Safeties coach Ray Horton is the only one of 15 Bengals assistants who is sure not to return for the 2002 season. Horton, who coached five seasons with the Bengals, resigned to pursue other opportunities, head coach Dick LeBeau said Monday.

        Running backs coach Jim Anderson, who is interviewing this week for the head coaching vacancy at Stanford, will return for a 19th season with the Bengals if he doesn't get that job. Former San Diego Chargers head coach Mike Riley and current Chargers offensive coordinator Norv Turner are considered the top two candidates.

        The other 13 Bengals assistant coaches are under contract and will return next season.

        LeBeau and Bengals president Mike Brown made the decision. They meet and discuss the team daily.

        Special teams coach Al Roberts and five offensive position group coaches were believed to be the most vulnerable. The five offensive position coaches have been together for three full seasons.

        The Bengals were second only to Cleveland as the NFL's lowest-scoring team in 2000, and finished last this year with 226 points, a 14.1 average. Offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski will be back for a second season, and he said replacing any coaches could set the offense back.

        The Bengals gained 980 yards in offense and scored 49 points the past two games, both victories.

“I don't think it hurt them any, that's for sure,” LeBeau said.

        In addition to Anderson, the offensive coaches are Ken Anderson, quarterbacks; Paul Alexander, line; Frank Verducci, tight ends; and Steve Mooshagian, wide receivers.

        “They persevered through a tough situation,” LeBeau said. “We look forward to having that year of experience, having a lot of wrinkles ironed out.”

        The Bengals might not fill Horton's opening. Cornerbacks coach Kevin Coyle could be assigned all defensive backs.

        Horton is expected to pursue a coaching position with the expansion Houston Texans, whose general manager, Charley Casserly, was Washington's general manager when Horton was an assistant coach there (1994-96).

        LeBeau said two other staff members, offensive assistant John Garrett and defensive assistant Louie Cioffi, could see their duties expand.

        Also returning on defense are coordinator/linebackers coach Mark Duffner and line coach Tim Krumrie.

        The defense improved its league ranking from 22 to nine in one season. The Bengals allowed 19.3 points a game, down from 22.4 last season.

        The final two members of the staff are strength and conditioning coach Kim Wood and his assistant, Rodney Holman.

DAUGHERTY: Bengals tickets aren't worth it Draft crucial to Bengals Horton leaves Bengals Ravens beat Vikings, makes playoffs NFL Playoff schedule Rams look to be clear favorite

Reds sign Rijo, Hamilton
Web site tracks ballpark
UC climbs to No. 10 in AP poll
Charlotte gunner strikes gold in inner city
Jackson sparks Xavier off the bench
Speedway fans buy tickets, hope for Winston Cup
Local skater bides his time
Smith leaves UK to enter NFL draft
Sports events this week
HIGH SCHOOL PAGE
Moeller object of recruiting inquiry
Moeller seeks stadium site
Landmark hires football coach
Cincinnati boys basketball polls
Cincinnati girls basketball polls
Ohio AP boys basketball polls
Cincinnati girls basketball roundup
Ohio boys basketball scores
Ohio girls basketball scores
N.Ky. basketball polls
N.Ky. girls basketball roundup
Kentucky AP boys basketball poll
Kentucky AP girls basketball poll
Kentucky boys basketball scores
Kentucky girls basketball scores
Indiana boys basketball scores
Indiana girls basketball scores

• Return to Bengals front page...