The Cincinnati Bengals have fired defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo after six seasons.
His departure is part of a larger reshuffle, with linebackers coach James Bettcher, defensive line coach Marion Hobby and offensive line coach Frank Pollack also off to pastures new.
Loudini the magic man
Joining Cincinnati in 2019 under new head coach Zac Taylor, Anarumo helped transform the team from AFC North whipping boys to championship contenders.
His unit was the backbone of unexpected playoff runs in 2021 and 2022, averaging just 18.8 points allowed in seven postseason games.
His ability to magic up scheme changes – keeping the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen in check – altered the trajectory of big games.
As a result, he earned nicknames such as ‘Loudini’ and the ‘Mad Scientist’, as well as interviews for head coaching jobs.
Arguably, his finest moment came in the 2021 AFC Championship Game. The Bengals held the Kansas City Chiefs to just three second-half points, helping secure a 27-24 overtime victory and a trip to Super Bowl LVI.
Time for a change
But things have taken a dive since. Although Anarumo’s unit turned things around late this season, the damage was done.
The defence allowed 434 points, the fifth-most in the league, ranking 25th in yards allowed per game and 26th in points allowed per drive.
Somehow, the team missed the playoffs, despite career seasons by Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Trey Hendrickson.
“Lou has been a big reason why we have had a lot of our success,” Taylor explained at his end-of-season press conference.
“But I just felt we needed a change. We need to perform better in all three phases.”
The search is on
The hunt for a new defensive coordinator will be quite different from 2019. Back then, because he was with the LA Rams at the Super Bowl, Taylor had to wait till February. All the top names had gone.
This time, interviews are already underway. But allegedly, two of the biggest fish out there – Robert Saleh and Dennis Allen – are not in play.
Maybe that is because Taylor wants someone versed in the ways of the ultra-tough, uber-competitive AFC North.
“This division is different,” Taylor noted. “When people play teams in this division, they feel that immediately. You need a coordinator who has an understanding of that.”
So Ravens, Browns and Steelers supporters, beware: Cincy may be looking to pinch one of your defensive gurus!
Fans like me will never forget the part Anarumo played in masterminding the path to our first Super Bowl appearance in 33 years.
So whoever inherits the task of knocking this defence back into shape, they have big shoes to fill.
