W H A T   D O   Y O U   T H I N K ?

        Interim coach Dick LeBeau, who has infused the Bengals organization with a positive attitude and led the team to a 4-5 record since Oct. 22, was rewarded Wednesday with a multiyear contract.

        Exact terms of the contract were not disclosed, though Mr. LeBeau said it was “generous” and gives him “ample time” to help the Bengals reverse their decade of non-winning records.

        Bengals president Mike Brown made the announcement at the start of Mr. LeBeau's regular Wednesday news conference.

        “Dick took over the team when we were in tough times. It was not an easy assignment,” Mr. Brown said. “He stepped up and did a very, very effective job.”

        Mr. LeBeau was promoted on Sept. 25, the day Bruce Coslet resigned and a day after the Bengals suffered their worst loss in franchise history, 37-0 at Baltimore.

        The Bengals are 4-11 this season, 4-8 under LeBeau.

        “I'm thrilled. I'm honored and even more ready to go to work,” Mr. LeBeau said. “I am excited and grateful to get a chance to finish what we started. I've said we think we've made some progress, and we hope to make a whole lot more.”

        In spite of making eight non-injury lineup changes, Mr. LeBeau is widely popular with his players.

        “We might not have won all the games we wished we had won, but our team fought hard, and it continued to fight hard throughout the season,” Mr. Brown said. “We think Dick has not only won my respect with the job he has done, but the players, as well, and the discerning fans that we have.”

        Defensive captain Takeo Spikes and offensive captain Willie Anderson met with Mr. Brown on Tuesday to relay players' wishes for Mr. LeBeau to be rehired.

        “The players think Dick acts on what he believes, that he's clear about where he wants to go, that they feel good about him as the head coach,” Mr. Brown said. “And I would be lying to you to tell you that isn't a factor in my mind.”
       

Players get the man they wanted LeBeau staying as Bengals coach Assistants' fates in doubt DAUGHERTY: Good hire, Mike; now step aside SULLIVAN: LeBeau not obvious choice, just right one Dillon: LeBeau hiring a positive Sitting out hurts Scott

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