It’s not really all that surprising.
It wasn’t long ago that Cincinnati Bengals fans were worried they would lose their defensive coordinator, especially after the team’s defense came out on top against the Chiefs on multiple occasions.
However, after two 9-8 seasons, the latter of which saw Joe Burrow put up MVP numbers and Ja’Marr Chase won the Triple Crown, he was fired. Someone had to fall on the sword, and it ended up being the “mad scientist.”
According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, Anarumo is drawing interest, specifically from head-coaching candidates around the league who are looking to add an experienced defensive coordinator if they land the job.
This makes sense, considering Zac Taylor brought Anarumo to Cincinnati under those exact circumstances, and just two years later, the Bengals beat Pat Mahomes’ Chiefs late in the season to win the division and again a few weeks later in the AFC Championship game.
Since then, Anarumo has interviewed for several head-coaching positions but was never picked. Instead, teams across the league are looking to offensive-minded coaches to groom young quarterbacks.
The NFL is a copycat league, though, and a young offensive-minded head coach candidate may look to Anarumo to help him out the way he helped Taylor in Cincinnati.
We now know one team interested, as the Indianapolis Colts will interview Anarumo next week.
The #Colts have begun their defensive coordinator search, with former #Bengals DC Lou Anarumo and longtime NFL coach Steve Wilks among those expected to interview next week, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 9, 2025
Even though the Colts aren’t looking for a new head coach, Shane Steichen is still one of the league’s youngest head coaches at just 39 years old, so having a veteran like Anarumo leading the defense could be a much-needed boost.
