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Bengals secondary coach Kevin Coyle will not be returning in 2018, according to Sporting News NFL reporter Alex Marvez.
Coyle, who completed his second stint with the Bengals, rejoined the team in 2016 after spending 11 seasons in Cincinnati between 2001-11. During his brief departure, Coyle served as the Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator, but struggled to build an effective defense that ranked inside the top-20 during his four seasons with the team.
However, as a position coach, Coyle excelled, with multiple players becoming Pro Bowlers, including Deltha O’Neal, who finished 2005 tied for the league lead in interceptions. Over the course of several seasons, he’s also helped develop Johnathan Joseph and Leon Hall, one of the league’s top cornerback duos during their prime. Coyle, who began his coaching career as a college assistant with the University of Cincinnati, recently benefited with several first-round talents such as Adam Jones, Dre Kirkpatrick, Darqueze Dennard and William Jackson III.
Even during his second stint, Cincinnati’s secondary enjoyed some successes. They finished one interception short of leading the NFL in 2016, with defensive backs responsible for 13 of those picks. In addition, opposing quarterbacks only managed an opposing quarterback rating of 83.1, fifth-lowest in the NFL. Coyle’s successes also included a great season from Jackson in 2017, his essential rookie season after missing all of 2016 due to a torn bicep. He finished 2017 with 27 tackles, 1 sack and 1 interception, which happened to be a pick six on Aaron Rodgers.
In September 2016 there was a report that Bengals players were unhappy with Coyle, though, it was denied by many people in Cincinnati and came from the Miami media where players admittedly weren’t keen on Coyle during his time there.
The Bengals are looking for a new quarterbacks coach, offensive line coach and secondary coach after hiring Teryl Austin as the team’s new defensive coordinator and Bob Bicknell as wide receivers coach yesterday.