By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Coach Marvin Lewis hired 14 assistant coaches Jan. 21, and Lewis said Monday he plans to have his entire staff return for a second season.

YEAR IN REVIEW

• Lewis not satisfied, but says foundation is solid • Teammate: 'Good riddance,' Corey • The envelope please ... • 2003 season recap • 2003 storylines • Lewis plans no changes, credits his co-workers • 17th pick could bolster defense • Major free agent acquisitions pay off in starting lineup • Johnson a hot property • Kitna wants to stay Bengal • Rookie class makes immediate contributions • Season stats

"I don't know of any changes," Lewis said. "There are no changes that I am going to make in our staff.

"I can tell you, No. 1, they did an outstanding job of working together to prepare our guys."

Nine of the 15 coaches were new to the Bengals. Lewis said he would be a better head coach next season and that the staff would improve, too.

Lewis retained offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski from Dick LeBeau's staff. In their third season in Bratkowski's system, the Bengals scored 346 points, the most for the franchise since 1997.

Lewis and first-year defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier pieced together a patchwork of free agents and holdover players. Five first-year Bengals were regular starters on the defense.

The Bengals ranked 28th in total defense, 28th in points allowed, 25th in rushing defense and 24th in passing yards allowed.

Offensive staff newcomers Alex Wood (wide receivers), Jonathan Hayes (tight ends) and Ken Zampese (quarterbacks) helped to produce the league's 13th-ranked offense, which also finished 13th in the league in scoring.

"I've never been prepared better by my quarterbacks coach than I was on Sundays this year," Jon Kitna said Monday of Zampese.

No members of Lewis' staff are publicly rumored to be in the running for any other jobs.

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