Disclaimer: I don’t think it is going to happen.
If this were the year that the Bengals decided to move on from head coach Zac Taylor, this would be a hot job. Yes, there are some idiosyncrasies to the Bengals’ setup, but it is not very often that a job comes up with a quarterback like Joe Burrow on the squad.
The general rule for coaches is that if you are an offensive coach, you should put a lot of resources into the other side of the ball and use your expertise to be successful on offense. Zac Taylor and the Bengals have just loaded up on offense and have not been able to scheme or develop their way into a successful defense.
So maybe they should go with a defensive-minded coach the next time they hire a head coach.
Most of the coaches on this list are just that.
1. Brian Flores – Defensive Coordinator – Minnesota Vikings
The 44-year-old Brian Flores got a raw deal in his first stint as a head coach. Although he failed to make the playoffs in his three seasons with the Dolphins, Flores won 10 and 9 games in his final two seasons, respectively. This was no small feat, given the unimpressive quarterback play. In his final season, the Dolphins started slow before going on a 7-game winning streak.
Flores came up under Belichick, working his way up the chain for 11 years before getting his first head coaching gig in Miami. After a year with the Steelers, he headed to Minnesota, where he has led a dynamic defense for the past three seasons.
Flores is a great fit for the Bengals. He has the technical coaching skills as well as the demeanor to bring about a new age of accountability in Cincinnati.
2. Robert Saleh – Defensive Coordinator – San Francisco 49ers
Robert Saleh is another example of a good coach who got shafted out of his first head coaching job. He was starting to build something with the Jets before management burned it to the ground to give Aaron Rodgers everything he wanted.
After that Saleh went back to San Francisco, reuniting with Kyle Shanahan and resuming his duties as defensive coordinator. That was where Saleh’s defense helped fuel the 49ers on a Super Bowl run, posting 48 sacks and 27 turnovers.
Saleh is an established coach who gets results.
3. Jesse Minter – Defensive Coordinator – Los Angeles Chargers
Jesse Minter inherited a bad Chargers defense, and at the end of his first season, they led the league with the fewest points allowed per game. This year, they continue to perform at a high level.
Minter is from the Harbaugh family defensive coaching tree, looping between Michigan and Baltimore. Minter had multiple defensive assistant positions under John with the Ravens over a four-year span, before becoming the defensive coordinator at Michigan and then following Jim to the Chargers.
If his name sounds familiar, that may be because his father Rick was the head coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats from 1994-2003.
I have my apprehensions about Jon Gruden, but there are a number of things working in the Sandusky native’s favor.
He has a wealth of experience as a head coach and a Super Bowl ring to show for it. He also has a great offensive mind, and it would be very fun to watch what he can do with the talent in Cincinnati.
His brother, Jay, was once the offensive coordinator for the Bengals, so Gruden knows what it is like in Cincinnati. His experience and prestige will give him the credibility he needs to push the Brown/Blackburn family to make the changes necessary to make a Super Bowl run.
Curt Cignetti has the Indiana Hoosiers sitting near the top of the rankings yet again this season, despite the huge disparities in NIL money. Far from just defending his team from poachers, Cignetti has been very successful in the transfer portal, though he is not able to lure players away with money. The Hoosiers have been able to target players who other teams have failed to identify as top talents and develop them into highly productive players.
Although the NFL is very different from college football, the Bengals are a team that is often forced to compete on uneven ground. Cignetti’s experience in this area could make this dark horse the right hire.
6. Jeff Hafley – Defensive Coordinator – Green Bay Packers
Jeff Hafley is a rising star and will likely be a hot candidate this offseason. He had seven years of NFL coaching experience before becoming the co-defensive coordinator at Ohio State. Following an impressive, but short run with the Buckeyes, Hafley became the head coach at Boston College.
Hafley had a record of 22-26 in his time at BC, before heading back to the NFL. Now the defensive coordinator for the Packers. In his first season as an NFL coordinator, his unit ranked 3rd in scoring defense and 3rd in yards allowed. This year he continues to impress.
Hafley did not have a great run as a college head coach, but he didn’t have Joe Burrow either. His defenses are always lights out, which this team desperately needs.
7. Steve Spagnuolo – Defensive Coordinator – Kansas City Chiefs
Steve Spagnuolo is arguably the best defensive coordinator in the game. His defenses beat Tom Brady’s Patriots in two Super Bowls. Then Andy Reid brought him to Kansas City, where he did what the Bengals failed to do over the last few seasons. He took young, cheap players and quickly developed them into a competitive defensive unit.
He has been a head coach in the past, and it was unimpressive, but the 65-year-old could have a very different experience with a quarterback like Burrow under center.
8. Vance Joseph – Defensive Coordinator – Denver Broncos
The Bengals identified Vance Joseph as an up-and-coming talent when he was their defensive backs coach. He moved on to a defensive coordinator role, which led to a head coaching job in Denver. That only lasted two years, and in all honesty, I think they cut bait on him too early.
Joseph has been a successful defensive coordinator ever since and continues to impress with his technical and leadership abilities. He deserves another shot at a head coaching position.
9. Joe Brady – Offensive Coordinator – Buffalo Bills
Many of you are probably asking yourself why Joe Brady is this low on the list. Brady’s obvious connection to this job is Joe Burrow. When the two came together at LSU, both of their careers took off, but I don’t know if I see anything on Brady’s resume that projects him to be a great head coach.
Sure, he can call a good offensive game, but it is not like the Bengals have much of an offensive problem.
True, he is Burrow’s boy, but if that is what you are looking for, just keep Zac Taylor.
10. Kliff Kingsbury – Offensive Coordinator – Washington Commanders
Kliff Kingsbury is probably not a good head coach.
I mean, who gets fired from their alma mater, where they are a legend?
He is, however, one heck of an offensive coordinator. If they wanted to lean even harder into building this team around defense, he would be your guy.
It could be a lot of fun. However, if they don’t find the right defensive coordinator, it could be a complete calamity.
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