The defensive coordinator is regarded as a strong candidate for head coaching.
Lou Anarumo, the Cincinnati Bengals’ defensive coordinator, was a leading candidate to become an NFL head coach last offseason. Leading a unit that had excelled the previous two seasons, as well as his success against the Kansas City Chiefs, his name was linked to head coaching vacancies throughout the league.
Anarumo advanced far in the process as the Arizona Cardinals chose their head coach. Anarumo was said to be the runner-up to Jonathan Gannon, who was eventually hired.
With the Bengals’ defense failing to meet Anarumo’s standards in 2021 and 2022, some wondered if things would calm down this season, but that does not appear to be the case.
The Athletic recently released its list of head coaching candidates for 2024, and Anarumo’s name appears again.
“The 57-year-old Anarumo directs a defense that was among the league’s stingiest in points allowed in 2021 and 2022, and he is one of the few defensive minds who knows how to beat the Kansas City Chiefs,” Jones wrote in an email.
To this point, Zac Taylor has been able to keep all of his desired assistant coaches. Anarumo, offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, and quarterbacks coach Dan Pitcher have all been courted, but none have agreed to terms.
As the Bengals move forward without Joe Burrow, the defense may become more important than ever as the offense adjusts to Jake Browning at quarterback. Anarumo’s stock could rise even higher if the Bengal defense tightens up and helps lead the team to the postseason.
