Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo interviewed for the Giants’ head coaching job in 2022 and was a finalist for the Cardinals’ HC post this year. After a lengthy search process, Arizona chose Jonathan Gannon for the position, so Anarumo will return to Cincinnati for the upcoming campaign. Nonetheless, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic predicts that the 56-year-old will be a prominent member of next year’s coaching cycle (subscription required).
Should Anarumo leave the Bengals to become a head coach elsewhere in 2024, Dehner believes linebackers coach James Bettcher would most likely step into his shoes as Cincy’s DC. There are a number of reasons why that would be a logical move.
For one, a Bettcher promotion would represent schematic continuity, as he will have two years of experience working on Anarumo’s Bengals staff by the time the 2023 season comes to an end. And he also offers defensive coordinator experience himself, having served in that capacity with the Cardinals and Giants last decade.
During Bettcher’s tenure as Arizona’s DC from 2015-17, the club never finished outside of the top-six in total defense, a performance that earned Bettcher a head coaching interview in the desert following the 2017 season. That job ultimately went to Steve Wilks, and although Wilks reportedly offered Bettcher a chance to stay in his post, Bettcher accepted the Giants’ defensive coordinator position instead (he also received an offer from the Titans).
Bettcher’s time with Big Blue did not go according to plan, as the team finished in the bottom-10 in total defense in both of his seasons at the helm. In fairness, New York was not operating with much defensive talent at the time, particularly in the linebacking corps and secondary, which undermined Bettcher’s aggressive approach to play-calling. When Joe Judge became the Giants’ HC in 2020, he did not retain Bettcher, who sat out that season before taking a job as a senior defensive assistant with the 49ers in 2021.
Now 45, Bettcher joined the Bengals in his current role in 2022, a season that saw starting LBs Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt turn in the best performances of their careers. Cincinnati, of course, has emerged as an AFC heavyweight over the past several seasons, and while the Joe Burrow-led offense deservingly gets most of the credit for that development, the defense has steadily improved since Anarumo’s appointment as defensive coordinator in 2019. Last season, although the Bengals finished in the middle of the pack in terms of total defense, they did allow the sixth-fewest points per game and finished just outside the top-10 in takeaways.
If Anarumo’s unit continues its upward trajectory, or at least sustains its current level of performance, it stands to reason that he would generate more HC interest, and that the Bengals would want to promote a familiar and experienced candidate in Bettcher. Of course, the team would need to comply with Rooney Rule requirements before such a move could be made official.
How exactly is Anarumo suppose to be an effective coach for the Bengals now that this Dehner character has pegged him as a “lame duck” coach? This is the kind of player distraction teams don’t appreciate.
I would think, if anything, the players would be happy if Anarumo gets a HC job. It’s not a secret that he wants one
It’s generally not a good sign if players are happy to see a coach leave. In any event I think Anarumo’s job just got more difficult because of some sketchy speculation by this reporter.
Sketchy speculation? He already applied and interviewed for multiple jobs last year. It’s not like players are happy he may be leaving but they’d be happy that he gets a chance to be a head coach since it seems like he really wants that. Players know that there’s not much loyalty in sports, nor should there be. You gotta take care of yourself and your family first
Loyalty aside, I doubt the Bengals brass want players wondering if Anarumo is going to be spending more time working on his resume and practicing for future job interviews than providing strong coaching instruction.
Every coach is always building their resume. I don’t think there’s many linebacker coaches that are content with that job forever. Anarumo is no different than a lot of coaches that are on a list for a promotion. Believe me, the players aren’t worried about Anarumo’s future plans
There’s not an assistant coach in the NFL that’s not “working on his resume.” Every coordinator wants to be a head coach. And given the scarcity of positions, they don’t generally turn down an offer.
He’s not a lame duck coach. He has that job if he does not get hired by someone else as their head coach. Bengals can’t stop him for that if he wants to be a HC. So in case he goes they already have an in house replacement ready. He’s not being forced out?
Also the Rooney rule is for a HC hire. I’ve never heard it be about who the hire as a coordinator