:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63095390/107930269.jpg.0.jpg)
The Bengals’ staff is almost complete, but they’re still searching for a linebackers coach.
According to Alex Marvez, the Bengals are looking to interview Saints assistant Michael Hodges for that very role:
Source tells me @Bengals have put in a request to interview @Saints defensive assistant @CoachMikeHodges for their LBs coach vacancy. Hodges works primarily with the LBs in New Orleans under Mike Nolan.
— Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) February 22, 2019
Hodges joined the Saints in 2017 after serving on the coaching staff at Eastern Illinois University from 2014-16. From 2014-15, Hodges coached the linebackers. In 2016, he was elevated to co-defensive coordinator, while also coaching the team’s safeties.
That came after Hodges spent two seasons as a defensive graduate assistant coach at Fresno State, where he coached the inside linebackers.
For his college football career, Hodges played linebacker at Texas A&M from 2008-11. He was a two-time Academic All-Big 12 selection and was named a first-team Academic All-American in 2010. He earned second-team All-Big 12 honors as a senior when he led the Aggies in tackles
Hodges actually played at Texas A&M while new Bengals assistant Jim Turner was the Aggies’ o-line coach, so there is a prior connection, something Zac Taylor has been putting an emphasis on within his staff.