Bengals name Matt Burke as the team's newest linebackers coach

The Cincinnati Bengals have named Matt Burke as the team's newest linebackers coach, the team announced on Saturday. Burke spent the last five seasons with the Lions as their linebackers coach. Cincinnati's vacancy opened up after Paul Guenther was promoted to defensive coordinator once Mike Zimmer accepted the head coach position in Minnesota.

"We’re fortunate to get a coach of Matt’s quality and experience to move into this spot," said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. "Matt has come up under the system of Jim Schwartz, starting with Jim at the Tennessee Titans and then moving on when Jim got the head coaching job at Detroit. He was one of Jim’s hand-picked guys, and I think most people know how much I respect Jim as a friend and colleague.

"Matt did great work with developing the young linebackers at Detroit, and he brings ideas and perspective from another system, which is something great for us to have as a staff."

Burke, 37, helped lead a Lions defense that ranked sixth in the NFL against the run in 2013. He was instrumental in the development of LBs Stephen Tulloch and DeAndre Levy at Detroit. Both players joined the Lions during his tenure. The linebackers led the Lions in total tackles in 2012.

Prior to joining the Lions, Burk spent five seasons on the Tennessee Titans coaching staff, working as an administrative assistant and defensive assistant. He coached three seasons in the college ranks before entering the NFL.

"It’s a great opportunity to come and work with one of the NFL’s best defenses," Burke said, "and I look forward to getting to know our players and establish communication with them. It’s great to be able to work with Marvin. Jim (Schwartz) feels the same way about Marvin as Marvin does about him, so I think everyone felt it was a good fit all around."

A native of Hudson, Mass., Burke played safety at Dartmouth. He was part of an undefeated Ivy League championship team in 1996.