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The Cincinnati Bengals have announced three new coaching hires, one of which is a promotion.
Robert Livingston who spent the 2015 season as defensive quality control/special teams assistant has been promoted to assistant defensive backs coach. Prior to the 2015 season, Livingston was the team's Southeast Scout from 2012 to 2014. Livingston will work with Kevin Coyle who just rejoined the team as defensive backs coach. Both Mark Carrier and Vance Joseph, the co-defensive backs coaches for the past two years left the team this offseason. Joseph is now defensive coordinator for the Dolphins, while it's unclear why Carrier is no longer with the Bengals.
After his promotion last year, Livingston described his opportunity to coach on the Bengals' staff as a dream come true. "It's a phenomenal opportunity," Livingston said via the Times-News. "It's something that I've always loved."
The Bengals have also hired Dan Pitcher as an offensive assistant. Pitcher spent the last four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, serving as a pro scout with the Colts from 2014-15 and a scouting assistant from 2012-13. He was a three-year starting quarterback at SUNY-Cortland and was a 2011 finalist for the Gagliardi Award, presented to the most outstanding NCAA Division III football player. In 2012 has also coached wide receivers at SUNY-Cortland.
The third coaching hire is Robert Couch, who joins the team as offensive quality control coach. Couch has worked in private business in recent years while also coaching high school football. Couch played offensive line at Vanderbilt before playing on NFL practice squads including the Atlanta Falcons' and St. Louis Rams'. Couch continued his playing career in NFL Europe with Barcelona and London. Quality control coaches are typically involved in video breakdowns, game plan preparation, and some on-field duties.
According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, Pitcher will assist quarterbacks coach Bill Lazor and wide receivers coach James Urban while Couch helps Paul Alexander with the Bengals' offensive line.