Todd Bowles Declined Bengals Defensive Backs Coaching Position

As many of you know, the Bengals have yet to hire a new defensive backs coach. Long-tenured Kevin Coyle recently left to become the defensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff McLane, former Dolphins interim head coach Todd Bowles was offered the Bengals defensive backs position. Bowles ultimately accepted the same position with the Philadelphia Eagles. According to McLane, Bowles also declined the Oakland Raiders defensive coordinator position.

If you remember, Bowles, 48 years old, had previously been the Dolphins defensive backs coach and assistant head coach since the 2008 season. When Tony Sparano was fired 13 games into the 2011 season, Bowles took over as interim head coach. He led the Dolphins to two wins in their final four games, including defeating the Jets in the final week of the season, effectively ending the Jets playoff hopes.

The Bengals are expected to hire a new defensive backs coach at some point before the Combine in Indianapolis. The Combine begins on Feb. 22. The two candidates that have been discussed most frequently are Paul Guenther and Hall of Famer Rod Woodson. Guenther served as the assistant special teams and assistant defensive backs coach last season. Before the 2011 season, Guenther served as assistant linebackers coach. It's certainly possible that Guenther could become the teams linebacker coach for the 2012 season, as the contract recently expired for Jeff FitzGerald.

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