CINCINNATI – Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo is expected to return to the team for a third season.
The team did not announce a coach decision, but Bengals’ voice played by Dan Hoard made the statement at 700 WLW on Monday night.
“Lou Anarumo is back, the defensive coordinator,” said Hoard at Bengals Line. “I’m sure many people, especially after giving up 404 yards yesterday [Sunday] I was wondering if that would be the case, but Zac Taylor and the Bengals owners saw clearly enough in the games that preceded this, especially considering the guys who were trying to bring it back as DC. “
There was much speculation that Anarumo could be dismissed after yet another roller coaster season to defend the Bengals. They suffered significant injuries in their defensive and secondary line.
The defensive tackle DJ Reader only appeared in five games, cornerback Trae Waynes lost all season and the eight-time Pro Bowler Geno Atkins only had a tackle after suffering a shoulder injury on the training ground.
The injuries combined with some solid performances in the second half of the season helped Anarumo to keep his job.
“I really think there is a big and strong dose of respect between Zac Taylor and Lou Anarumo,” said Dave Lapham. “They have trained with each other in the past and I think they are confidential to each other. They have the opposite side of each other’s football ideas. I think they feel there is confidence in that.”
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The Bengals are 6-25-1 under Taylor. He brought Anarumo and clearly wanted to keep him around for another season.
Taylor’s loyalty can be useful to him if he is able to change things. Otherwise, it can be conducted until the end of the 2021 season.
He knows that Bengals need to start winning games.
“That’s my expectation. I’m certainly tired of losing,” said Taylor on Monday. “We work hard and believe in the players we have and the coaches we have. We certainly hope to win many more football games than we have. That is the standard we have to set in the future.”
Bengals is splitting up with five assistant coaches, including offensive coach Jim Turner, defensive coach Nick Eason and wide receiver coach Bob Bicknell.
Taylor did not confirm any of the changes on Monday, but it appears that key assistants, including Anarumo and offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, will return next season.
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