The Cincinnati Bengals have an assistant head coach for the first time in a few years.
Zac Taylor extending special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons was a big deal for a few reasons and it turns out in doing so, Taylor added assistant head coach to Simmons’ title.
In fact, Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com noted the additional title on Simmons’ resume was perhaps a big reason he signed on the dotted line again and that Simmons is “excited about the possibilities of his added role after conversations with Taylor.”
As he should be. The Bengals hadn’t officially had an assistant head coach since the departure of line coach Paul Alexander, a man of 20-plus years with the organization.
And from Simmmons’ perspective it should be especially encouraging given that in the same week a special teams coordinator got hired as a head coach. The position’s dealing with all three phases and working closely with head coaches could mean more and more get the biggest jobs in the coming years.
As of now, there aren’t indications Simmons has eyes for something like that. But for Taylor, having one of the most respected special teams coordinators in the league at his side is a big win.
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