Ask Mark

Dick LeBeau has lost 18 of his last 21 games as Bengals coach. The Bengals clinched their second last-place division finish in as many years under LeBeau with Sunday's loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

And with an 11-30 career record, LeBeau's winning percentage has dropped to .268, tying Dave Shula's for the worst in franchise history.

Yet it is conceivable that LeBeau could return next season.

LeBeau's contract status isn't known. He received a "multiyear" contract two years ago this month. LeBeau said Monday that he doesn't know where he stands with team president Mike Brown after the next four games. LeBeau said he is focusing on one game at a time, the first of which is Sunday at Carolina.

Although Brown has said he is pleased with the improvement shown by the Bengals in the past eight games, it would be easier for him to bring back LeBeau if the Bengals won two or three of their final four games. Two victories would equal the worst record in franchise history, 3-13, and avoid setting a new low.

Public opinion suggests Brown would have to make a change after 1-15 or 2-14, but he has never been swayed by outside forces.

"It would help our case, all of us, if we could win these games," LeBeau said Monday at his news conference.

Brown has refused to talk about his coaches or any potential changes to the staff that is 7-21 (.250) in almost two full seasons.

"I have been consistent and will continue to be consistent," Brown said in declining comment.

Don't look for major alterations. Brown's style is more cosmetic. He does not like to fire coaches.

Cinergy Field will be imploded on Dec.29, the same day the Bengals play their final game in Buffalo. Brown will not do the same to his coaching staff upon returning to Cincinnati.

Here are three possible scenarios:

LeBeau comes back with all or almost all of the entire staff.

Brown has said he is encouraged by the production of the offense in the past six games and the team's overall improvement - in spite of its league-worst 1-11 record.

Brown has been pleased with how the team and the staff have not given up. In the last six games, although they are 1-5, the Bengals have been outscored by just 154-153. The Bengals are averaging 25.5 points since the bye.

The Bengals have lost five games by eight or fewer points.

Many players, including quarterback Jon Kitna, are pushing for continuity.

There also is a sense within the organization that what ails the defense, which finished 2001 with the No.9 league ranking, could be fixed in the draft or free agency.

Possibility 2 is that LeBeau's contract is up, he will not be asked to return and defensive coordinator Mark Duffner is promoted.

Duffner was Brown's first choice to replace Bruce Coslet, who resigned three games into the 2000 season. He turned it down in deference to LeBeau, one of his mentors.

Until this season, when his defense fell to 18th in total yards and 31st in points allowed, Duffner was considered a possible head coaching candidate league-wide. He is the only Bengals assistant on staff with previous head coaching experience - albeit college experience - at Holy Cross and Maryland.

Possibility No. 3 is that LeBeau is not asked back and Brown goes outside the organization for his next head coach.

This scenario is remote. A possible new head coach from outside the organization probably would be someone with previous experience with the Bengals.

Don't quickly discount the rumor that Chicago coach Dick Jauron - a former Bengals defensive back - could be headed back to Cincinnati. His Bears are 3-9 and he reportedly is not a favorite of Bears general manager Jerry Angelo.

Another possible candidate could be Indianapolis defensive coordinator Ron Meeks. He was a Bengals assistant coach from 1992-96. He had success as the Rams secondary coach before moving onto Indianapolis as coordinator, where the Colts have the league's second-ranked defense.

Don't look for Brown to even consider some of the biggest names expected to be on the market, such as Washington defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis.

Brown also could look in the college ranks, and Pittsburgh head coach Walt Harris has been rumored as a possible candidate. But Brown has a track record of not paying big-time salaries or yielding enough control to lure the likes of Oklahoma's Bob Stoops.

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