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From the Bengals
The Bengals today announced the hiring of three assistant coaches — linebackers coach James Bettcher, secondary/cornerbacks coach Charles Burks and assistant offensive line coach Derek Frazier.
Bettcher, 42, brings nine years of NFL coaching experience, including as a defensive coordinator for both the N.Y. Giants (2018-19) and Arizona Cardinals (’15-17). His other NFL experience includes senior defensive assistant/running game specialist for the San Francisco 49ers in 2021, outside linebackers coach for the Cardinals from ’13-14, and special assistant to the head coach/outside linebackers for the Indianapolis Colts in ’12. Prior to his time in the NFL, Bettcher spent nine seasons as a college assistant, including at the University of New Hampshire in 2011, Ball State University in ’10, University of North Carolina from ’07-09, Bowling Green State University in ’06, and University of St. Francis (Ind.) from ’03-05. Bettcher replaces Al Golden, who served as Cincinnati’s linebackers coach from 2020-21.
Burks, 34, joins Cincinnati after spending 2019-21 with the Miami Dolphins (was coaching assistant in ’19, and cornerbacks coach from ’20-21). Prior to his time in Miami, he spent eight seasons coaching in the college ranks, including time at Southeastern Oklahoma State University (2014-18), Texas A&M University-Commerce (’13), West Texas A&M University (’12) and East Central (Okla.) University (’11). As a player, Burks was a CB at East Central University from 2008-10. Burks replaces Steve Jackson, who served as Cincinnati’s secondary/cornerbacks coach from 2020-21.
Frazier, 48, comes to Cincinnati after spending 2021 as offensive line coach at the University of Wyoming. He spent 2019-20 as assistant offensive line coach with the N.Y. Jets, where he worked with current Bengals offensive line coach/run game coordinator Frank Pollack, who was the Jets’ offensive line coach for the same time period. Prior to his time with the Jets, Frazier spent 21 seasons coaching offensive lines in the college ranks — Central Michigan University (2015-18), Colorado State University (’12-14), Fresno State University (’03-04, ’06-11), Northern Arizona University (’05), Adams State (Colo.) College (’01-02), and Nichols (Mass.) College (1998-2000). Frazier played center at the University of Northern Colorado from 1992-96, and helped the Bears to an NCAA Division II National Championship as a senior in ’96. In Cincinnati, Frazier and Ben Martin both will hold the title of assistant offensive line coach.
In addition, Jordan Kovacs has been promoted to assistant linebackers coach. Kovacs, 31, is entering his fourth season with Cincinnati. He had served as the team’s defensive quality control coach the past three seasons.
It is expected that the changes noted above finalize the team’s 2022 coaching staff, listed here:
HEAD COACH:
Zac Taylor
ASSISTANT COACHES:
Lou Anarumo (defensive coordinator)
Colt Anderson (assistant special teams)
James Bettcher (linebackers)
Joey Boese (strength and conditioning)
Charles Burks (secondary/cornerbacks)
Brian Callahan (offensive coordinator)
James Casey (tight ends)
Louie Cioffi (defensive quality control)
Mark Duffner (senior defensive assistant)
Derek Frazier (assistant offensive line)
Justin Hill (running backs)
Marion Hobby (defensive line)
Todd Hunt (assistant strength and conditioning)
Jordan Kovacs (assistant linebackers)
Brad Kragthorpe (assistant wide receivers)
Robert Livingston (secondary/safeties)
Ben Martin (assistant offensive line)
Dan Pitcher (quarterbacks)
Frank Pollack (offensive line/run game coordinator)
Darrin Simmons (assistant head coach/special teams coordinator)
Garrett Swanson (assistant strength and conditioning)
Troy Walters (wide receivers)
STAFF:
Doug Rosfeld (director of coaching operations)