Bengals’ Brian Callahan out of running for Cardinals’ HC gig, Lou Anarumo a finalist

[Squirrlnutz]

If we lose Lou, bring back Mike

Sounds good on paper but Zim was an old school guy who refused to talk to injured players, can't see any way in which his coaching style jives with Zac's feel-good-take-an-extra-day-off,-you-know,-why-dont-we-cancel-a-full-weekend-of-OTA's approach.

[texbengal]

Sounds good on paper but Zim was an old school guy who refused to talk to injured players, can't see any way in which his coaching style jives with Zac's feel-good-take-an-extra-day-off,-you-know,-why-dont-we-cancel-a-full-weekend-of-OTA's approach.

I can't see Zim for these reasons.

I'd prefer someone like Vance Joseph, if he's available. He's had a track record of some success as a DC, and was on the Bengals' staff at one point... or Raheem Morris, who may be one of those Vic Fangio types - not a HC, but a good DC.

Aubrey Pleasant is another worth considering... he was on the Rams' staff and Zac coached with him there, IIRC. High-energy guy with a lot of experience coaching DBs. Just saw where the Saints hired Todd Grantham - he's the guy that supposedly Zac wanted initially (or Dennis Allen) before going with Lou.

[Bengals1181]

I can't see Zim for these reasons.

I'd prefer someone like Vance Joseph, if he's available. He's had a track record of some success as a DC, and was on the Bengals' staff at one point... or Raheem Morris, who may be one of those Vic Fangio types - not a HC, but a good DC.

Aubrey Pleasant is another worth considering... he was on the Rams' staff and Zac coached with him there, IIRC. High-energy guy with a lot of experience coaching DBs. Just saw where the Saints hired Todd Grantham - he's the guy that supposedly Zac wanted initially (or Dennis Allen) before going with Lou.

Pleasant was the guy the Rams blocked right?

[texbengal]

Pleasant was the guy the Rams blocked right?

Yes, as I recall. He subsequently was DC in Detroit but he got canned... not a great look, I guess, but he was a first-time DC there. He's with GB now, as an offensive coach.

Also I don't know that much about him but Sean Desai is another guy who is supposedly highly regarded. He was interviewing for the Denver DC gig... I guess he was also going to interview for the Minny DC gig but he withdrew. Sounds like he was focusing on the Denver job. They have a really good defense. They just can't score.

[Bengals1181]

another guy who came to mind while watching Benton:

Jim Leonhard. Was the DC for 5 years at Wisconsin, who always has a good defense. Was also interim head coach last year. He was a casualty of the Fickell regime taking over and somehow currently unemployed.

Even if not DC, I'd find a way to get him on the staff.

[texbengal]

another guy who came to mind while watching Benton:

Jim Leonhard. Was the DC for 5 years at Wisconsin, who always has a good defense. Was also interim head coach last year. He was a casualty of the Fickell regime taking over and somehow currently unemployed.

Even if not DC, I'd find a way to get him on the staff.

Yep. He was an outstanding S at Wisconsin and he bounced around a bit in the NFL - Ravens and Jets, IIRC. A good athlete but his greatest strength was his smarts and awareness, but he was tough, too.

I thought he did a solid job as a coach there, too.

[whodeyjc]

Maybe nothing but Matt Burke is interviewing for Texans DC job. He was on staff with Lou A in Miami.

[texbengal]

Maybe nothing but Matt Burke is interviewing for Texans DC job. He was on staff with Lou A in Miami.

He was the LB coach here, too. I think on Paulie Guenther’s staff.

If Lou get the gig in AZ thinking he might try either James Bettcher - or Al Golden, who’s the DC at Notre Dame.

[whodeyjc]

Ben Allbright heavily hinting it’s going to be Jonathan Gannon of Philly on Twitter right now!!!

[texbengal]

Ben Allbright heavily hinting it’s going to be Jonathan Gannon of Philly on Twitter right now!!!

He's well-regarded and I just saw on Twitter that Adam Schefter indicated the rumors are that they are waiting until after the SB to announce the HC hire. IIRC, that's what happened with Zac when the Rams were in there with Goff as the starting QB. Funny, though, all along it's been the 3 finalists were Flores, Kafka and Lou.