bengals coaching staff

STAFF
BENGALS COACHING STAFF
2006 DRAFT CHOICES
COLLEGE FREE AGENTS
2005 REVIEW
HISTORY
RECORDS
STADIUM , NFL & MEDIA
Individually, the ’05 club featured record-breaking
performances by QB Carson Palmer, CB Deltha O’Neal,
WR Chad Johnson, HB Rudi Johnson and K Shayne
Graham.
Palmer led the NFL with a Bengals-record 32 TD
passes and ranked second in the NFL with a Bengalsrecord 101.1 passer rating. O’Neal tied for the NFL lead
with a club-record 10 interceptions. Chad Johnson won
his third straight AFC receiving yards title (club-record
1432) and also led the conference in catches (97). Rudi
Johnson broke his own team rushing record with 1458
yards, and Shayne Graham broke his own team scoring
record with 131 points while qualifying as the most accurate field goal kicker (87.5%) in team history.
Palmer, O’Neal, Graham and Chad Johnson were
voted to the Pro Bowl, as was OT Willie Anderson.
The ’05 Bengals also drew record regular-season
attendance for the third straight year, averaging 65,809
per contest. The team has sold out its last 20 home
games (regular and postseason), and the last 23 Bengals
games (home or road) have each been the top-rated
show among all TV programming in Cincinnati for their
respective weeks.
Lewis was named
Bengals head coach
on Jan. 14, 2003, becoming at the time the
eighth African-American to be named to
an NFL head coaching position. The 8-8
Bengals were NFL’s
most improved team
in 2003, and Lewis
finished second behind
Bill Belichick of New
England in Associated
Press voting for NFL
Coach of the Year. In
2004, Lewis guided
the Bengals to a .500
finish while QB Carson
Palmer was seeing his
first NFL action, and
also while adjusting
to injuries that sent
18 players to seasonending medical reserve
lists.
Lewis has been
demanding of Bengals players, stressing punctuality,
accountability and attention to detail. But while demanding more, he has given more. With support from team
ownership, he has upgraded the weight room, brought
more amenities to the locker room and improved team
meal service.
“He has treated guys like pros, and we’ve acted more
VETERANS
Marvin Lewis is in his
fourth season as Bengals
head coach, coming off a
2005 campaign in which
he guided the team to the
AFC North Division championship. The Bengals
gained the No. 3 seed in
the AFC playoffs with an
11-5 record before losing
to Pittsburgh, the eventual
Super Bowl winner, in the Wild Card round.
Lewis is the only Bengals head coach not to
experience a losing season. Taking over in 2003 after
Cincinnati had posted a franchise-worst 2-14 record,
he led a pair of 8-8 finishes before breaking through to
the division title in ’05.
Lewis’ 27-21 record in regular-season play is the
best among Bengals head coaches. His .563 winning
percentage tops the .561 mark of Forrest Gregg, who
went 32-25 from 1980-83. When postseason play is
included, Lewis stands second, with a .551 percentage
(27-22 record) to Gregg’s .557 (34-27 record).
On Feb. 16 of this
year, it was announced
that the Bengals and
Lewis had entered a
new agreement, extending his contract through
the 2010 season. Lewis
previously had been
signed through 2008.
The 2005 Bengals
secured the franchise’s
first playoff berth and
division title since
1990. Throughout the
offseason prior to the
’05 campaign, Lewis
stressed the need for a
fast start, and the team
responded by starting
4-0 for the first time
since the Super Bowl
season of 1998. The
’05 Bengals were the
first club in franchise
history to win each of
its first three games by
14 or more points, and
they set a three-game club record with 16 takeaways
in the first three contests, en route to posting a clubrecord and NFL-best turnover differential of plus-24
for the season.
The ’05 Bengals lost fewer fumbles (6) than any
team in franchise history, and they allowed the fewest
sacks (21).
ROSTERS
MARVIN LEWIS — Head Coach
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STAFF
ROSTERS
VETERANS
2006 DRAFT CHOICES
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STADIUM , NFL & MEDIA
like pros,” said Willie Anderson.
In addition to bringing the football team more
confidence and unity, Lewis has reached out to
strengthen the franchise’s ties to the community, making more than 180 appearances in his first three years
while launching the highly successful Marvin Lewis
Community Fund (MLCF). In its brief existence, the
Fund has donated more than $1
million to six recipients, four
signature programs and other
regional non-profit organizations.
In 2005, the MLCF added
a new program, the Inner City
Youth Football Collaborative
(ICYFC). The collaborative
brought together Bengals ownership, players and alumni, Cincinnati Public Schools, the Cincinnati Recreation Commission and
area companies to support more
than 2000 inner-city youth, with
a focus on the game of football
and life. In 2006, the program
will expand its collaboration
to include the Cincinnati Reds
Community Fund and the Community Engagement Through
Athletics (CETA), providing yearround academic, community
and character enrichment in the
empowerment zone of Cincinnati.
A partial list of organizations Coach Lewis and
the MLCF have supported includes the Boys and Girls
Clubs, Youth Inc., Minorities in Mathematics and Science, SUCCESS by 6, the National Multiple Sclerosis
Society, Boys Hope Girls Hope, the Cincinnati Public Library, FreeStore/FoodBank, Over-the-Rhine Chamber of
Commerce, the NAACP, the Juvenile Diabetes Research
Foundation and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. To learn
more, visit www.marvinlewis.org.
In 2003, when Lewis was hired as the ninth head
coach in Bengals history, he brought credentials as a
record-setting NFL defensive coordinator with a Super
Bowl championship ring.
In 2002, the season before he joined the Bengals,
Lewis led the Washington Redskins to a No. 5 NFL
defensive ranking, serving as assistant head coach as
well as defensive coordinator. He came to the Redskins
after six seasons (1996-2001) as defensive coordinator
with the Baltimore Ravens, a tenure that included a Super
Bowl victory in the 2000 season.
In the 2000 regular season, Lewis’ Baltimore
defense set the NFL record for fewest points allowed in
a 16-game campaign (165), clipping 22 points off the
previous mark.
Lewis had his first NFL assignment from 1992-95,
as linebackers coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The
opportunity came after 11 years in college coaching.
Lewis began his coaching career as linebackers’
coach at his alma mater, Idaho State, from 1981-84.
Also nicknamed the Bengals, ISU finished 12-1 during
Lewis’ first season and won the NCAA Division 1-AA
championship. In 1985-86, Lewis was linebackers coach
at Long Beach State, and he held the same post at New
Mexico from ’87-89. In 1990, he accepted a position
coaching outside linebackers at
the University of Pittsburgh, and
he joined the Steelers and the
NFL after two seasons at Pitt.
Lewis played LB at Idaho
State, earning All-Big Sky Conference honors for three consecutive years (1978-80). He
also saw action at quarterback
and free safety during his college
career. He received his bachelor’s
degree in physical education
from Idaho State in 1981, and
earned his master’s in athletic
administration in ’82. He was
inducted into Idaho State’s Hall
of Fame in 2001.
Born Sept. 23, 1958, Lewis attended Fort Cherry High
School in McDonald, Pa. (near
Pittsburgh), where he was an
all-conference quarterback and
safety. He also earned high
school letters in wrestling and
baseball. He and his wife, Peggy, have a daughter,
Whitney, and a son, Marcus.
PLAYING AND COACHING HISTORY — 197880: Played linebacker, quarterback and safety at Idaho
State. 1981-84: Assistant coach (AC), Idaho State.
1985-86: AC, Long Beach State. 1987-89: AC, New
Mexico. 1990-91: AC, Univ. of Pittsburgh. 199295: AC, Pittsburgh Steelers. 1996-2001: Defensive
coordinator, Baltimore Ravens. 2002: Assistant head
coach/defensive coordinator, Washington Redskins.
2003-present: Bengals head coach.
LEWIS’ NFL HEAD COACHING RECORD
Regular Season
Team
W L
Cincinnati
8 8
Cincinnati
8 8
Cincinnati
11 5
27 21
T
0
0
0
0
Pct.
.500
.500
.688
.563
Postseason
Year Team
W L
2005 Cincinnati
0 1
Total
0 1
T
0
0
Pct.
.000
.000
Year
2003
2004
2005
Total
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RECORDS
STADIUM , NFL & MEDIA
Location
Miami, Florida
Glendale, Arizona
Tampa, Florida
Miami, Florida
HISTORY
Date
February 4, 2007
February 3, 2008
February 1, 2009*
February 7, 2010*
2005 REVIEW
Super Bowl
Super Bowl XLI
Super Bowl XLII
Super Bowl XLIII
Super Bowl XLIV
*Tentative date
COLLEGE FREE AGENTS
FUTURE SUPER BOWL DATES AND SITES
2006 DRAFT CHOICES
PLAYING AND COACHING HISTORY — 197981: Played offensive tackle at Cortland State. 1983-84:
Graduate assistant, Penn State. 1985-86: Graduate
assistant, Michigan. 1987-91: Assistant coach (AC),
Central Michigan. 1992-93: AC, New York Jets. 19942002: AC, Bengals. 2003-present: Assistant head
coach/offensive line coach, Bengals.
VETERANS
year (1458 yards). The Bengals have had a rusher gain
1200 or more yards six times in the last seven seasons,
including the five most productive individual rushing
seasons in team history.
All of the above helped the offense finish fourth in the
NFL in scoring at 26.3 points per game. The team’s 421
total points tied for third-most in Bengals history.
On Oct. 22, 2000, Alexander’s Bengals line shared the
glory of a 278-yard rushing game by HB Corey Dillon vs.
Denver. It was an NFL record at the time, and it still stands
second in league annals entering the 2006 season. The
Bengals’ 407 total rushing yards in that game ranks as the
fifth-highest single-game total in NFL history, and as the
most yards in 55 years. The last team to top it was the New
York Giants, who gained 423 against Baltimore in 1950.
Alexander began his NFL coaching career in 1992 as
tight ends coach of the N.Y. Jets, under head coach Bruce
Coslet. When Coslet moved to Cincinnati as offensive
coordinator in 1994, Alexander joined him, in the role of
Bengals tight ends coach.
But Alexander’s first love in football was always
the offensive line. He was afforded the chance to take
over that job for the Bengals in 1995, and has held it
ever since.
Alexander is a product of distinguished teachers.
He coached under Joe Paterno at Penn State and Bo
Schembechler at Michigan. He also was offensive line
coach at Central Michigan, a school whose coach, Herb
Deromedi, ranks with Paterno and Schembechler among
the winningest coaches in NCAA Division I history.
Alexander’s birthdate is Feb. 12, 1960. He’s a native
of Rochester, N.Y., where he attended Cardinal Mooney
High School. He was an Academic All-American at Cortland State (N.Y.) and holds a master’s degree in exercise
physiology from Penn State. He and his wife, Kathy, have
three daughters, Mary Beth, Carolyn and Emily.
ROSTERS
Paul Alexander is in
his 13th season on the
Bengals coaching staff. It’s
his 12th straight season as
offensive line coach, and
since the hiring of Marvin
Lewis as Bengals head
coach in 2003, Alexander
has had the added role of
assistant head coach.
“It has been important
to me to have Paul as an advisor, as well as having him for
his work with our offensive line,” said Lewis. “When I first
came here, his knowledge of our team gave me a source for
some very important direction. Since then, he has helped
me in a lot of areas off and on the field.”
As offensive line coach in 2005, Alexander directed
a unit primarily responsible for the best pass protection
in franchise history. The ’05 club set franchise records
for fewest total sacks allowed (21) and sacks allowed per
game (1.3). The previous record for total sacks allowed
had been 24, set during the 14-game seasons of 1972 and
’73. The previous record for sacks per game had been 1.6,
set by the Alexander-coached 1995 line that allowed 25
total in 16 games.
The Bengals did not allow more than two sacks in
any game in ’05, and the line’s excellent protection helped
QB Carson Palmer set Bengals records for passer rating
(101.1) and TD passes (NFL-leading 32).
“Simply, we have talented guys who are technically
sound and play well together,” Alexander said of the 2005
performance. “We’re fortunate to have as many good
linemen as we do.”
Alexander was instrumental in the securing of those
linemen. Starting ROT Willie Anderson, who made the Pro
Bowl for the third straight year in 2005, was recommended
by Alexander when the Bengals looked for an offensive
tackle with their first choice in the 1996 NFL Draft. Two
more recent Alexander draftees, left guard Eric Steinbach
and left tackle Levi Jones, also had fine years as starters
in ’05. Steinbach was voted a first alternate to the AFC Pro
Bowl team, and Jones was a second alternate.
Also last season, the Bengals line helped HB Rudi
Johnson set a team rushing record for the second straight
STAFF
PAUL ALEXANDER — Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line
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BOB BRATKOWSKI — Offensive Coordinator
Bob Bratkowski is in
his sixth season as Bengals
offensive coordinator, coming off a 2005 campaign
that saw record-breaking
performances from QB
Carson Palmer, WR Chad
Johnson and HB Rudi
Johnson.
The ’05 Bengals finished fourth in the NFL in
scoring (26.3 per game), and their 421 total points ranked
tied for third in franchise history.
The offensive line also claimed a record-breaking year,
allowing the fewest total sacks (21) and sacks per game
(1.3) in team history.
And though the defense’s takeaways got most of the
fanfare as the Bengals posted an NFL-leading turnover
differential of plus-24, there was nothing shabby about
the offense’s contribution to the record effort. The Bengals
lost the fewest fumbles (6) of any team in club history,
and the unit’s 20 total giveaways tied the team mark for
fewest in a year. The team’s fumbles-lost total led the
NFL in 2005, and the total giveaway number ranked fifth
in the league.
The offense claimed three of the five Bengals voted
to the Pro Bowl. OT Willie Anderson joined Palmer and
Chad Johnson on the AFC all-star squad.
Palmer set Bengals records in 2005 for TD passes
(32), passer rating (101.1), completions (345) and TDINT differential (plus-20 at 32-12). He led the NFL in
scoring throws and in TD-INT differential, and he was
second in passer rating. Rudi Johnson broke his own
Bengals record by rushing for 1458 yards, making it
four times in Bratkowski’s five seasons that a Bengals
rusher has topped the 1300 mark. Johnson also scored
12 rushing TDs for a second straight year, becoming
the first Bengal to score rushing TDs in double figures
in consecutive years.
Chad Johnson became the first Bengal to claim a
dual AFC title in receptions (97) and receiving yards
(Bengals-record 1432). He won his third straight AFC
yards title, finishing 286 yards ahead of second-place
Marvin Harrison of Indianapolis.
The development of Palmer as the team’s offensive
leader was the hallmark of the offensive coaching staff’s
season. Bratkowski was the mastermind behind a resurgence of no-huddle schemes that Palmer executed,
pressuring defenses and firing up the home crowd.
“I love the no-huddle, and we love it as an offense,” said Palmer. “Our coaches have done a great
job designing it.”
Bratkowski has steadily built the Cincinnati offense
since joining the Bengals in 2001. In just his first campaign, the offense showed significant improvement over
2000 in points (226-185), first downs (294-254), total
yards (4800-4260) and passing yards (3088-1946). By
2004, the Bengals had improved to 10th in the NFL in
scoring (23.4), at the time their highest figure in 15 years.
It set the stage for the breakthroughs the team had in ’05
as it captured the AFC North Division title.
Bratkowski (pronounced “brat-COW-skee”) has been
an NFL coach since 1992, and he was coordinator of the
University of Miami’s NCAA champion offenses in ’89 and
’91. He entered the NFL ranks in 1992 at Seattle, and was
with the Seahawks through ’98. He spent the 1999 and
2000 seasons as wide receivers coach with the Pittsburgh
Steelers before joining the Bengals in ’01.
At Seattle in 1997, he was coordinator for the NFL’s top
passing offense (247.4 yards per game). The team ranked
third in the NFL in total offense. Seattle also established
club season records in ’97 for most yards passing (4187)
and completions (359). The Seahawks were second in the
NFL in first downs (331).
Prior to his 1992 hiring by Seattle, Bratkowski spent
14 years as a college coach, including offensive coordinator assignments at Weber State, Wyoming, Washington
State and Miami (Fla.).
As a college player, Bratkowski was a three-year
letterman as a wide receiver at Washington State. His
father, Zeke, played quarterback for 14 seasons in the NFL
(with the Bears, Rams and Packers).
Bratkowski was born Dec. 2, 1955, in San Angelo,
Texas. Bob and his wife, Rebecca, have two children
— son Shane and daughter Courtney.
PLAYING AND COACHING HISTORY — 197577: Played wide receiver at Washington State. 1978-80:
Assistant coach (AC), Missouri. 1981-85: Offensive
coordinator, Weber State. 1986: Offensive coordinator,
Wyoming. 1987-88: Offensive coordinator, Washington State. 1989-91: Offensive coordinator, Miami
(Fla.). 1992-94: AC, Seattle Seahawks. 1995-98:
Offensive coordinator, Seattle Seahawks. 1999-2000:
AC, Pittsburgh Steelers. 2001-present: Offensive
coordinator, Bengals.
STADIUM , NFL & MEDIA
BENGALS QBs AS LEAGUE MVPs
Two Bengals, both quarterbacks from the club’s Super Bowl teams, have been named by nationwide panels
of media as winners of the Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player Award.
Ken Anderson was the winner in 1981, leading the NFL with a 98.4 passer rating. He completed 300 of
479 passes (62.6%) for 3754 yards, with a then-club record 29 TD passes against 10 interceptions.
Boomer Esiason was the 1988 winner, leading the league with a 97.4 rating and tying for the AFC lead
in TDs with 28. He completed 223 of 388 passes (57.5%) for 3572 yards, with 14 interceptions.
Both QBs led their teams to 12-4 records in the regular season.
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STAFF
CHUCK BRESNAHAN — Defensive Coordinator
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ONE MORE MAKES 10,000
The Bengals’ first regular-season pass completion in the 2006 season will be the 10,000th in franchise
history.
From 1968-2005 (in regular-season games), the Bengals completed 9,999 passes in 17,569 attempts
(56.9%) for 121,253 yards with 729 TDs and 618 INTs.
2006 DRAFT CHOICES
PLAYING AND COACHING HISTORY — 197982: Played LB at U.S. Naval Academy. 1983: Graduate
assistant coach, Navy. 1986: Assistant coach (AC),
Navy. 1987-91: AC, Georgia Tech. 1992-93: Defensive
coordinator/LBs coach, Maine. 1994-95: AC, Cleveland
Browns. 1996-97: AC, Indianapolis Colts. 1998-99:
AC, Oakland Raiders. 2000-03: Defensive coordinator,
Oakland Raiders. 2004: Joins Bengals as assistant coach.
2005-present: Defensive coordinator, Bengals.
VETERANS
Raiders won AFC West titles in his first three seasons as
coordinator, and his 2002 defense helped carry Oakland to
the AFC Championship and a berth in Super Bowl XXXVII
against Tampa Bay.
Bresnahan’s 2002 Oakland defense ranked second in
the AFC in fewest points allowed (304) and third in the
NFL against the run (90.8 yards allowed per game). In the
2000 season, Bresnahan and Marvin Lewis were opposing
defensive coordinators in the AFC Championship game,
with Lewis’ Baltimore Ravens advancing to an eventual
victory in Super Bowl XXXV.
Bresnahan got his NFL start coaching linebackers
at Cleveland from 1994-95, and he also was linebackers
coach during two seasons (’96-97) with the Indianapolis
Colts.
He played linebacker at Navy from 1979-82, and from
’84-86, he was a commissioned officer in the Navy at the
Adak (Alaska) Naval Air Station, where he was a supply
and nuclear weapons safety officer.
Prior to his 1983 assignment to military duty,
Bresnahan got his start in coaching as a graduate assistant
at Navy. He completed his military duty in time to return
to Navy for the 1986 football season as wide receivers
and tight ends coach.
From 1987-91, he was an assistant at Georgia Tech,
handling tight ends in his first season and then switching to inside linebackers. He was LBs coach for the 1990
Georgia Tech team that won national championship honors
with an 11-0-1 record.
In his last two college seasons (1992-93), he was
defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at the
University of Maine.
Bresnahan was raised in a football family. His father,
Tom, has been a coach at various levels for more than
40 years, spending 16 seasons in NFL jobs and going
to four Super Bowls (XXV through XXVIII) with the
Buffalo Bills.
Bresnahan was born Sept. 8, 1960. His hometown
is Springfield, Mass. He and his wife, Erin, have four
daughters — Megan, Caitlin, Caroline and Danielle.
ROSTERS
Chuck Bresnahan is
in his third season on
the Bengals coaching
staff, and in his second
year as the team’s defensive coordinator. In
his first season in the
coordinator’s post, the
Bengals were the NFL’s
takeaway leaders as they
captured the AFC North
championship with an 11-5 record.
With 44 takeaways (31 interceptions and 13 fumble
recoveries), the Bengals tied the franchise season record
as well as leading the NFL. Cincinnati was the runaway
league leader in interceptions, as its 31 total was 7 better
than the next closest teams, Minnesota and Chicago
with 24.
The Bengals had an eye-popping 16 takeaways in the
first three games (all victories), fueling the club’s fast start
and setting a three-game franchise record.
The Bengals also led the NFL in 2005 in points off
turnovers (153) — that category including points scored
on the possession following a turnover, as well as points
scored directly by turnover.
CB Deltha O’Neal continued his development under
the defensive staff, completing one of the NFL’s better
“comeback player” stories in recent years. A Pro Bowl
player in 2001 at Denver, O’Neal fell out of favor with the
Broncos and was reduced to a reserve role by 2003, but
he came to the Bengals in a 2004 trade. And in ’05, he tied
for the NFL lead with a Bengals-record 10 INTs.
CB Tory James, veteran leader of the Bengals secondary, said Bresnahan brought the players a defensive
scheme that is effective yet easy to comprehend.
“Chuck is a great teacher,” said James, who had 5
INTs last year and was a first alternate to the Pro Bowl.
“He breaks things down extremely well. He makes it easy
to know your job. And he’s intense. You can’t help but get
caught up in his enthusiasm.”
Bresnahan (pronounced “BREZ-nuh-han”) joined the
Bengals in 2004 as an assistant coach, and was promoted
to the coordinator’s position on Jan. 19, 2005. He has
been an NFL coach since 1994, spending two seasons
with Cleveland and two with Indianapolis before moving
to Oakland in ’98.
He was defensive backs coach for the Raiders in 1998
and ’99, helping coach CB Charles Woodson to the Pro
Bowl in Woodson’s first two pro seasons. He took over
as Raiders defensive coordinator from 2000-03. The
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STAFF
ROSTERS
VETERANS
2006 DRAFT CHOICES
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HISTORY
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STADIUM , NFL & MEDIA
JIM ANDERSON — Running Backs
Jim Anderson is in his
23rd year on the Bengals
coaching staff. He has
coached a long line of
Bengals running backs to
outstanding performances,
with five earning spots in
the Pro Bowl.
HB Rudi Johnson became No. 5 on Anderson’s
Pro Bowl list in 2004,
when he set a club rushing record with 1454 yards. And
though Johnson did not make the Pro Bowl in 2005 (voted
a first alternate), his statistics were better than in ’04. He
broke his own club mark with 1458 yards, and he improved
his per-carry average from 4.0 to 4.3.
Johnson had a quiet start to his Bengals career, playing in only nine games with 17 rushing attempts during
his first two seasons. But Anderson had him properly
groomed when his opportunity came, and after breaking
through with 957 yards as a part-time starter in 2003,
Johnson replaced the traded Corey Dillon in ’04 and
surpassed the Bengals-record 1435 yards that Dillon
had posted in 2000.
Also last season, Anderson oversaw markedly improved production from HB Chris Perry, Cincinnati’s top
choice in the 2004 NFL Draft. Perry played only two games
as a rookie due to injuries, but in ’05, he developed into a
dangerous dual threat, averaging 4.6 yards per rush (61279) and leading the RBs in receptions (51) and receiving
yards (328). Had Perry not missed two late-season games
and part of third due to an ankle injury, he almost surely
would have broken James Brooks’ Bengals record for
receptions in a season by a running back (55).
Thirteen of the 15 performances of 1000 or more
rushing yards in a season by Bengals backs have come
under Anderson’s tutelage, including the top 10. The top
five totals, all of 1300 yards or more, have come in the
last six years.
In addition to Dillon (three Pro Bowls) and Johnson
(one), Anderson’s other Pro Bowl backs in Cincinnati have
been James Brooks (four times), Harold Green (once) and
Lorenzo Neal (once).
Anderson has also overseen the development of
Jeremi Johnson, a fourth-round draft pick who has been
Cincinnati’s No. 1 fullback since joining the club in 2003.
Anderson began his Bengals work in the mid-1980s
with Brooks, who went on to reign for 11 years after
leaving the team as its all-time leading rusher. During the 1997-2003 seasons, Anderson guided Dillon
beyond Brooks’ totals to all-time team records that still
stand in rushing yards (8061) and yards from scrimmage (9543).
Anderson also is the position coach behind the
second-greatest rushing game in NFL history — Dillon’s
278-yard effort on Oct. 22, 2000 vs. Denver.
In addition, Anderson coached Ickey Woods, who was
a league-wide sensation as a rookie in 1988 before having
his career derailed by an ’89 knee injury.
Anderson’s coaching excellence was recognized
following the 2001 season when he made the list of
candidates interviewed for the Stanford University head
coaching job. Anderson was on the Stanford coaching
staff from 1980-83.
Anderson is the all-time dean of Bengals position
coaches in years of service, and among current NFL
position coaches, only Pittsburgh’s Dick Hoak has more
years with his team (35) than Anderson’s 23. Anderson
joined the Bengals in 1984 after six seasons coaching in
the major college ranks.
Anderson’s troops won NFL rushing titles in 1988 and
’89, and won the AFC rushing crown in ’86. From 198690, the Bengals finished 2-4-1-1-5 in league rushing.
Other NFL top 10 rushing finishes by the Bengals during
Anderson’s tenure include eighth in 1992, ninth in ’97,
tied for sixth in ’99 and second in 2000.
Anderson was born March 27, 1948, in Harrisburg, Pa.
He graduated from Cal Western with a degree in physical
education, and has a lifetime teaching certificate in California. Jim and his wife, Marcia, have a son, Derek.
PLAYING AND COACHING HISTORY — 196769: Linebacker-def. end at Cal Western (U.S. International). 1970-71: Assistant coach (AC), Cal Western.
1973: AC, Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College.
1974-75: AC, Nevada-Las Vegas. 1976-79: AC,
Southern Methodist. 1980-83: AC, Stanford. 1984present: AC, Bengals.
SIGISMONDO CIOFFI — Assistant Defensive Backs
Sigismondo “Louie”
Cioffi is in his 10th season
on the Bengals coaching
staff. Since 2003 he has
been assistant defensive
backs coach, teaming with
defensive backs coach
Kevin Coyle to work with
the largest position group
on the team — the cornerbacks and safeties.
Cioffi (pronounced “CHO-fee”) is only 32 years old as
he enters the 2006 season, an age at which few coaches
have amassed his level of NFL experience. He was defensive staff assistant for his first six Bengals campaigns.
In addition to handling much of the preparation work
for the entire defense on the upcoming week’s opponent,
Cioffi works most often with the safeties.
“When we break down into smaller groups for more
individual attention, I’ll usually take the corners and Louie
takes the safeties,” Coyle said. “He does an outstanding
job with that group.”
Cioffi’s work with S Madieu Williams, a 2004 secondround draft pick from Maryland, helped Williams have the
most impressive season of any Bengals rookie in ’04.
But the safety corps suffered a big blow last season
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ROSTERS
VETERANS
2006 DRAFT CHOICES
in 1994 in a similar role.
Cioffi was wide receivers coach at C.W. Post
University in Brookville, N.Y. in 1995 and ’96. The
1996 team won the ECAC Division II championship. In
addition to his on-field responsibilities at C.W. Post,
Cioffi prepared computer game analyses and scouting
reports. He did all the computer work at Post for the
offense and defense.
Bruce Coslet’s first full year as Bengals head coach
was 1997, and he brought Cioffi to Cincinnati in a Bengals
staff reorganization. Cioffi was charged with supervising
the weekly distribution of information on how to attack the
upcoming opponent’s offense, and he also worked on the
field, assisting in the coaching of defensive backs. Cioffi
later worked under Bengals head coach Dick LeBeau, and
was involved in coaching linebackers while continuing
with his game preparation responsibilities.
Cioffi was born Sept. 21, 1973, in Queens, N.Y. His
wife’s name is Cindy. They have a daughter, Cecilia Elle,
and a son, Sigismondo Connor.
COACHING HISTORY — 1993-94: Coaching
assistant, New York Jets. 1995-96: Assistant coach (AC),
C.W. Post. 1997-present: AC, Bengals.
STAFF
when Williams was lost for the year due to a late-September shoulder injury. The coaching staff compensated
by moving starting SS Kevin Kaesviharn to Williams’ FS
spot, with Ifeanyi Ohalete moving into the SS role. Both
responded with solid seasons, contributing to an overall
secondary effort that saw the DBs snag 23 of Cincinnati’s
NFL-leading 31 interceptions.
Kaesviharn’s continued development was a particular
plus last season. The fifth-year pro fully blossomed after
a late NFL start that had seen him debut as a 25-year-old
NFL rookie with the Bengals in 2001. Kaesviharn started
every game for the first time in his career, and tied for
fourth on the team in tackles (92) while snagging 3 INTs
and a team-leading 3 fumble recoveries.
Cioffi took on the job of Bengals defensive staff
assistant in 1997 at age 23, and during the first three
seasons of his Cincinnati career, he was the youngest
full-time assistant coach in the NFL.
Cioffi’s association with the NFL dates even farther
back. In 1993, he was a 20-year-old coaching assistant to
Bruce Coslet’s staff on the N.Y. Jets. His responsibilities
then included assembling play books and running video
printers on game days. Cioffi also worked with the Jets
KEVIN COYLE — Defensive Backs
2005 REVIEW
HISTORY
RECORDS
STADIUM , NFL & MEDIA
fully blossomed after a late NFL start that saw him debut as
a 25-year-old NFL rookie with the 2001 Bengals. Kaesviharn
started every game for the first time in his career, and tied
for fourth on the team in tackles (92) while snagging 3 INTs
and a team-leading 3 fumble recoveries.
The Bengals had three games in 2005 with 5 interceptions, becoming the first NFL team in 35 years to do it
three times in a season, and Coyle’s DBs group had 12
of the 15 picks in the three contests.
This is Coyle’s 30th year in coaching. He began in 1978
as a graduate assistant at the University of Cincinnati. In his
last 10 seasons before joining the Bengals, he was defensive
coordinator and secondary coach at three Division I college
programs — Syracuse, Maryland and Fresno State.
At Fresno State (1997-2000), Coyle’s defenses
produced three first team All-Western Athletic Conference
players in both ’99 and ’00, best in the league both years.
In 1998, the FSU defense set a school-record low with
only 23 touchdowns allowed.
At Maryland (1994-96), Coyle oversaw a dramatic
improvement in the Terrapins’ defense, steadily guiding
a program that had struggled prior to his arrival to a final
total defense ranking of No. 29 nationally in ’96.
At Syracuse (1991-93), Coyle’s defense led the nation
in interceptions (24) in ’92 and set a school record for fewest
rushing yards allowed (1007) in an 11-game season.
Coyle was at Holy Cross from 1982-90, first serving as
outside linebackers coach before being promoted to defensive coordinator in ’86. During his five years as coordinator,
Holy Cross was the winningest (49-5-1) Division I-AA team
in the nation, with the Crusader defense ranked in the top
10 nationally in scoring defense four times. Coyle coached
five All-Americans at Holy Cross.
Six players from Coyle’s Fresno State defenses went
on to play in the NFL, including three defensive backs. At
Maryland, Coyle coached future NFL cornerbacks Chad
COLLEGE FREE AGENTS
Kevin Coyle returns
for his sixth season on the
Bengals coaching staff in
2006. He is in his fourth
year as defensive backs
coach, after serving as
cornerbacks coach in 2001
and ’02.
Cincinnati’s defensive
secondary had a notably
productive year in 2005,
despite suffering the early loss to injury of FS Madieu
Williams, one of the team’s best players.
The Bengals led the NFL in interceptions with 31 (3
short of the team’s all-time record), and the defensive backs
accounted for 23 of the 31 thefts. Cincinnati also led the
NFL in total takeaways (44), and over the last two years, the
Bengals have led the NFL with 80 takeaways and 51 INTs.
Last season, 10 of Cincinnati’s interceptions were by
CB Deltha O’Neal, whose total tied for the NFL individual
lead and set a Bengals record, breaking Ken Riley’s mark
of 9 from 1976.
Under Coyle’s direction, O’Neal continued what ranks
as one of the NFL’s better “comeback player” stories in
recent years. A Pro Bowl player in 2001 at Denver, O’Neal
fell out of favor with the Broncos and was reduced to a
reserve role by 2003, but he came to the Bengals in a 2004
trade. He had a solid 2004 season while rebuilding some
lost confidence, and he earned a trip to the Pro Bowl with
his record-setting play in 2005.
Veteran CB Tory James had another solid year as a
Bengals starter in ’05, intercepting 5 passes and earning
first-alternate Pro Bowl status. The previous year, Jones
made the Pro Bowl after finishing second in the NFL
with 8 INTs.
At safety last year, fifth-year player Kevin Kaesviharn
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STAFF
Scott and Lewis Sanders. At Syracuse, he coached future
NFL standout safety Donovin Darius.
Coyle was born Jan. 14, 1956, in Staten Island, N.Y.
He and his wife, Louise, have a daughter, Jenlain.
ROSTERS
PLAYING AND COACHING HISTORY — 197475: Played DB at Massachusetts. 1978-79: Graduate
assistant, Univ. of Cincinnati. 1980: Coaching assistant,
Arkansas. 1981: Defensive coordinator, U.S. Merchant
Marine Academy. 1982-85: Assistant coach (AC), Holy
Cross. 1986-90: Defensive coordinator, Holy Cross.
1991-93: Defensive coordinator, Syracuse. 1994-96:
Defensive coordinator, Maryland. 1997-2000: Defensive
coordinator, Fresno State. 2001-present: AC, Bengals.
STADIUM , NFL & MEDIA
RECORDS
HISTORY
2005 REVIEW
COLLEGE FREE AGENTS
2006 DRAFT CHOICES
VETERANS
PAUL GUENTHER – Asst. Special Teams/Linebackers Asst.
Paul Guenther takes
on a new title in 2006, as
assistant special teams/
linebackers assistant
coach.
Guenther worked his
first season as a coaching staff member in 2005,
filling the role of staff assistant. But he was also
a familiar face in Bengals
football operations in 2004, when he worked on a consultant
basis as an advance scout.
In 2005, Guenther worked closely with rookie Tab
Perry on special teams play, and helped make Perry
arguably the top overall performer on the special units.
By wide margins, Perry set franchise records for kickoff
returns (64) and kickoff return yards (1562) in a season,
and he ranked fourth on the club in special teams tackles
(16), just two off the lead.
Guenther (pronounced “GUN-thur”) was offensive
assistant on the Washington Redskins staff from 200203. Marvin Lewis was one of his associates in 2002,
serving as assistant head coach/defensive coordinator
of the Redskins.
Guenther also worked closely at Washington with Hue
Jackson, who was Redskins offensive coordinator before
joining the Cincinnati coaching staff. Guenther’s primary po-
sition assignment with the Redskins was running backs.
From 1997-2000, Guenther was head coach at
Ursinus College, an NCAA Division III school in Collegeville, Pa. He was the youngest head coach in college
football in ’97, at age 25, and he led the team to the playoffs
in ’99 and 2000.
His 1999 team finished 10-2, advancing to the second
round of the playoffs. The 10 wins was a school record,
and the team broke nearly every offensive and defensive
mark in the Ursinus record book.
Guenther began his coaching career from 1994-95 at
Western Maryland. He was an assistant at Ursinus in 1996,
moved to Jacksonville University as defensive coordinator
in ’97, and returned to Ursinus that same year.
Guenther was born Nov. 22, 1971. His hometown is
Richboro, Pa. He played LB in college at Ursinus, setting
a school career tackles record (355) while three times
earning all-conference honors.
He received his undergraduate degree in communications from Ursinus in 1994, and a master’s degree in sports
administration from Western Maryland in ’97.
PLAYING AND COACHING HISTORY—199093: Played LB at Ursinus College. 1994-95: Assistant
coach (AC), Western Maryland. 1996: AC, Ursinus.
1997: Defensive coordinator, Jacksonville Univ. 19972001: Head coach, Ursinus. 2002-03: AC, Washington
Redskins. 2005-present: AC, Bengals.
JAY HAYES — Defensive Line
Jay Hayes, an 18-year
veteran of major college
and NFL coaching, is in his
fourth season as Bengals
defensive line coach. A
former defensive lineman
himself at the college and
pro levels, Hayes in 2005
oversaw a Bengals line that
displayed improved depth
while aiding the team’s
drive to the AFC North Division championship.
Hayes made significant use of eight players, helping
to keep all personnel fresh. The starting base lineup of DEs
Justin Smith and Robert Geathers and DTs Bryan Robinson
and John Thornton was supported by four others making
notable contributions. Veterans Duane Clemons and Carl
Powell joined second-year player Shaun Smith in the
rotation, and though first-round draft pick David Pollack
carried the position tag of linebacker, he played a DE spot
on passing downs.
“It was probably the least amount of snaps I’ve played
in my whole career, but I’m not complaining,” said DT
Robinson, a 2005 unrestricted free agent signee with
experience at St. Louis, Chicago and Miami. “Whatever
it is, it’s worked. I’m not so much into myself where I need
to ask for 90 reps.”
The talent pool allowed Hayes plenty of options for customized line combinations as game situations dictated.
“It’s my job to pick somebody to get a spark, so we
can have the chemistry and keep it running hot,” Hayes
says. “We want to stay getting after people and not let them
find room to breathe. If we can continue doing that, we’ve
got a chance to continue being successful.”
Hayes came to the Bengals from the Minnesota
Vikings, where he was special teams coach in 2002. The
‘02 Vikings tied for fifth in the NFL in punt coverage,
allowing only 6.2 yards per return.
Hayes was special teams coach for the Pittsburgh
Steelers from 1999-2001. In 1999 under Hayes’ direction,
Steelers rookie kicker Kris Brown set an NFL record for most
consecutive field goals made to start a career (13).
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HISTORY
RECORDS
STADIUM , NFL & MEDIA
PLAYING AND COACHING HISTORY — 198184: Played linebacker and tight end at Iowa. 1985-93:
NFL tight end, Kansas City Chiefs. 1994-96: NFL tight
end, Pittsburgh Steelers. 1999-2002: Assistant coach
(AC), Univ. of Oklahoma. 2003-present: AC, Bengals.
2005 REVIEW
an Orange Bowl win over Florida State for the NCAA
championship.
Oklahoma was 37-4 over Hayes’ last three seasons.
Under Hayes’ tutelage, tight end Trent Smith finished
his Oklahoma career in 2002 as the school’s No. 2 alltime receiver, with 148 catches. Also in 2002, Sooners
special teams blocked 7 kicks (3 FGs, 4 punts), and punt
returner Antonio Perkins returned 3 punts for touchdowns.
Hayes’ kick coverage teams were also outstanding in ’02,
allowing only 6.6 yards per punt return and 17.8 yards
per kickoff return.
Hayes began his NFL playing career in 1985 as a
second-round draft pick out of Iowa with the Kansas City
Chiefs. He played for the Chiefs through 1993, serving as a
team captain, and closed his NFL career with three seasons
in Pittsburgh (’94-96). He had 153 career receptions for
1718 yards with 13 TDs. He had career highs in receptions
(24) and yards (331) with Kansas City in 1993.
Hayes saw action in 184 NFL games with 122 starts,
and he played all 16 games in each of his final six seasons.
He played in three AFC Championship games, in 1993
with Kansas City and in ’94 and ’95 with Pittsburgh. In the
1995 season, he played in Super Bowl XXX for Pittsburgh
vs. Dallas.
At the University of Iowa, Hayes switched to tight end
as a junior after spending his first two seasons at linebacker.
He earned first-team All-America honors as a senior and
was a team captain. He finished his college career with 50
receptions for 602 yards and 5 TDs. In 1986, he completed
work at Iowa on a degree in general studies.
Hayes’ older brother, Jay, is Bengals defensive line
coach.
Hayes’ hometown is South Fayette, Pa. He attended
South Fayette High School. He and his wife have three
children.
COLLEGE FREE AGENTS
Jonathan Hayes, an
NFL tight end for 12 seasons, returns for his fourth
season on the Bengals
coaching staff in 2006.
Utilizing all three of his
veteran players — Reggie
Kelly, Matt Schobel and
Tony Stewart — Hayes
has worked the past two
seasons to augment a
passing game dominated on the receiving end by wideouts
Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Johnson and
Houshmandzadeh set Bengals records last season for
catches (175) and yards (2388) by a receiving duo. The
tight ends themselves combined for 37 catches for 309
yards and 2 touchdowns, and all the above numbers fit
head coach Marvin Lewis’ expectations.
“There is only one football,” Lewis says, “and the
fact is, when you see teams with big receiving numbers
for their tight ends, they are teams that are not able to
get the ball to the wideouts like we have been able to do.
One reason our wideouts produce as they do is because
our tight ends are out there doing their jobs in areas the
fans may not see.”
The tight ends played a role in the Bengals allowing
a team-record low 21 sacks in 2005, and their blocking
helped HB Rudi Johnson rush for a team-record 1458
yards, breaking the mark of 1454 he had set in ’04. The
Bengals finished fourth in the NFL in scoring (26.3 points
per game) as they captured the AFC North Division title.
In 2003, Hayes’ first Bengals season, the offense
did not have as much production from the WR and HB
spots, and in that year, the tight ends had 58 catches for
625 yards, the Bengals’ best receiving numbers for the
position since 1995.
Hayes made his NFL coaching debut with the Bengals
after four years (1999-2002) at the University of Oklahoma
as tight ends coach and special teams coordinator.
He helped the Sooners to a four-year record of
44-9, including a 13-0 mark in 2000 which featured
2006 DRAFT CHOICES
JONATHAN HAYES — Tight Ends
VETERANS
PLAYING AND COACHING HISTORY — 197881: Played defensive end at Univ. of Idaho. 1984:
Defensive end, Michigan Panthers (USFL). 1985:
Defensive end, Memphis Showboats (USFL). 198891: Assistant coach (AC), Notre Dame. 1992-94: AC,
California. 1995-98: AC, Wisconsin. 1999-2001:
AC, Pittsburgh Steelers. 2002: AC, Minnesota Vikings.
2003-present: AC, Bengals.
ROSTERS
Idaho and earned all-conference honors in 1980 and ’81.
He spent some time in NFL camps before moving on to
play for the USFL Michigan Panthers in 1984 and for the
Memphis Showboats in ’85.
Hayes’ younger brother, Jonathan, is Bengals tight
ends coach.
Hayes was born March 3, 1960 in Pittsburgh, and
attended South Fayette High School. He and his wife
have three children.
STAFF
Before entering the NFL coaching ranks with the
Steelers, Hayes coached 11 years at the major college
level, splitting his time between Notre Dame, California
and Wisconsin.
He began his coaching career in 1988 as a graduate
assistant at Notre Dame, and for the next three seasons,
he coached outside linebackers and special teams for the
Irish. He moved to California as outside linebackers coach
in 1992, and he also held that job in ’93 before adding
special teams responsibilities in ’94.
Hayes’ last college assignment before entering the
NFL was from 1995-98 at Wisconsin, where he was outside linebackers and special teams coach. Hayes’ Badgers
were consistently among the top special teams units in
the Big Ten. During his tenure, the Badgers recorded two
of the longest plays in school history, an NCAA-record
60-yard field goal and a 100-yard kickoff return.
Hayes played defensive end at the University of
— 11 —
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STAFF
ROSTERS
VETERANS
2006 DRAFT CHOICES
COLLEGE FREE AGENTS
2005 REVIEW
HISTORY
RICKY HUNLEY — Linebackers
Ricky Hunley is in his
fourth season as Bengals
linebackers coach. A former All-American college
linebacker, he played seven seasons in the NFL and
was a starting linebacker in
two Super Bowls.
In 2005, Hunley provided the hands-on coaching push that helped lead
to a standout rookie season by MLB Odell Thurman, the
club’s second-round draft pick. Thurman had a team-leading 148 tackles, 46 ahead of the second-place player, and
he also led all NFL rookies in interceptions (5).
Another LB, veteran Brian Simmons, was No. 2 on
the team in tackles with 102. Thurman and Simmons tied
for the team lead in forced fumbles (4), and Simmons
had a pair of interceptions. Together, Thurman and Simmons made sure the LB corps was a key contributor to
Cincinnati’s NFL-leading total of 44 takeaways,
Another Hunley charge in 2005 was first-round draft
pick David Pollack. A late contract signing slowed Pollack’s
early-season development, but he ranked second on the
team in sacks (4.5), with another sack in the postseason.
The LB corps also boasted the team’s No. 3 tackler in
Landon Johnson, who had 99. As an unheralded third-round
draftee in 2004, Johnson blossomed under Hunley and
claimed the team tackling title at 133.
Hunley has an association with Bengals head coach
Marvin Lewis that dates from the early 1990s. At that time,
as a college coach, Hunley did a stint with the Pittsburgh
Steelers in the NFL’s minority intern coaching program.
Lewis was on the Steelers staff from 1992-95.
Hunley and Lewis connected again in 2002. Hunley
was defensive line coach for the Washington Redskins,
with Lewis serving as his defensive coordinator. When
Lewis took the Bengals head coaching job in 2003, he
made Hunley one of his first staff hires.
Hunley’s coaching talent was recognized in 2003,
when the University of Arizona — his alma mater — had
him as a finalist for its head coach position.
With the Bengals, Hunley has “returned” to the team
that drafted him as a player in 1984. A two-time consensus
All-American linebacker at Arizona, Hunley was Cincinnati’s
first pick in the ’84 NFL Draft. But he never signed with the
Bengals, and when contract negotiations remained stalled
into September, the team traded his rights to Denver.
Hunley played four seasons (1984-87) for the Broncos,
and was a starter at right inside linebacker for Denver in
Super Bowls XXI and XXII. He also played for the Phoenix
Cardinals (1988) and the Los Angeles Raiders (’89-90).
His college playing career at Arizona earned him induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1997.
He got his start in coaching as a graduate assistant at
Southern California (1992-93), after which he spent seven
seasons at the University of Missouri, including 1998-2000
as associate head coach/linebackers coach. In 2001, he
joined head coach Steve Spurrier’s staff at the University of
Florida, overseeing the defensive line. He moved with Spurrier in 2002, when Spurrier became Redskins head coach.
Hunley was born Nov. 11, 1961 in Petersburg, Va.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration
from Arizona in 1987. In 1988, he was voted Executive
Vice-President of the NFL Players Association, a position
he held for two years. He has also served on the Board
of Directors for the Black Coaches Association and on
the Minority Issues Committee of the American Football
Coaches Association, and he has represented the Big 12
and the SEC on the AFCA’s Assistant Coach Committee.
In 2004, Hunley was selected by the Bengals to
participate in the NFL-Stanford University Executive
Education Program for Managers.
He is married, with two children.
PLAYING AND COACHING HISTORY — 198083: Played linebacker at Univ. of Arizona. 1984-87:
Linebacker, Denver Broncos. 1988: Linebacker, Phoenix
Cardinals. 1989-90: Linebacker, Los Angeles Raiders.
1992-93: Graduate assistant, Univ. of Southern California. 1994-97: Assistant coach (AC), Univ. of Missouri.
1998-2000: Assistant head coach/linebackers coach,
Univ. of Missouri. 2001: AC, Florida. 2002: AC, Washington Redskins. 2003-present: AC, Bengals.
STADIUM , NFL & MEDIA
RECORDS
HUE JACKSON — Wide Receivers
Hue Jackson is in his
third season as Bengals
wide receivers coach, coming off a 2005 campaign
during which outstanding
wideout production helped
the Bengals capture the
AFC North Division championship.
During the last two
seasons, Jackson has directed WRs Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh to
status as the most productive receiving duo in Bengals
history. The 2004 campaign saw them post the most yards
(2252) and second-most catches (168) in a season by a
Cincinnati wide receiving pair, and in 2005, they reset their
yards mark at 2388 while also making the most catches
ever (175) by two players.
Johnson in 2005 won his third straight AFC receiving
yards title with a Bengals-record 1432 yards, 286 more
than the AFC’s second-place player. Johnson’s 97 catches
were a career-high, besting the previous career high of 95
he had posted under Jackson in 2004.
Though the Bengals have yet to log a season with
a pair of 1000-yard receivers, they have made their two
closest runs at that goal under Jackson. Houshmandzadeh
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HISTORY
RECORDS
STADIUM , NFL & MEDIA
COACHING HISTORY — 1985-86: Assistant
strength and conditioning (S/C) coach, Ohio State. 198791: Assistant S/C coach, Penn State. 1992-94: Assistant
S/C coach, San Diego Chargers. 1995-98: Head S/C coach,
Carolina Panthers. 1999-2001: Assistant S/C coach,
Baltimore Ravens. 2002: Head S/C coach, Washington
Redskins. 2003-present: Head S/C coach, Bengals.
2005 REVIEW
in the previous six.
Morton and his staff design and implement a comprehensive and progressive year-round training program.
Each year, new ideas and technology are introduced to the
program, which is built upon a foundation of basic training
principles with an emphasis on effort and accountability.
“The effect the strength and conditioning program has
had should not be underestimated,” said Bengals head
coach Marvin Lewis. “It comes from Chip’s direction, and
from the effort and diligence of our players. It’s continuing
today, tomorrow and every day.
“From an endurance standpoint,” Lewis continued,
“you just know we’re going to be OK, and it’s important for
our guys to have that feeling. We know we can think with a
clear head at the end of the game. We won’t make a critical
error because we are fatigued. We can make the positive play
because we are in the right spot and we know what we’re
doing, and we’re playing faster than the other side.”
Morton was a coaching colleague of Lewis with the
Baltimore Ravens from 1999-2001, serving as Ravens
assistant strength and conditioning coach, and he was
with Lewis in ’02 at Washington, serving as head strength
and conditioning coach for the Redskins.
Morton is in his 15th NFL season, having also served
as strength and conditioning assistant at San Diego from
1992-94 and as head strength and conditioning coach at
Carolina from ’95-98.
Morton has worked with two Super Bowl teams, the
1994 Chargers and the 2000 Ravens. He started his career
in the collegiate ranks, serving as assistant strength coach
at Ohio State (1985-86) while completing his master’s
degree in physical education. He moved to Penn State in
1987 as the first-ever full-time strength and conditioning
assistant for the Nittany Lions football team. He also
worked with 14 other men’s and women’s sports during
his five years (1987-91) at Penn State.
Morton’s hometown is Hamden, Conn. He graduated
from the University of North Carolina in 1985 with a degree
in zoology, and he earned a varsity letter in swimming.
COLLEGE FREE AGENTS
Chip Morton is in his
fourth season as Bengals
strength and conditioning coach, following three
seasons during which his
program has been considered a major factor in the
team’s marked improvement. The Bengals have
won more games in the past
three seasons than they did
2006 DRAFT CHOICES
CHIP MORTON — Strength & Conditioning
VETERANS
PLAYING AND COACHING HISTORY — 198586: Played quarterback at Univ. of the Pacific. 1987-89:
Assistant coach (AC), Univ. of the Pacific. 1990-91: AC,
Cal State-Fullerton. 1991: AC, London Monarchs (World
League). 1992-95: AC, Arizona State. 1996: Offensive
coordinator, California. 1997-2000: Offensive coordinator, Southern California. 2001-02: AC, Washington
Redskins. 2003: Offensive coordinator, Washington
Redskins. 2004-present: AC, Bengals.
ROSTERS
California from 1997-2000.
Jackson’s duties in his last three years at USC included the recruiting and early development of Bengals
QB Carson Palmer, No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 NFL
Draft. Palmer came to USC in 1998.
Jackson began his coaching career in 1987 at his
alma mater, the University of the Pacific. After three years
there, he moved on to Cal State-Fullerton (1990-91),
Arizona State (’92-95) and California (’96). At Cal, he was
offensive coordinator and helped lead the Golden Bears
to an Aloha Bowl berth.
He picked up his first year’s experience in the pro
ranks in the spring of 1991, coaching running backs, wide
receivers and special teams for the London Monarchs of
the World League. He also had three NFL summer internships, working with the Los Angeles Rams in 1990, the
Arizona Cardinals in ’92 and the Redskins in ’95.
Born Oct. 22, 1965, Jackson played quarterback at
Pacific in 1985-86, throwing for 2544 yards and 19 TDs in
his career. He also lettered in basketball in 1986.
STAFF
had 956 yards last season to complement Johnson’s 1432,
and in 2004, Houshmandzadeh had 978 while Johnson
posted 1274.
Also last season, Jackson tutored an impact rookie in
third-round draft choice Chris Henry, who had 31 catches
for 422 yards. Henry’s 6 TD catches were the most by a
Bengals rookie since 1985.
Together, the wideouts scored 27 of Cincinnati’s 48
touchdowns last season as the team finished fourth in the
NFL in scoring (26.3 points per game). The Bengals were
fifth in the league in net passing yards per game (238.8).
Jackson (first name pronounced as “Hugh”) came to
the Bengals from the Washington Redskins, where he was
running backs coach in 2001-02 and offensive coordinator in ’03. He was back in the job market for 2004 after
Steve Spurrier resigned as Redskins head coach, and was
recruited by Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, who had
been Jackson’s coaching colleague on the Washington
staff in ’02.
“I was excited to be able to add a coach of Hue’s energy
and talent to our staff,” Lewis says. “He has a knowledge
of all aspects of the offensive game, and that surely has
shown for us the last two years.”
Jackson helped guide Redskins RB Stephen Davis to
a career-high 1432 yards in 2001, and Davis was on pace
for another 1000-yard season in ’02 before a shoulder
injury prematurely ended his year.
Jackson spent 14 years as a college coach before
joining the Redskins. His last college post was as
offensive coordinator for the University of Southern
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STAFF
ROSTERS
VETERANS
2006 DRAFT CHOICES
COLLEGE FREE AGENTS
Ray Oliver, a 22-year
veteran in pro and college
sports, is in his third season as Bengals assistant
strength and conditioning
coach.
In 2004, Oliver became an integral part of
a program that has been
considered a major factor in the team’s marked
improvement. The program has provided a noticeable
upgrade in structure and technology for Bengals players,
including an offseason regimen that is considerably more
detailed than it was in previous years.
“Ray has brought a wealth of knowledge to our
efforts,” says Chip Morton, Bengals head strength and
conditioning coach. “He’s a great asset as we continue to
develop and improve what we’re doing.”
A Cincinnati native, the 44-year-old Oliver adds
a longtime passion for the Bengals to his expertise in
his field.
“I grew up from age seven living and dying with the
Bengals every Sunday,” he says. “To come back and be
a part of this team is something I couldn’t be happier
about.”
Oliver came to the Bengals after three years as
Director of Performance Enhancement for the University
of Memphis basketball program. His resume includes
prior experience as a strength and conditioning coach
in the NFL (Tampa Bay, 1992) and in the NBA (New
Jersey Nets, ’96-97).
He attended Withrow and Taft high schools in Cincinnati, and went on to play football at Ohio State (defensive
back in 1980-81). He transferred to the University of Cincinnati in 1982, and while sitting out the ’82 season under
transfer rules, he became interested in strength training
under UC head football coach Mike Gottfried.
When Gottfried moved to Kansas University in
Darrin Simmons is
in his fourth season as
Bengals special teams
coach, following a 2005
campaign in which Cincinnati got record-breaking performances from
its kicking specialists
and kickoff returner, plus
Top-10 work from the
kickoff return and kickoff
RECORDS
STADIUM , NFL & MEDIA
1983, Oliver decided to end his football playing career.
He followed Gottfried to KU as a transfer student and
volunteer coach, and earned his bachelor’s degree from
Kansas in 1986.
Oliver worked in strength and conditioning at the
University of Pittsburgh in the mid-1980s, and during
that time he also worked a Bengals training camp and
several Bengals minicamps as a volunteer strength and
conditioning assistant.
Oliver has a long association with University of
Memphis basketball coach John Calipari, having worked
with Calipari previously at the University of Kansas,
the University of Pittsburgh and with the New Jersey
Nets. Oliver also worked under coach Rick Pitino at the
University of Kentucky from 1989-92. During that period,
he was also the strength and conditioning coach for the
United States Ski Jump team.
Oliver spent his 1992 NFL season at Tampa Bay
under head coach Sam Wyche, the former Bengals head
coach.
Oliver’s work with NFL athletes also includes the
years 1997-99, when he was involved in programs for
35 NFL players while working for the Synergy company
in Columbia, S.C.
Ray and his wife, Winone, have two children.
PLAYING AND COACHING HISTORY — 198081: Played defensive back at Ohio State. 1983-84:
Student assistant strength coach, Univ. of Kansas. 1985:
Assistant strength and conditioning (S/C) coach, Univ.
of Pittsburgh basketball. 1986-88: Head basketball
strength coach and head football conditioning coach,
Univ. of Pittsburgh. 1988-91: Head S/C coach, Univ. of
Kentucky basketball. 1992: Head S/C coach, Tampa Bay
Buccaneers. 1993-95: Head S/C coach, Univ. of South
Carolina. 1996-97: Head S/C coach, New Jersey Nets
(NBA). 2001-03: Director of performance enhancement,
Univ. of Memphis basketball. 2004-present: Assistant
S/C coach, Bengals.
DARRIN SIMMONS — Special Teams
HISTORY
2005 REVIEW
RAY OLIVER — Assistant Strength & Conditioning
coverage teams.
Simmons’ biggest individual success story has been
place-kicker Shayne Graham. Simmons faced a challenge
in 2003, when Graham joined the Bengals on waivers just
a week before the regular-season opener and was moved
into the No. 1 job.
But Simmons has helped guide Graham to three of
the finest kicking seasons in Bengals history. In 2005,
Graham became the first Bengals kicker to make the Pro
Bowl. He broke his own team record with 131 points;
broke a record (he previously had shared) by making 14
straight field goals (streak is still active entering 2006);
and he qualified as the most accurate FG kicker in club
history (87.5%)
Second-year punter Kyle Larson, originally a Bengals
college free agent signee under Simmons, averaged 43.2
yards per kick in ’05. It was the club’s best average since
1998, and the punt team’s 35.6-yard net average was also
the Bengals’ best since ’98. Larson set a team record with
a 75-yard punt at Jacksonville, breaking the previous mark
of 73 by Brad Costello.
Rookie kickoff returner Tab Perry set Bengals season
records for total returns (64) and KOR yards (1562) in ‘05.
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HISTORY
RECORDS
STADIUM , NFL & MEDIA
(continued)
2005 REVIEW
advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III
Championships and won the Freedom Football Conference title. In 2000, the Colonials won the Northeast
Championship ECAC playoff game. In both of Surace’s
seasons, the team ranked in the Top 25 nationally in the
American Football Coaches Association poll.
Surace grew up in a coaching family. His father, Tony,
was head coach for his high school football and baseball
teams in Millville, N.J. Surace went on to earn All-Ivy
League honors as a center at Princeton University.
Surace began his coaching career in 1990 as running backs coach at Springfield (Mass.) College, where
he also earned a master’s degree in sports management
in 1992. In the ’92 football season, he was Run Game
Coordinator at Maine Maritime Academy. That season, the
Mariners had the nation’s top Division III running back.
In 1993 at Maine Maritime, Surace was part of an ECAC
championship team.
In 1994, when the Canadian Football League fielded
teams in the U.S., Surace was with the Shreveport Pirates.
He was the assistant to head coach and general manager
Forrest Gregg, the former Bengals coach who guided
Cincinnati to Super Bowl XVI.
After coaching at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
(Troy, N.Y.) in 1995, Surace went to Western Connecticut
State in ’96 as offensive coordinator and recruiting
coordinator.
Surace was born April 25, 1968 in Harrisburg,
Pa. His wife, Lisa, holds a Ph.D. in psychology and
practices in Cincinnati. They have a daughter, Alison,
and a son, A.J.
COLLEGE FREE AGENTS
Bob Surace is in his
fifth season on the Bengals
coaching staff, and for
the third straight year, he
is in the role of assistant
offensive line coach.
Surace (pronounced
“suh-RACE”) was offensive staff assistant in his
first two Bengals seasons,
and in addition to his work
with the line, he continues to play a key role in the entire
offensive staff’s game preparation.
Surace’s contributions have helped the line power HB
Rudi Johnson to team-record rushing totals in both 2004
and ’05. Johnson gained 1454 yards in ’04, and he topped
that with 1458 last season. He averaged 4.3 yards per rush
last year after posting a 4.0 mark in ’04.
Also last season, the line led the way in the Bengals
allowing a record-low team total of 21 sacks (1.3 per
game). The previous record for total sacks allowed had
been 24, during the 14-game seasons of 1972-73, and the
previous record for sacks allowed per-game in a season
had been 1.6 in 1995.
OT Willie Anderson earned his third straight Pro Bowl
berth last season. Third-year G Eric Steinbach was named
a first alternate to the Pro Bowl, and fourth-year OT Levi
Jones was named a second alternate. .
Prior to joining the Bengals, Surace was a championship-level head coach in the NCAA Division III ranks. At
Western Connecticut State University in 2000-01, his
teams posted an 18-3 overall record. In 2001, WCSU
2006 DRAFT CHOICES
BOB SURACE — Assistant Offensive Line
VETERANS
PLAYING AND COACHING HISTORY — 199192: Played quarterback and punter at Dodge City (Kan.)
Community College. 1993-95: Punter, University of
Kansas. 1996: Graduate assistant coach, Kansas. 1997:
Assistant coach (AC), University of Minnesota. 1998: AC,
Baltimore Ravens. 1999-2002: AC, Carolina Panthers.
2003-present: AC, Bengals.
ROSTERS
allowed per return.
Simmons began his coaching career as a graduate
assistant at Kansas University in 1996. He moved to the
University of Minnesota in 1997 before joining the NFL
with the Ravens in ’98.
Simmons excelled while punting for Kansas from
1993-95, earning All-Big Eight honors his final year. As
a senior, he helped the Jayhawks to a Top-10 national
ranking and to an Aloha Bowl victory over UCLA. Also
as a Kansas senior, he won honors as an Academic
All-American.
Prior to playing for Kansas, Simmons was a punter
and QB for Dodge City (Kan.) Community College. In 1992
at Dodge City, he led the nation’s junior colleges in punting
and was a first-team JUCO All-American.
Simmons earned a degree in sports management
from Kansas in 1996. Born April 9, 1973, in Elkhart, Kan.,
he graduated from Elkhart High School. He and his wife,
Rhonda, have a daughter and a son.
STAFF
He was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for
his performance Dec. 4 at Pittsburgh, which included a
94-yard KOR. The ’05 Bengals finished ninth in the NFL
in team KOR average (23.6) and finished seventh in kickoff
coverage (21.0).
In 2003, Simmons’ first Bengals season, his return
and coverage units provided a major boost in the punting
game. Cincinnati finished 12th in punt return average and
11th in opponents’ punt return average, following a 2002
season in which the team had finished 31st in returns and
32nd in coverage.
In 2004, Bengals coverage and return teams ranked
in the NFL’s top half in three of four areas, topped by a
fifth-ranked kickoff coverage team allowing 19.7 yards
per return.
Simmons began his NFL coaching career in 1998 on
the same Baltimore Ravens staff as Bengals head coach
Marvin Lewis. Simmons was assistant special teams
coach and assistant strength and conditioning coach for
the Ravens in 1998, and he held that same role for the
Carolina Panthers from 1999-2002.
A former college punter himself, Simmons played an
integral role at Carolina in the continued development of
Todd Sauerbrun as one of the NFL’s top punters.
Carolina ranked fourth in the NFL in 2002 in net
punting average (37.5), and the Panthers’ special units
led the league in kickoff coverage with only 18.5 yards
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STAFF
STADIUM , NFL & MEDIA
RECORDS
HISTORY
2005 REVIEW
COLLEGE FREE AGENTS
2006 DRAFT CHOICES
VETERANS
ROSTERS
PLAYING AND COACHING HISTORY — 198789: Played center at Princeton. 1990-91: Assistant
coach (AC), Springfield (Mass.) College. 1992-93: AC,
Maine Maritime Academy. 1994: AC, Shreveport Pirates
(CFL). 1995: AC, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
1996-99: AC, Western Connecticut State. 2000-01:
Head coach, Western Connecticut State. 2002-present:
AC, Bengals.
KEN ZAMPESE — Quarterbacks
Ken Zampese is in his
fourth season as Bengals
quarterbacks coach.
Zampese’s initial Bengals
season saw veteran QB
Jon Kitna produce careerbest statistics in multiple
categories, and during
the last two seasons,
Zampese has guided the
impressive development
of Carson Palmer, the No. 1 overall selection in the
2003 NFL Draft.
Palmer saw his first regular-season game action
in ’04, and after posting a 62.6 passer rating in his first
seven games, he improved dramatically in his last six
games. If his 96.9 passer rating in his last six games had
been his rating for the full season, he would have ranked
fourth in the AFC.
And in 2005, Palmer not only kept up his pace, he
accelerated it. He helped take the Bengals to the AFC North
Division championship, leading the NFL in touchdown
passes (Bengals-record 32), TD-interception differential
(Bengals-record plus-20) and completion percentage
(67.8). Palmer’s 101.1 passer rating was also a Bengals
season record and ranked second in the NFL, and Palmer’s
345 completions set a Bengals record (second in the
NFL in 2005).
Palmer was named by the NFL as AFC Offensive
Player of the Month for September, and he won fan voting
for the FedEx Air Player of the Year award after winning
the FedEx Air weekly award a league-high five times
during the season.
In 2003, Zampese worked with Kitna, who posted
career highs in completions (324), passing yards (3591),
TD passes (26), completion percentage (62.3) and passer
rating (87.4). Though Kitna’s statistics in 2002 were also
solid, his ’03 performance still won him NFL Comeback
Player of the Year honors from the Associated Press and
Pro Football Weekly.
Zampese (pronounced “zam-PEE-zee”) came to the
Bengals following three seasons (2000-02) in St. Louis,
in which he had an expanding role with the NFL’s most
prolific passing offense.
Zampese joined the Rams in 2000 as an offensive
assistant. He was promoted to wide receivers coach in
2001, and the Rams led the league in passing yards for a
second straight year, averaging 291.4. In 2002, he added
the title of passing game coach, and the Rams finished
second in the league at 259.6 yards per game.
Zampese began his NFL coaching career in 1998 as
an offensive assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles under
head coach Ray Rhodes. Zampese moved with Rhodes to
Green Bay in 1999, also as an offensive assistant, before
beginning his stint with the Rams.
Prior to entering the NFL, Zampese coached for nine
years in the college ranks. He started in 1989 as secondary
coach at his alma mater, the University of San Diego. He
was a graduate assistant secondary coach at the University
of Southern California from 1990-91.
He then spent four years at Northern Arizona, as
wide receivers coach from 1992-94 and as offensive
coordinator in ’95. In 1996 and ’97, he was passing game
coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Miami (Ohio). In
1997, Miami averaged 37.4 points per game.
Zampese played wide receiver and was a kickoff and
punt returner at the University of San Diego from 198588. He was Special Teams Player of the Year as a senior.
He earned an undergraduate degree in business from
San Diego, and later received a master’s degree in adult
education from Southern California.
Zampese was born July 19, 1967, in Santa Maria,
Calif. He attended the University of San Diego High
School. He and his wife have two children. Ken’s father,
Ernie Zampese, was a longtime NFL offensive coordinator.
Ernie Zampese coached on a Super Bowl winner with the
1995 Dallas Cowboys, and also coached for the Chargers,
Rams and Patriots.
PLAYING AND COACHING HISTORY — 198588: Played wide receiver, kickoff returner and punt
returner at University of San Diego. 1989: Assistant coach
(AC), University of San Diego. 1990-91: AC, Southern
California. 1992-94: AC, Northern Arizona. 1995:
Offensive coordinator, Northern Arizona. 1996-97: AC,
Miami (Ohio). 1998: AC, Philadelphia Eagles. 1999:
AC, Green Bay Packers. 2000-02: AC, St. Louis Rams.
2003-present: AC, Bengals.
PALMER GETS BENGALS’ FIRST ‘100’
Cincinnati QB Carson Palmer carried a passer rating of 100 or more wire-to-wire during the 2005
season, and his final number of 101.1 is the first triple-digit season rating in Bengals history.
The previous team record was 98.4 by Ken Anderson in 1981.
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