CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals have fired defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, a source told ESPN’s Josina Anderson, hours after they allowed 51 points in a loss to the Saints.
Austin, 53, was in his first season with the team, and the unit looked shockingly bad at times. Not only did it fall to last in almost every defensive category, but it is also approaching historically bad levels. The team is on pace to break the 2012 Saints’ record for most yards allowed in a season and is also the first team in the Super Bowl era to give up at least 500 yards in three straight games.
The Bengals were down several defensive starters against the Saints, but their problems started well before many of those players were lost. It was clear that New Orleans could have scored more than 51 points had it chosen to, but it pulled some of the starters in the fourth quarter.
Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis paused several seconds before answering questions about the scheme and the possibility of coaching changes in Sunday night’s news conference, as if he was trying to choose his words carefully. Lewis declined to discuss any changes at the time.
This is the second straight season that the Bengals have fired a coordinator during the season, which is a rare move for them. Prior to last season, the Bengals had never fired a coordinator during the season in the history of the franchise.
They fired offensive coordinator Ken Zampese just two games into last season after the players, including star wideout A.J. Green, appeared to be growing increasingly frustrated after not scoring a touchdown in the first two weeks.
Firing Zampese was likely not an easy decision, as he had been with the team since 2003 as quarterbacks coach before being promoted to offensive coordinator. It was likely a difficult decision with Austin as well, but it was clear a change had to be made if the team were to bounce back and make a playoff run.
Linebackers coach Jim Haslett, who has both head-coaching experience and experience as a defensive coordinator, could be a candidate to replace him.
Source : ESPN
