By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Hue Jackson endured just two days of unemployment before being hired Friday as the Bengals' wide receivers coach.

Jackson, the offensive coordinator last season in Washington, was one of four Redskins assistants let go Tuesday by coach Joe Gibbs. Jackson didn't hesitate when former colleague Marvin Lewis extended the opportunity in Cincinnati.

"To learn at the knee of Marvin Lewis would be most coaches' dream," Jackson said Friday. "He's special."

Lewis worked with Jackson for one season, 2002, in Washington. Jackson, 38, replaces Alex Wood, who left to become offensive coordinator with the Arizona Cardinals.

"I'm excited to be able to add a coach of Hue's energy and talent to our staff," Lewis said in a statement.

Jackson spent 14 years as a college coach before joining the Redskins as running backs coach in 2001. He inherits a group of Bengals receivers led by AFC Pro Bowl starter Chad Johnson.

"They're a group that's talented and had success," Jackson said. "My goal is to make them more consistent, to build on their success and raise the expectations."

Besides his reunion with Lewis, Jackson again is teamed with quarterback Carson Palmer. As Southern California's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 1997-2000, Jackson recruited Palmer.

"I'm glad to be a part of the offense with Carson and the other quarterbacks," Jackson said. "My goal is to make sure the receivers are in the right place when the quarterbacks decide to throw it."

LEBEAU A STEELER: Former Bengals coach Dick LeBeau has accepted coach Bill Cowher's offer and was introduced Friday as Pittsburgh's defensive coordinator.

"I was flattered that he would consider me, and I am thrilled as I can be that he actually chose me," said LeBeau, who worked for Cowher from 1992-96, the final two years as coordinator.

LeBeau, who will turn 67 on Sept. 9, had a 12-33 record as Bengals coach from 2000-02.

LeBeau chose Cowher's offer over that of Buffalo coach Mike Mularkey, who extended the same job opportunity.

"It was a situation where it was a good-good for me," LeBeau said. "But Pittsburgh is like going home. I have always admired the way (the Steelers) play defense. I think the current group of athletes plays hard. I think it is a good situation for any coach. I am happy to be a part of it."

INTERVIEW TIME: The Pittsburgh Steelers have asked for and received permission to interview Bengals running backs coach Jim Anderson for their vacant offensive coordinator's job. Mike Mularkey left the Steelers to become head coach in Buffalo.

Anderson, 55, has coached Bengals running backs for 20 seasons. In recent years, he interviewed for the head coach position at Stanford, where he was a former assistant, and Anderson was one of five candidates interviewed for the Bengals' head-coaching job a year ago. Previously, the Bengals blocked the attempt of former Bears coach Dick Jauron to bring Anderson to Chicago as running backs coach.

With the Bengals, Anderson's position players have been the most successful individually. His tailbacks and fullbacks have been named to nine Pro Bowls.

"It's flattering just to have your name tossed around," said Anderson, who is expected to interview in the coming week in Mobile, Ala., during practices for the Senior Bowl all-star game.

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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