Cincy Jungle - Head coaching updates for Bengals offensive coordinator Hue JacksonWho Deyhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48495/cincyjungle_fave.png2016-01-14T10:00:06-05:00http://www.cincyjungle.com/rss/stream/105188012016-01-14T10:00:06-05:002016-01-14T10:00:06-05:00Reflecting on Hue Jackson's time as Bengals' OC
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<p>Jay Gruden's replacement lasted two years as Cincinnati's offensive coordinator before being dragged away by another team. We won't get the chance to witness if Hue Jackson could have taken the Bengals to the next level, but we can reflect on his legacy.</p> <p>Cincinnati lost yet another coach on Wednesday when Hue Jackson was named head coach in Cleveland. He is going to be missed and not only because he was <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/1/13/10762862/bengals-react-to-hue-jackson-being-named-next-cleveland-browns-head">well respected by his players</a> but also because he's been a key element of two straight playoff campaigns, including a franchise-tying 12-win season in 2015.</p>
<p>The Los Angeles native started his history with the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bengals</a> in 1997, when Jackson was named USC offensive coordinator and had the chance to work with somebody named <span>Carson Palmer</span>, with whom he was later reunited in the Queen City and Oakland. Then in Washington he and <span>Marvin Lewis</span> first met and the relationship that was born there helped him land twice in Cincinnati afterward, once as wide receivers coach in 2004 and then as secondary assistant and special teams coach in 2012, after being fired from his first head coaching gig in Oakland.</p>
<p>When Jay Gruden left the Bengals for the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins" class="sbn-auto-link">Redskins</a>, Jackson was a natural in-house candidate to replace him because of his previous experience. Many wondered if young quarterback <span>Andy Dalton</span> had been good prior to the 2014 season because of Gruden or despite Gruden, and the change was a good opportunity for fans to find out. After all, Jackson had not also helped develop former Bengals franchise quarterback, Carson Palmer, but also <span>Joe Flacco</span> and had had a lot of success with running backs everywhere, from <span>Stephen Davis</span> in D.C. to <span>Darren McFadden</span> in Oakland.</p>
<p>He did not get a fair start though, losing two of his top three receivers before the first half of his first game at offensive coordinator concluded, and many realize now how badly those two guys absences - <span>Marvin Jones</span> and <span>Tyler Eifert</span> - hurt the team. Nonetheless, Jackson was able to rebuild the offense on the fly, switching to a power running scheme that made running back <span>Jeremy Hill</span> look like a star for years to come, and featured one of the most improbable stories of the year with undrafted rookie <span>Ryan Hewitt</span> becoming one of the best fullbacks in the game.</p>
<p>The Bengals team looked bad against good teams most of the time - excluding the mighty 37-28 win over the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Denver Broncos</a> on Monday Night Football in Week 16 to clinch a playoff spot. The offense was painful to watch at times many players sidelined, such as in the 27-0 loss in Indianapolis and the 24-3 loss to the <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Browns</a> at home on Thursday Night Football. And not only did Jones and Eifert miss the entire year, but <span>A.J. Green</span> and <span>Giovani Bernard</span> also missed time. The offensive line was without right tackle <span>Andre Smith</span> and right guard <span>Kevin Zeitler</span> for a combined 11 games too, and backup <span>Marshall Newhouse</span> was a disaster. Nonetheless they were able to make it to the playoffs and look good at times despite sporting players like <span>Greg Little</span>, <span>Jermaine Gresham</span> and <span>Brandon Tate</span> as their biggest receiving threats. Some thought the Bengals could have added better players capable of providing some spark, but they ultimately trusted what they had on the roster.</p>
<p>By most metrics Cincinnati's offense was not great in 2014. They were 15th in points per game, 16th in percentage of their drives that ended in a score, 20th in net yards per drive, 13th in yards per play, 18th in first downs and were tied at 20th with 26 turnovers, including 17 picks by Dalton, who struggled without many reliable targets other than Green and Bernard. But the rushing game blossomed, averaging 134,2 yards per game - good for 6th in the league - at a 4.4 yards per attempt average - 10th - and with plenty of missing talent returning in 2015, there was hope that things would only improve.</p>
<p>And that was what happened. The Bengals finished this season 7th in points per game, 6th in percentage of their drives that ended in a score, 11th in yards per play, 15th in first downs and 7th in turnovers with only 17. And quarterback Andy Dalton was on pace for one of the greatest years in franchise history until a thumb injury sidelined him for the last three and three quarters of the season's games. Luckily, Cincinnati did not look that bad with <span>AJ McCarron</span> either.</p>
<p>When Hue Jackson took over the offense, he kept most of the Jay Gruden scheme but retooled the ground game, and this year he unleashed his weapons with Eifert and Jones back. Hill regressed in 2015 though, and the Bengals were far more explosive with Bernard in the backfield. And one thing he could not overcome was <a href="http://nfl.nbcsports.com/2015/11/19/andy-dalton-and-the-problems-of-familiarity/">Dalton's struggles against common team</a>, something that has been hunting this franchise since his rookie season. Against good teams that know Cincinnati's offense they rarely play well, and most of the time they end up losing in the most tragic ways: Houston on Monday Night Football was this year's best example. Some of his critics also say Jackson got too cute way too many times, with a lot of changing formations and motions that forced the team to waste timeouts or drew a lot false start penalties. Though, they actually recorded the same number of false starts in 2015 as 2014, 21 including the playoffs. Saturday night's playoff game saw a 2-point conversion attempt against the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a> that was among the lows of his play calling, and it was a meaningful one because everything counts and the Bengals lost by two points.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/JoeGoodberry">@JoeGoodberry</a> quick someone hire hue Jackson as their head coach</p>
— JDee (@sammydipro) <a href="https://twitter.com/sammydipro/status/686053562242187264">enero 10, 2016</a>
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<p>But Hue Jackson was still a key element to this team's success. Even though Andy Dalton had a down year in 2014 and many pundits considered he was holding the Bengals back, he proved in 2015 that this team can win with him under the helm, and that helped Jackson net the job in Cleveland. Our own Anthony Cosenza said it best, when <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/1/13/10762416/will-bengals-experience-backslide-2016-with-hue-jackson-leaving-browns">wondering if Cincy is going to take a step back without him</a>:</p>
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<p>Regardless, the biggest differences in Dalton's game this year were his decisiveness, confidence and care of the football. Did this have more to do with Dalton's intense offseason workouts and the return of Tyler Eifert and Marvin Jones? Or was it Jackson concocting a scheme perfect for his quarterback and the weapons around him?</p>
<p id="paragraph20" class="pgh-paragraph">Again, maybe it's both.</p>
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<p>This is something we also considered when Gruden left for Washington, and even though most would say Jackson was at least more willing to adjust than his predecessor, it is fair to ask the same question now. Jackson's track record is impressive, and only a very dysfunctional organization like the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders" class="sbn-auto-link">Raiders</a>, could have sent him packing after an 8-8 season in which he lost his starting quarterback. In Cincinnati though he's helped this team to make a leap and even if it was not good enough to win a playoff game, it is also fair to wonder what could have happened with Dalton playing on Saturday and how different this analysis would then have been.</p>
<p>Congratulations to Hue Jackson; he deserved the opportunity and is one of the good guys.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/1/14/10763682/reflecting-on-hue-jacksons-two-years-as-bengals-offensive-coordinatormuertedeatenas2016-01-13T16:02:36-05:002016-01-13T16:02:36-05:00Will Hue Jackson leaving cause Bengals to regress?
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<p>The Cincinnati Bengals lost a wildly popular coach on their staff on Wednesday and many questions surround the club going into next season. Will they be able to recover from the loss of Jackson and other issues and still have a successful 2016 season?</p> <p>If you're a <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bengals</a> fan, the past week isn't exactly how you drew things up in your mind for the club. After an emotionally draining loss to their most heated rivals in the playoffs for another early exit, Cincinnati has experienced a major shift in their coaching staff. Earlier in the week, it was announced that Adam Gase took the <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Miami Dolphins</a> head coaching position, and he poached a couple of Bengals defensive assistant coaches to round out his staff in South Beach.</p>
<p>Former defensive backs coach and emerging star in the NFL ranks, Vance Joseph will man the <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/1/12/10755474/vance-joseph-leaving-bengals-to-become-dolphins-defensive-coordinator">defensive coordinator post for Gase</a>, while Matt Burke will <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/1/12/10757322/miami-dolphins-hire-bengals-linebackers-coach-matt-burke">coach the linebackers</a>, the same job he held with the Bengals. The impacts of both could be felt at the respective position groups they oversaw in 2015.</p>
<p>Additionally, most expected former Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson would get another shot at a head coaching position after such a solid output from the Bengals' offense this year, but they weren't sure where he would land. The <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Giants</a>, <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Browns</a> and <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">49ers</a> all came calling, but Jackson <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/1/13/10745426/cincinnati-bengals-offensive-coordinator-hue-jackson-hired-as">opted for the Bengals' rival in Cleveland</a>, immediately bringing validity to the Browns and an already-tough division.</p>
<p>After the 2013 season, the Bengals' coaching staff was mauled in a similar fashion, with then-defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and then-offensive coordinator Jay Gruden earning head coaching jobs with the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Vikings</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins" class="sbn-auto-link">Redskins</a>, respectively. After many believing Cincinnati couldn't recover from those losses, they have made two straight postseason berths, including a franchise-tying 12-win season in 2015.</p>
<p>But, after so many negative things happening in such a short period of time to start their offseason, will the Bengals take a step back in 2016?</p>
<h3>A Potential Hangover:</h3>
<p>Bengals players have <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/1/12/10756144/history-favors-letdown-in-2016-but-bengals-say-will-be-no-hangover">publicly proclaimed that a hangover</a> won't be occurring for the team after such a crushing loss to the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a> in the Wild Card round last weekend. That's all well and good, but it is player-speak after all, and the proof in the pudding will be when the team begins taking the field for meaningful games nine months from now.</p>
<p>Given some of the leadership in the locker room, guys like <span>Andrew Whitworth</span> and <span>Domata Peko</span>, who were the most vocal about the Bengals not having a hangover, could rein guys in to make sure they are focused. However with wild cards like <span>Vontaze Burfict</span> and <span>Adam Jones</span> (who is set to be a free agent) in the locker room, and Burfict set to miss the first three games of the season with a suspension, who knows what the prevailing attitude and effort level of this team will be after such a draining end to the season--both with the loss and with such well-respected coaches leaving elsewhere.</p>
<p>Paul Guenther had the defense play pretty well in 2015, particularly down the stretch when Burfict hit his stride and much of the pressure to win games was placed on the defense to aid AJ McCarron. But, the major story line of 2015 was the offense's productivity under Jackson.</p>
<h3>Free Agency and Jackson's Potential Poaching:</h3>
<p>Do you think Jackson doesn't realize wide receivers <span>Marvin Jones</span> and <span>Mohamed Sanu</span> are impending free agents? He's also perfectly aware the two starting safeties for the Bengals, <span>Reggie Nelson</span> and <span>George Iloka</span>, are impending free agents as well. With Cleveland already snatching up former Bengals players in recent years (<span>Andrew Hawkins</span>, <span>Frostee Rucker</span>) before Jackson's arrival, it might be even more prevalent with Jackson at the helm of the Browns.</p>
<p>Playing in the Browns' favor is Jackson time as a Bengals assistant coach in all three phases of the game. Before taking over for Gruden as offensive coordinator, Jackson dabbled with the running backs, special teams and the secondary since arriving in 2012. He knows this roster well and is likely already targeting a few players for the Browns to nab up when free agency hits. If he's able to land any one of those four aforementioned players, it could be a big blow to the Bengals in 2016--particularly on the offense, of which he so beautifully orchestrated all of last season.</p>
<p>Jackson also knows how to build a team up and raise them from the ashes of embarrassment. In his seven total seasons as a Bengals assistant coach, Jackson has witnessed two of <span>Marvin Lewis</span>' roster re-creations that have led to some of Cincinnati's most successful seasons. Jackson has undoubtedly taken notes from Lewis and knows how to work within the confines of unfavorable ownership, as he has coached for the Davis and Brown families.</p>
<p>It's in this construct and his past experiences that has Browns fans excited for the possibilities ahead for Cleveland. If he is able to build a strong foundation with the Browns, it might be at the expense of some of the Bengals' prized free agents. In his press conference on Monday, Lewis was confident in being able to keep a number of Cincinnati's impending free agents, but we'll see if that actually occurs.</p>
<h3>Has the well run dry?:</h3>
<p>As CJ contributor Cody Tewmey reminded me of on Twitter, the Bengals were able to bounce back extremely well after the losses of Gruden and Zimmer and should be able to get similar production from the offense Jackson conjured up because of the quality staff Lewis has built.</p>
<p>After all, the departures of Zimmer and Gruden worked out for all parties involved, given Cincinnati's two straight postseason berths as well as Minnesota and Washington both making the postseason in 2015. While it seems like a daunting task, Cincinnati tapped internal options to take over for their former coordinators.</p>
<p>Here's the rub: Jackson, a guy with former NFL head coaching experience, was readily available for them to lean on in the transition on offense. There doesn't seem to be any other internal candidates with the same kind of pedigree to replace him.</p>
<p>James Urban has done a good job with the receivers in his five seasons as a Bengals assistant coach, but he doesn't have any NFL coordinator experience. Ken Zampese also seems to be a name that frequently pops up as an option when this position has been vacated in recent years, be he doesn't have NFL coordinator experience either. Kyle Caskey, the team's running backs coach, might be a viable option as well, especially with his time studying under Jackson.</p>
<p>Any of these coaches could step in and have the success Gruden and Guenther had in their respective terms as Bengals coordinators, as both only had position coach experience before becoming coordinators themselves. Gase made a leap of faith by hiring Joseph for a promotion too. You just have to wonder if the Bengals can keep striking gold if they continue to promote from within their own organization, especially when needing to replace three coaches. Simply put, it would be another foray into the relative unknown in some of these vacancies.</p>
<h3>What about the Offense?:</h3>
<p>First of all, think about how <span class="sbn-auto-link">must</span><span> Andy Dalton</span> feel today. After experiencing a career season in 2015, he gets injured and is forced to watch the team's most heartbreaking loss to the team against whom he was injured. Then, he has to deal with the departure of the coach who spearheaded his MVP-like campaign and wonder who he'll have as his next coordinator, his third in four years. Tough breaks.</p>
<p>This is the big question though, and it gives a sort of chicken-or-the-egg kind of response. While he was very productive under Jackson, Dalton did have some nice statistical years under Gruden as well. Were Gruden and Jackson propped up a bit because of the overall talent the Bengals have built on that side of the ball, or were they both the wizards the Redskins and Browns believe they are?</p>
<p>Maybe it's a bit of both. Regardless, the biggest differences in Dalton's game this year were his decisiveness, confidence and care of the football. Did this have more to do with Dalton's intense offseason workouts and the return of <span>Tyler Eifert</span> and Marvin Jones? Or was it Jackson concocting a scheme perfect for his quarterback and the weapons around him?</p>
<p>Again, maybe it's both.</p>
<p>Congratulations to coach Jackson. While Bengals fans cringe seeing him leave for a hated rival, he is more than deserving of the opportunity for a variety of reasons. If you watched the NFL Network pregame show before the Wild Card game on Saturday, you also got a new appreciation of the man and the love he has for the Bengals' organization.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/1/13/10762416/will-bengals-experience-backslide-2016-with-hue-jackson-leaving-brownsAnthony Cosenza2016-01-13T12:52:10-05:002016-01-13T12:52:10-05:00Browns finalizing deal to hire Bengals OC Hue Jackson<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/687330413119991808">Browns finalizing deal to hire Bengals OC Hue&nbsp;Jackson</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>We'll have more on this once it's official.</p></p></div>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/1/13/10761986/browns-finalizing-deal-to-hire-bengals-oc-hue-jacksonRebecca Toback2016-01-12T11:34:10-05:002016-01-12T11:34:10-05:00Cleveland Browns pursuing Hue Jackson "most aggressively"<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/MikeSilver/status/686944813334171648">Cleveland Browns pursuing Hue Jackson "most&nbsp;aggressively"</a></h3>
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https://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/1/12/10755228/cleveland-browns-pursuing-hue-jackson-most-aggressivelyJosh Kirkendall2016-01-12T10:36:21-05:002016-01-12T10:36:21-05:00Hue Jackson headed to NY for interview with Giants
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<p>Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson is the most popular head coaching candidate this week, with several interviews already conducted and an upcoming interview scheduled for Thursday with the New York Giants.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> offensive coordinator Hue Jackson is <a href="https://twitter.com/JosinaAnderson/status/686910944040058884">scheduled to arrive in New York on Wednesday night</a> for a scheduled interview with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">Giants</a>' brass on Thursday, according to <i>ESPN</i>. Reports surfaced Sunday night that New York, in the market for a head coach, was expected to request permission for an interview, <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeSilver/status/686338018383278080" style="background-color: #ffffff;">originally reported by NFL reporter Michael Silver</a>. Bleacher Report insider <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonColeBR/status/686642455240925185" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Jason Cole also reported that Jackson was New York's top candidate</a>.</p>
<p>Veteran head coach Tom Coughlin "stepped down" after 12 seasons in New York, accumulating a regular season record of 102-90 (.531) and two <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">Super Bowl</a> championships.</p>
<p>Jackson, an assistant coach in high demand for several head coaching vacancies, has already met with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a>. According to <i>Fox Sports</i>, Cleveland is making a significant push for Jackson, offering him a "<a href="https://twitter.com/MikeGarafolo/status/686688880595177477" style="background-color: #ffffff;">big say in personnel</a>", whereas the 49ers, at one point, were viewed as the leading contender to win the Jackson sweepstakes.</p>
<p>As for Cincinnati, if Jackson leaves for another head coaching gig, the Bengals will be in the market for a new offensive coordinator. While there are <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/1/10/10746622/bengals-coaching-news-hue-jackson-updates-examining-possible-internal">several in-house candidates</a> that could be promoted as an offensive coordinator, there's a possibility Cincinnati could expand their search outside the organization. Though, we conjecture in-house candidates would be more preferable for the sake of continuity and familiarity for most of the team's offensive superstars.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/1/12/10754380/hue-jackson-update-interview-scheduled-with-new-york-giantsJosh Kirkendall2016-01-10T19:51:17-05:002016-01-10T19:51:17-05:00If Hue leaves, what are the options internally?
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<p>It seems like a foregone conclusion that Hue Jackson is leaving to become a head coach. If that happens, what are our options? </p> <p><a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cincinnati Bengals</a> offensive coordinator Hue Jackson is clearly in demand.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Francisco 49ers</a> and <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cleveland Browns</a> met with Jackson on Sunday and the overall belief is that he's a lock for the 49ers head coaching vacancy -- <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeSilver/status/686331462023426048">according to Mike Silver with the NFL Media, no offers have been made but both interviews went well</a>. The <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Giants</a> are <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeSilver/status/686338018383278080">expected to request an interview on Monday</a>. The <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Miami Dolphins</a> originally scheduled an interview with Jackson, but cancelled after deciding on former <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Broncos</a> and <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bears</a> offensive coordinator Adam Gase.</p>
<p>Regardless, it would seem like a massive upset if Jackson returns to Cincinnati in 2016 (NOTE: We've said the same thing during several offseasons about Mike Zimmer before Minnesota scooped him up).</p>
<p>If Cincinnati decides on an in-house promotion for their next offensive coordinator, there are a few options:</p>
<p><b>RB coach Kyle Caskey</b>. Caskey, who replaced Jackson when the latter was promoted as the team's offensive coordinator, concluded his sixth season with the Bengals this season. Having worked directly under Jay Gruden, and then Jackson, who kept many of Gruden's concepts and schemes, Caskey presents stability due to the limited need for change. During the entirety of his Cincinnati career, Caskey has trained/groomed under Gruden and Jackson, helping to keep <span>Andy Dalton's</span> development on course.</p>
<p>During his first season as the team's running backs coach, the offense finished sixth in the league with an average of 134.2 yards rushing per game; the team's best rushing performance dating back to 2000. Despite scoring 18 rushing touchdowns this season, the rushing offense took a slight step backwards, finishing 13th in the league with an average of 112.8 yards rushing per game.</p>
<p><b>WR coach James Urban</b>. Much like Caskey, Urban, who joined the team in 2011, has experience working under the system implemented by Gruden and enhanced by Jackson. Urban has a relationship with the major offensive players, the scheme, concepts and terminology. Not much would need to change. Urban has coached five-time pro bowler <span>A.J. Green</span>, setting franchise and league records, during each of his five seasons.</p>
<p>Prior to joining the Bengals, Urban spent seven seasons under Andy Reid in Philadelphia as an assistant head coach, quarterbacks coach and was set to become an assistant offensive coordinator when he changed course and joined the Bengals on Feb. 21, 2011.</p>
<p><b>QB coach Ken Zampese</b>. From the firing of Bob Bratkowski and Gruden's departure, Zampese's name usually surfaces as an internal candidate from external observers (fans and media), but has never been seriously considered as an offensive coordinator. Zampese, one of <span>Marvin Lewis</span>' original hires from '03, has coached <span>Jon Kitna</span>, <span>Carson Palmer</span>, Andy Dalton and backup quarterbacks <span>Ryan Fitzpatrick</span> and <span>AJ McCarron</span>.</p>
<p>Two things are working against Zampese as a possible hire: 1) He hasn't been seriously considered for the offensive coordinator position during any of the team's vacancies and 2) Is rarely mentioned by other teams looking for an offensive coordinator.</p>
<p><b>No One Within</b>. There's also real possibility Cincinnati expands their offensive coordinator search outside of the organization, especially if they feel that Caskey and Urban aren't ready. There is historical precedence. They yanked Gruden from the Arena Football League in 2011.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/1/10/10746622/bengals-coaching-news-hue-jackson-updates-examining-possible-internalJosh Kirkendall2016-01-07T16:03:16-05:002016-01-07T16:03:16-05:00Guenther drawing interest from Browns, Eagles
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<p>We now know when Paul Guenther and Hue Jackson will be interviewing with the Browns, and another team may also be interested in the Bengals' defensive coordinator. </p> <p><b>Update</b>: There are now reports surfacing that Paul Guenther does NOT have an interview scheduled with the Browns, yet.</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Despite reports, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Browns?src=hash">#Browns</a> never had interview scheduled w/ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bengals?src=hash">#Bengals</a> DC Guenther in 1st place. Doesn't mean won't happen, but not on sked yet</p>
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaryKayCabot/status/685560217451524096">January 8, 2016</a>
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<p>In 2014, the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cincinnati Bengals</a> lost both of their primary coordinators to head-coaching opportunities.</p>
<p>We may see the same situation play out this offseason as at least one Bengals coordinator will likely be a head coach elsewhere when the 2016 season opens. Hue Jackson is the most likely option to be a head man after coordinating one of the NFL's best offenses this season and helping <span>Andy Dalton</span> ascend into the elite tier of quarterbacks.</p>
<p>In today's offensive-driven NFL, leading a top quarterback to success and an offensive unit to high-ranking levels will get you a head coaching job very often, but so too will coordinating a defense that finished the regular season <a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/team/_/stat/total/sort/totalPointsPerGame/position/defense">ranked 2nd in scoring defense</a>. That's what Paul Guenther did in Cincinnati this season as he's built a top-10 defense that helped carry the Bengals to a 12-4 record.</p>
<p>Though Guenther has only been a coordinator for two seasons, he's already drawing interest around the NFL for vacant head-coaching jobs. According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Guenther will interview with the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cleveland Browns</a> Sunday after the Bengals play the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a> Saturday, but another team may be in the running for Guenther.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bengals?src=hash">#Bengals</a> defensive coordinator Paul Guenther will interview with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Browns?src=hash">#Browns</a> on Sunday after the game, source said. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Eagles?src=hash">#Eagles</a> also requested him.</p>
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/685133098187624449">January 7, 2016</a>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/1/5/10718292/cleveland-browns-to-interview-bengals-oc-hue-jackson-and-dc-paul">The Browns are also interviewing Jackson on Sunday</a> in Cincinnati, as well as the 49ers and Dolphins. It's pretty much a given Jackson will be a head coach somewhere next season, but losing Guenther is something that's not seemed possible until this week.</p>
<p>Guenther wasn't getting much, if any hype coming into this season after coordinating a defense that was questionable and had a down season in 2014. However, you cannot ignore how much improvement this unit has seen this season, going from 22nd in total defense last year to 11th this season. The Bengals also went from ranking last in sacks with 22 in 2014 to having 42 in 2015 and ranking 15th in the category.</p>
<p>Even during last year's struggles, Guenther was money calling defenses in the red zone, where opponents scored just 47.46 percent of the time in 2014 (<a target="_blank" href="https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/opponent-red-zone-scoring-pct?date=2015-02-01">6th best</a>) and just 47.37 percent his season (<a target="_blank" href="https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/opponent-red-zone-scoring-pct?date=2016-01-09">5th best</a>). He deserves to be in the mix for head-coaching opportunities, so we probably shouldn't be surprised if he too leaves this offseason.</p>
<p>The good news is, the Bengals will have several in-house and outside candidates to fill the job if Guenther does leave. The most obvious would be Vance Joseph, the co-defensive backs coach who was made famous this offseason because of <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/1/21/7867629/bengals-blocking-vance-joseph-forces-unusual-response" target="_blank">Cincinnati's reluctance to let the Denver Broncos and other teams interview him </a>as a defensive coordinator candidate.</p>
<p>That led to an outcry over Joseph being denied the chance to advance his career, and <span>Mike Brown</span> and the Bengals took a lot of heat for it. However, they look like the smart ones now that Guenther may be leaving and they clearly viewed him as an asset who could rise into that role.</p>
<p>Joseph helped lead a secondary that helped the Bengals finish third in the NFL with 21 interceptions as a team, led by safety <span>Reggie Nelson</span>, who tied for the individual league lead with eight interceptions. <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/5/24/8648591/vance-josephs-impact-on-bengals" target="_blank">Players have praised Joseph for his impact on the secondary</a>,</p>
<p><span>"He's had a great impact! He's a great teacher, very patient, always puts us in the best position setting us up for success," <span>Dre Kirkpatrick</span> said of Joseph's impact on him last season. </span></p>
<p>Former Bengals safety <span>Shiloh Keo</span>, who was with Joseph in Houston, said, <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/6/8/8743081/shiloh-keo-on-vance-joseph-hes-the-best-coach-ive-ever-had" target="_blank">"He’s (Joseph) hands-down the best coach I’ve ever had."</a></p>
<p>It may be safe to think he could be in line for a defensive coordinator role soon enough. If however the Bengals pass on Joseph, a familiar name is on the market.</p>
<p>After the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> surprisingly parted ways with Lovie Smith, Bucs defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier <a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/01/07/leslie-frazier-out-in-tampa-as-well/" target="_blank">was also let go</a>. That's significant to the Bengals because Frazier once served as their defensive coordinator from 2003-04 before being let go, a move <span>Marvin Lewis</span> to this day <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/bengals-vikings-2013/2013/12/21/5233558/marvin-lewis-admits-mistakes-with-leslie-frazier" target="_blank">admits was a mistake</a>.</p>
<p>Since then, Frazier has had successful stints as defensive backs coach for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Indianapolis Colts</a> and defensive coordinator for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> while also being their head coach from 2011-13. You could argue his Bucs stint was successful after his defense finished <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/team/_/stat/total/position/defense" target="_blank">10th overall</a> in 2015.</p>
<p>If Frazier is willing to let bygones be bygones, Lewis may be interested in having him back in Cincinnati. If it's not as defensive coordinator, perhaps Frazier could fill another role on defense, such as defensive backs coach is Joseph were promoted.</p>
<p>Either way, the Bengals will have several viable candidates to replace Guenther if he leaves. Let's just hope we're not worrying about that for at least another month.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/1/7/10731226/bengals-paul-guenther-hue-jackson-interviewing-with-browns-on-sundayJason Marcum2016-01-05T14:24:47-05:002016-01-05T14:24:47-05:00Browns to interview OC Jackson and DC Guenther
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<p>It's possible the Cincinnati Bengals could lose both their offensive and defensive coordinators after this season.</p> <p>With how well the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> are doing this season, it should come as no surprise that both the team's offensive coordinator, Hue Jackson and defensive coordinator, Paul Guenther, are among the assistant coaches getting interviews for a head coaching job in the NFL next season.</p>
<p>The Bengals' offense finished the season ranked 7th in points per game and 15th in yards per game. Those rankings were even better when <span>Andy Dalton</span> was in the lineup. The defense finished the season ranked 2nd in points allowed and 11th in yards allowed. The defense held the number one spot in points allowed for most of the season before losing the top spot to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a> in Week 17 after the Bengals limited the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Ravens</a> to 16 points, while the Seahawks held the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Cardinals</a> to 6.</p>
<p>Now, with coaching vacancies looking to be filled by many NFL teams, the men responsible for the Bengals' offense and defense are getting considered for those roles.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/1/4/10712840/49ers-dolphins-have-requested-permission-to-interview-bengals-oc-hue" target="_blank">49ers, Dolphins and Browns have all requested to interview Hue Jackson</a> while Guenther is apparently set to interview with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Browns</a> next week, too, <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/status/684449953326981121" target="_blank">according to Jason LaCanfora</a>. Neither can interview with any teams prior to Saturday's Wild Card game between the Bengals and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a>.</p>
<p>The Bengals lost both their offensive and defensive coordinators in 2013 when offensive coordinator Jay Gruden left the team to become the head coach of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a> and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer took a job as the head coach of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a>. In each of their second seasons, Gruden and Zimmer have led their teams to division titles and home playoff games in Wild Card weekend.</p>
<p><span>Marvin Lewis</span> is building quite a coaching tree and the Gruden and Zimmer's success is a good sign as to how Jackson and Guenther may do if given the opportunity to take on a head coaching role next season.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/1/5/10718292/cleveland-browns-to-interview-bengals-oc-hue-jackson-and-dc-paulRebecca Toback