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UPDATE
The far, the Bengals have let go of linebackers coach Jim Haslett, running backs coach Kyle Caskey, and tight ends coach Jonathan Hayes.
However, it appears at least half of the current staff will remain, which may include quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt, defensive line coach Jacob Burney, special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons, offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, secondary coach Daronte Jones, and wide receivers coach Bob Bicknell.
All signs continue to point toward not only the Bengals hiring an outside candidate, but also parting ways with the majority of their current staff.
According to PFT, the Bengals are working on releasing assistant coaches already on staff, though it’s unclear who exactly is being let go.
Hearing that the Bengals have begun the process of releasing assistant coaches.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) January 10, 2019
Had the Bengals hired Darrin Simmons, Hue Jackson, Bill Lazor or even Vance Joseph, it’s likely that the majority of the staff would have remained intact.
So, the fact that coaches are already being let go suggest the hire will be someone who hasn’t been with the organization and has no real ties to those coaches.
As of now, Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy appears to be in the best position to get the job, though we can’t count at Rams quarterbacks coach Zac Taylor and Rams passing game coordinator Shane Waldron.
Former Buccaneers offensive coordinator Todd Monken also appeared to be a strong contender, but it appears he won’t be getting a head-coaching gig, and he could end up within the division.
After impressing the #Jets in head-coach interviews, former #Bucs OC Todd Monken will interview with the #Browns for their vacant OC job this weekend, source said. He also spoke with #Jaguars about their vacant OC job.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 10, 2019
If the Bengals keep anyone on their current staff, quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt, offensive line coach Frank Pollack and special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons have done well with their respective units, so one of them may be worth keeping. Defensive line coach Jacob Burney has also done some fine work with his unit, although it’s harder to see at time because the linebacking group is so horrible.
But in the end, this is another great sign that the Bengals are going with a complete overhaul vs. hiring Marvin Lewis lite (Vance Joseph or Hue Jackson) and keeping most of the staff intact. It’s time for a complete rebuild on this staff, and the Bengals appear ready to do so.
Now, it’s just a matter of who the next head coach will be.