Some names you know and others you might not.
Now that the 2024 NFL regular season is over, the Cincinnati Bengals have fired defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.
Back in December, our own Matt Minich did an article detailing several defensive coordinator candidates for the Bengals to consider, so we’re re-publishing it.
Enjoy!
It should surprise no one that Lou Anarumo is still this team’s defensive coordinator. Al Golden left for Notre Dame a few seasons ago, and Robert Livingston is now working with Coach Prime in Colorado. Firing Anarumo in the middle of the season doesn’t make the Bengals any better.
Still, it looks as though that day is coming. For all of the epic game plans that the magician has concocted, this unit just isn’t getting any better. Week in and week out, it is the same mistakes. Poor tackling and missed assignments cannot be a problem in December.
So, if the job were to open up as the season draws to an end, who could make this defense better? Here are seven names I’d consider.
Big Names NFL Guys
Robert Saleh – Former Head Coach – New York Jets
Saleh’s defenses in San Francisco were known for generating pressure and creating turnovers. That is exactly the kind of defense the Bengals need.
Saleh is a well-respected coach who could attract some excellent free agents. He would be a huge addition and could be exactly what this team needs to get back on a winning track.
Matt Eberflus – Former Head Coach – Chicago Bears
First off, the defensive coordinator doesn’t call timeouts (and neither does Eberflus *ba dum tsss).
Seriously, though, don’t worry about what he is as a head coach. Think back to what he was as a coordinator. In Indianapolis, Eberflus instilled a culture of accountability. He was known for making the scheme easy for players to understand and expecting maximum effort. His defenses were disciplined and never outworked. This sounds like exactly what the Bengals need.
Eberflus has learned from some of the best defensive minds in football, including Monte Kiffin, Rob Ryan, Dean Pees, and Rod Marinelli.
Mike Pettine – Assistant Head Coach/Outside Linebackers Coach – Minnesota Vikings
Pettine came up under Rex Ryan in Baltimore. He followed him to New York and was entrusted with running the Jets’ defense. He was also the defensive coordinator in Buffalo and Green Bay with a stop as the Browns head coach in between (hey, nobody’s perfect). Now he is working under Brian Flores in Minnesota where he has provided guidance for the young head coach.
Pettine has a long track record of success and has coached some excellent defenses. He would be a fantastic hire.
Up-and-Coming NFL Guys
Steve Clinkscale – Defensive Backs Coach – Los Angeles Chargers
With all of the hype being given to Jesse Minter, it’s surprising that Clinkscale isn’t getting more attention. Clinkscale served as the defensive backs coach and co-coordinator at Michigan before following Jim Harbaugh and Minter to the NFL. Prior to that, he coached at Kentucky, Cincinnati, Illinois, Toledo, Western Carolina, and Ashland.
The Youngstown native was given the co-coordinator title in his second season at Michigan and was part of the Chargers’ impressive defensive display this season. He could be the next big-name coordinator.
Jim Leonard – Defensive Backs Coach – Pass Game Coordinator – Denver Broncos
A former UDFA who managed to carve out a decade-long career in the NFL, Leonard eventually returned to his alma mater at Wisconsin to start his coaching career. He climbed up the ranks from assistant to coordinator where he quickly made a name for himself. He put together some impressive defensive units and was considered one of the best coordinators in college football. His units showed a toughness and tenacity that has been lacking in Cincinnati lately.
Leonard is currently on a Broncos defensive staff that has done some impressive things this season.
College Coordinators
Like Leonard, these coaches are true teachers who have shown the ability to quickly develop talent and have defended a wide variety of offensive schemes.
Tosh Lupoi – Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers – Oregon
No, not Josh Tupou.
With experience as a defensive line coach in the NFL, Lupoi is currently the defensive coordinator at Oregon. Prior to that, he held the same position at Alabama. When you hire a Saban guy, you know you are hiring a grinder.
Lupoi has put together some impressive defenses and is a really hot name in college football. A jump back to the NFL as a coordinator could be a great move.
Bryant Haines – Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers – Indiana
While his boss Curt Cignetti is getting a lot of love for the team’s 11-1 record, Haines isn’t getting a lot of buzz yet.
Indiana ranks second in the NCAA in total defense, giving up an average of 244.8 yards per game this season. That’s pretty impressive, given that they are sandwiched between top-ranked defenses like Ohio State (No. 1) and Texas (No. 3), both of which have substantially larger budgets and much more prestige on the recruiting trail.
The ability to do less with more may be just what the doctor ordered in Cincinnati.
Robert Livingston – Defensive Coordinator/Safeties – Colorado
The Bengals consistently got good play out of their safeties when Robert Livingston was in town coaching the position from 2016-23 after previously working for the team as a scout and then a quality control coach.
The safety took a steep dive when he left in the 2024 offseason to become Coach Prime’s defensive coordinator for the Colorado Buffaloes, who had one of the biggest defensive turnarounds in college football from ‘23 to ‘24.
For his efforts, Livingston was named a semifinalist for the Broyles Award, given annually to the top assistant coach in college football.
We briefly touched on a potential reunion with Livingston back in November. Given his familiarity with the Bengals, he will be someone they take a hard look at to replace Lou.
Of the names mentioned above, which do you prefer for the Bengals to hire as Anarumo’s replacement? Or do you have someone else in mind? Sound off in the comments!
