being a player and coach. Coached on some good defenses. I’ll take it.
whodeycommish14 - February 13, 2012 via mobile
Carrier
As a guy who grew up a Bears fan, I love the Carrier hire. Dude was a really, really solid player in Chicago.
steve henderson - February 13, 2012
I wonder how much he will improve both Sands and Mays...
pemci - February 13, 2012
He's going to have to do something because,
Sands hardly touched the field and Mays was hardly on the field passed ST’s. We’ll see…
whodeycommish14 - February 13, 2012 via mobile
Leaps and bounds!
Hope is a wonderful thing!
TCfromDubVee - February 13, 2012
Hmmm
Let’s see … The ravens had a horrible secondary (outside of Ed Reed) for as long as I can remember. The jets defensive line stunk up the joint last season. I have to question this move.
Yarin - February 13, 2012
Can't please everyone... :)
pemci - February 13, 2012
Secondary had 93 ints in 4 seasons when he was there
If thats considered horrible, then im all for horrible. LOL
EPK1979 - February 13, 2012 via mobile
RE:
During his time as the Ravens DB coach, the secondary generated 93 interceptions — which is the second-most during that time frame.
Yea. They stink.
Josh Kirkendall - February 13, 2012
RE:
And not that it’s a good barometer for a DB coach (due to so many other things being integrated into it), but the Ravens passing defense during Carrier’s time.
2006: 6th
2007: 20th
2008: 2nd
2009: 8th
Josh Kirkendall - February 13, 2012
I stand corrected
Outside of Ed Reed I don’t remember them being very good.
Yarin - February 13, 2012
RE:
Actually there is truth to what you’re saying. Individually, they’ve always had issues at cornerback since Chris McAlister left/declined.
Josh Kirkendall - February 13, 2012
Im please.
Not woodson like EPK said. But i do like the aggresive system the jets play and im excited what he can bring
njbengalstat - February 13, 2012
Sweet.
Carrier is a former USC and NFL stud. He coached productive defenses. I like it.
I’m not as hot on Guenther, but it makes sense. Since he coached special teams, he probably has a good feel of the LBs.
Anthony Cosenza - February 13, 2012
I'm good with the choice..
I’m just glad they finally announced someone since the combine is right around the corner, and we need to be focused on the job at hand, finding the best corner possible :)
ARoo - February 13, 2012
Don't they still have to hire someone to replace Lippincott?
pemci - February 13, 2012
Im sure they can find someone that wears khaki shorts up past his belly button,thats willing to wake players up at 5 in the morning to tell them that they have been cut from the team.
EPK1979 - February 13, 2012 via mobile
Ha He looks like he still lives in his parents basement
njbengalstat - February 13, 2012
You won't miss this?
ddbumpus - February 13, 2012
Jesus.
dqniel - February 18, 2012
finally
keithster - February 13, 2012
The whole defense runs through Zimmer
I was never that concerned with the position coaching replacements. If Zim didn’t want them they wouldn’t be here. That means they can do what he needs them to do.
eric nyc - February 13, 2012
and if zimmer did want them here
they’d be in Houston.
Jason Blanton - February 13, 2012
Im just glad they got someone that had played at a high level
Not hating on Coyle but how many pro bowls did he go to? Not saying that means anything but to have someone come in here that had a good career,thats been through the battles and been a marquee player at his position, is only a good thing.
EPK1979 - February 13, 2012 via mobile
RE:
I’m not sure that’s a fair argument. Some of the best coaches in the NFL weren’t good players. And vice versa.
Josh Kirkendall - February 13, 2012
RE:
And some weren’t players at all.
Josh Kirkendall - February 13, 2012
Very true
Im just saying its been a normal thing for the Bengals to have coaches that havent had a career as decorated as Carrier. Its a nice change to go get someone that has had that playing experience.
EPK1979 - February 13, 2012 via mobile
Most great NFL Players made Lowsy Coaches
There are a few exceptions (Ditka, Dungy, someone help me out here…) but more turned out like Mike Singletary, Kenny Anderson, Jim Zorn.
MikePF - February 13, 2012
Only the best coaches in NFL history..
Don Shula, Chuck Noll, Tom Landry
Plus a lot of other guys like Jeff Fisher, Dan Reeves, Bill Cowher, Marty Schottenheimer..
indesignkat - February 13, 2012
whoa!
Kenny Anderson was and still is respected as a QB coach, why do you think Pryor’s agent paid for his sessions with him
RpaulK - February 13, 2012 via mobile
I like it
He was a great player, of course, but his coaching work has been very good too. I’m really looking forward to seeing what he does with our DBs.
indesignkat - February 13, 2012
Good hire
biggie22 - February 13, 2012
Hoepfully
He can convince Zimmer that Crocker is not the answer at SS
biggie22 - February 13, 2012
Yes. give him a job in the front office
Coldmutha - February 13, 2012
As a scout.
DTFCPDX - February 13, 2012
Gotta say I'm not disappointed
I think he will do a good job
Helmsy - February 13, 2012
I was hoping for Rod Woodson
but i guess i’ll just have to see how the Secondary holds up
Touhue Cha - February 13, 2012
In that picture
He looks a lot like LL cool J
biggie22 - February 13, 2012
This will help
Taylor Mays become “Comeback Player of the Year”. Just what the doctor ordered. Nice move!! Now another pass rusher & corner.
Coldmutha - February 13, 2012
Randy moss is back
Bengals should try to get him. Much rather have him than any receiver in FA.
Bengalsredsvictim - February 13, 2012 via mobile
No thanks
njbengalstat - February 13, 2012
Heard Teddy Bruschi say Moss was great locker room guy
Until he decides to go Gonzo
TX Bengal - February 13, 2012
I don't know anything about Carrier but we have to give him the benefit of the doubt.
We have to trust that MGMT get’s this right because our secondary was not the same at the end of the year not to mention that we will probably have 2 rookies added into the mix!
lightskin350 - February 13, 2012
We still could hire Woodson as some type defense assistant…
pray4gm11 - February 13, 2012 via mobile
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