Cincinnati Bengals Promote Paul Guenther To Defensive Coordinator
By Jesse Mapati
Jan 5, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, outside linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) and running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis (42) wait for a call to be reviewed during the second quarter against the San Diego Chargers during the AFC wild card playoff football game at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports
The Cincinnati Bengals moved quickly to choose a replacement for departed defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.
The team promoted linebackers coach Paul Guenther to lead the defense after Zimmer accepted the head coaching position with the Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday.
Guenther coached linebacker the past two seasons and has worked on head coach Marvin Lewis’s staff since 2005.
The Bengals defense ranked number three in the NFL during the 2013 regular season, giving up 305.0 yards per game.
Don’t expect that new coordinator to be as profane as his predecessor. He mentioned in his news conference yesterday that, “I’m not Mike Zimmer, I’m Paul Guenther and I get to run my stamps on things.” he said.
Known to combine cuss words in a manner that made some people uncomfortable, if y’all watched “Hard Knocks” this past season you’ll know what I’m talking about. Zimmer earned a reputation for being a delightful person to know off the field. The intensity of him, had his players to do whatever he asked of them, that’s why he was respected and love around the Bengals’ locker room.
But none of that is part of Guenther’s personality cursing and screaming aren’t part of his makeup.
With all that, the Zimmer era is over in Cincinnati. The Gunether era has officially begins.