Despite falling to 0-7 in the playoffs with a loss to the Steelers in the Wild Card round last night, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis is likely to return for a 14th season in 2016, as Adam Schefter of ESPN reports (Twitter link). Per Schefter, Cincinnati has no plans to make a coaching change at this time, and Lewis’ future with the club “really isn’t much of an issue.”
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Reports this morning indicated that Lewis could be on the proverbial hot seat following last night’s loss. Not only did the defeat leave the coach still winless in the postseason, but the nature in which the Bengals lost was particularly embarrassing, with personal fouls in the final seconds of the contest ultimately costing Cincinnati a chance to move forward in the tournament.
Still, for a team that has preached continuity above all else, today’s report shouldn’t be particularly surprising. Under owner/GM Mike Brown, the Bengals aren’t a team to make reactionary decisions, as evidenced by Lewis being the second-longest tenured NFL head coach. It’s not as if Lewis hasn’t had success in the Queen City — he’s posted a career record of 112-92 — but until his team finally wins in the postseason, calls for him to be replaced aren’t likely to die down.
Cincinnati’s coaching staff is expected to undergo wholesale changes, however, at least on the assistant side of things. Offensive coordinator Hue Jackson is interviewing today with the Browns and the 49ers, and is said to be the leading candidate for the San Francisco job. Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther has drawn interest from both the Eagles and the Browns, while defensive backs coach Vance Joseph appears likely to become the Dolphins’ DC.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Well duh. It’s Mike Brown folks.
Don’t want to buy out Brown is a cheap-o
How ironic would it be if Washington won today… Have a former Bengal assistant win a playoff game before Marvin does.
Should have been a no brainer firing.
Outside of poor track record of past playoffs, what grounds is there to fire him for this year? Lewis seemingly did everything necessary, even helped put the team in position to actually win a playoff game. The actions of Burfict and Jones can’t be controlled once they step onto the field. Lewis can be in players’ ears all the time in the locker room and on the sidelines about playing disciplined, but once the players step inside the white lines, its up to them to perform.
Even though Marvin is 0-7 in playoffs that means very little – The players ‘must’ perform – My Vikings are 0-4 in Super Bowls, so what, they have made it there 4 times 🙂 , more than most teams – So DO NOT blame Lewis, he has to play who he as, and if they aren’t good enough that’s not the coaches fault most of the time …..
He’s 0-7 in the playoffs! He brings in thugs who cost him very important games!! Let him coach U of Illinois.