Bruce Coslet went 7-2 as Bengals interim coach in 1996, setting an NFL standard that probably won't be approached by Dick LeBeau.

        Of the 49 in-season NFL coaching changes since 1970, only eight produced winning records the remainder of the season. And, Coslet's .778 winning percentage was easily the best of those who coached at least half a season. Coslet's percentage was topped only by Ron Meyer of Indianapolis, who went 3-0 to close the 1986 season.

        Paul Zimmerman, the Sports Illustrated NFL writer better known as “Dr. Z,” said it is no secret why in-season changes rarely work.

        “How many times has a team changed coaches when they have a winning record?” Zimmerman said Monday. “Not many. So that means it's probably not a good team to begin with.”

        The main problem is the interim coach almost always comes from the current staff. That leaves the staff essentially a man short, already worried about 2001, and the players unsure what to expect.

        For instance, offensive coordinator Ken Anderson will now call the plays instead of Coslet. Linebackers coach Mark Duffner will probably assume more of a defensive coordinator's role, replacing LeBeau.

        LeBeau himself will have to take a crash course on offense, having been on the defensive side of the ball for nearly all of his 42 NFL seasons as a player and coach.

        “I don't know of anyone on the Bengals who is more knowledgeable about football,” Bengals president Mike Brown said.

        Brown apparently had not intended to make a move with Coslet, so Coslet made it for him after Sunday's 37-0 loss at Baltimore.

        “Based on what we saw yesterday, it almost had to happen,” Bengals radio analyst Dave Lapham said. “I mean, how could it get any worse?”

        Zimmerman studies NFL videotapes each week, but said he has not seen the Bengals this year.

        “I was wondering about them last year, whether they were playing hard,” he said. “And then I saw them play hard against Baltimore that time (34-31 loss on Nov. 21), and I figured they weren't quit ting on Coslet. I don't know what's happened this year.

        “Sometimes, you have to make a change just to make a change. Usually in these cases, it's not just one thing that needs fixing.”

        For every Coslet miracle of '96, there are many more Rick Venturis. Venturi went 1-7 in an interim job with Indianapolis (1991) and 1-10 in another stint with New Orleans (1996).

        Most fall somewhere in the middle — such as Homer Rice, 4-7 with the Bengals after replacing Bill “Tiger” Johnson in 1978.

        “I hope it will help, but you never can tell,” Bengals offensive tackle Willie Anderson said. “We just didn't execute and give Bruce a chance. You can't say it's good to change, because a guy lost his job here.”

        Anderson said the players are to blame, and a coaching change can only do so much.

        “Guys will have a different mindset, I'm sure, because it's new,” Anderson said. “You can't say it'll be a whole new offense or defense. It'll be most of the same stuff. We just have to execute for Coach LeBeau.”

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LeBeau's goal: Be competitive Anderson will call plays again Midseason changes usually don't help Players say they'll respect LeBeau Losing too painful for Coslet SULLIVAN: Coslet had 37 reasons to quit LeBeau a teacher, defense innovator If LeBeau fails, who is next? Lapham: Duffner approached first Brown: Re-evaluate? Yes; Resign? No Results of our Bengals poll Borgman cartoon Editorial: City deserves better from Bengals Timeline: Bengals' decade of defeat

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