Bengals name 2 new position coaches

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Enquirer staff report

The Bengals today signed Mark Carrier as defensive backs coach and promoted Paul Guenther to the position of linebackers coach.

Carrier is entering his seventh year as an NFL position coach. He spent the last two seasons (2010-11) as defensive line coach for the New York Jets and was defensive backs coach for the Baltimore Ravens from 2006-09. As a player, he was a standout safety over 11 seasons for Chicago, Detroit and Washington, earning three Pro Bowl selections. He was a first-round draft choice (sixth overall) by Chicago in 1990. He played in college at Southern California and is a native of Lake Charles, La.

“Mark is a great choice for us as he moves back to his old position, coaching the defensive secondary,” said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. “He experienced success as a coach with two fine NFL defenses, and he will do very well with our group.”

Guenther is entering his 10th season as an NFL coach, including the last eight with Cincinnati. In 2011, he was an assistant in a dual role, working with special teams and defensive backs. Guenther was also in a dual role from 2006-10, and those five seasons saw him working with special teams and linebackers. He played LB at Ursinus College and later was a record-setting head coach for four years (1997-2001) at Ursinus. His hometown is Richboro, Pa.

“Paul is very deserving of this opportunity to continue advancing and to coach a position of his own,” Lewis said. “Mike Zimmer (Bengals defensive coordinator) and I both have high confidence levels working with Paul, and we’re excited about what he can bring our defense in this new role.”

In 2011, Carrier’s defensive line helped the Jets finish fifth in the NFL in fewest yards allowed per game (312.1), fifth in fewest yards allowed per play (5.0) and seventh in fewest yards allowed per rushing play (3.9). In 2010, the Jets finished third in the NFL in fewest rushing yards allowed and third in fewest yards per rushing play. During Carrier’s term as defensive backs coach in Baltimore, the Ravens had the NFL’s second-most interceptions (93), with S Ed Reed performing as one of the league’s premier players.

Guenther last season helped coach the Bengals defense to a No. 7 NFL ranking (316.3 yards allowed per game). He has worked closely with Mike Zimmer, particularly on blitz techniques, and last season the Bengals ranked fifth in the NFL in sacks (45). In 2010, he helped tutor a starting LB trio that finished 1-2-3 on the team in tackles.

As defensive backs coach, Carrier replaces Kevin Coyle, who on Jan. 27 accepted the defensive coordinator position with the Miami Dolphins. As linebackers coach, Guenther replaces Jeff FitzGerald, who held the position for the Bengals from 2008-11.

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