The Bengals will promote long-time assistant Paul Guenther to defensive coordinator following the loss of Mike Zimmer to the Vikings, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Guenther has been with the club for nine seasons and has served as the Bengals' linebackers coach for two years.
Bengals promote LB coach Paul Guenther to defensive coordinator
The Bengals will promote one of their own for their second coordinator vacancy of the offseason.
Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports
Guenther started his coaching career at 25 as the head coach of Division III Ursinus College in Pennsylvania. He was there from 1997-2000 before taking a job as a running backs coach for the Washington Redskins. He was hired by the Bengals in 2004, and he worked with special teams along with several units on defense. He was instrumental in Pro Bowl linebacker Vontaze Burfict's development over the last two seasons.
Guenther will replace Zimmer, who spent six seasons as defensive coordinator for the Bengals. Zimmer was hired for the Vikings head coaching job on Wednesday. Zimmer has been one of the best coordinators in the league for years and has coached a top-10 defense throughout the majority of his stint in Cincinnati. The Bengals finished fifth in total defense this season.
More from SB Nation NFL
See More:
