CINCINNATI — Will Zac Taylor hire his father-in-law and brother to his coaching staff once he’s officially named the Bengals head coach?
Reports that the Rams quarterback coach will replace Marvin Lewis set off speculation Friday about possible staffing changes and whether the Bengals might be in trouble with the NFL over their dealings with Taylor.
While family members working together as coaches are probably doomed as often than not, at least one pro football writer thinks hiring Taylor’s father-in-law deserves some consideration.
Mike Sherman was Packers head coach for five winning seasons (2000-2004) and made the playoffs four years in a row before laying a 4-12 egg in 2005. He also was offensive coordinator for three teams – Seahawks (1999), Texans (2007) and Dolphins (2012-13).
Sherman also gave rise to Taylor’s coaching career, giving him his first coaching job when Sherman was head coach at Texas A&M (2008-2011). And Sherman gave Taylor his first NFL job as QB coach with the Dolphins (2012).
If Zac Taylor gets Bengals job, the first thing he should do is hire his father in law, Mike Sherman, as assistant head coach. His expertise and experience would be a terrific advantage for a first-time head coach. Kubiak told me once Sherman was the best O line coach he’d seen.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) January 11, 2019
But Sherman, 64, is clearly on the downside of his coaching career. After leaving the Dolphins, he coached a Massachusetts high school team for three years. Sherman was head coach of the Canadian League Montreal Alouettes in 2018 and posted a 5-13 record.
Taylor’s brother, though, might be a more enticing choice.
Press Taylor, was the Eagles QB coach in 2018 after two seasons as assistant QB coach. Taylor has “worked closely” with Carson Wentz, Nick Foles and Sam Bradford, according to his bio on the Eagles website.
Zac Taylor is #Eagles QB coach Press Taylor’s brother, so obviously there could be another domino to fall. #Bengals #Rams #NFL https://t.co/M4n8UmMU82
— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardoNFL) January 11, 2019
If and when Zac Taylor is named Bengals HC, it’s no sure thing he’ll keep anyone on Lewis’s staff. But the Bengals like the QB coach they have, Alex Van Pelt, and - who knows- Press Taylor might be inclined to stay with a winner for now.
Besides, will there still be brotherly love if Zac's Rams and Press's Eagles meet in the NFC Championship game next week?
Meanwhile, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports that the Bengals are “sweating bullets” over their choice of Zac Taylor. Officially, the Bengals cannot hire Taylor until the Rams’ postseason is over.
“Per a league source, the Bengals currently are 'terrified' that the league will investigate whether they violated the constantly-violated rules regarding the making of offers to head-coaching candidates before offers can be made,” Florio wrote on the PFF website.
“The thinking is that other candidates were informed that Taylor is the choice, and that Taylor has informed colleagues that he is the choice. If that’s true, the line may have been crossed, and the electronic paper trial would easily prove it.
“So, yes, the Bengals are now worried that the league will come down on them. Even though the league has always looked the other way regarding every every instance where that rule was being violated — and where everyone knew it."
Joseph, Austin find jobs, per media reports
Vance Joseph, spurned for the Bengals head coaching job, will become the Cardinals defensive coordinator, according to media reports.
Teryl Austin, fired as Bengals defensive coordinator after nine games in 2018, has been hired by the Steelers as senior defensive assistant with a focus on the secondary.
