The Cincinnati Bengals are turning the page on a disappointing 2025 season and have their sights set on ending their now three-year playoff drought in 2026.Before all attention is focused on the scouting combine later this month, the Bengals have announced their 2026 coaching staff is in place.There is no change at the top, after head coach Zac Taylor was publicly given a vote of confidence in his abilities to take the Bengals back to the playoffs by by team president Mike Brown last month.Also remaining from 2025 are Taylor’s two leading assistants, offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher and defensive coordinator Al Golden.Pitcher received interest from other teams this offseason for openings, most notably from the Browns for their head coaching opening and the Buccaneers for their offensive coordinator opening, but is returning for his third season as Cincinnati’s OC.Despite allowing the third-most points on a per-game basis in 2025, Al Golden is returning as Cincinnati’s DC in 2026, looking to continue the overhaul of the unit that completely shifted to it’s new young core early last year.The philosophy was most evidenced by the mid-season benching, and subsequent trade, of captain Logan Wilson in favor of 2025 fourth-round draft pick Barrett Carter.Below is the Bengals’ 2026 coaching staff, announced by the team Friday.Zac Taylor (head coach)Joey Boese (director of player performance/head strength and conditioning)Charles Burks (secondary/cornerbacks)James Casey (tight ends/run game coordinator)Sean Desai (senior defensive assistant)Al Golden (defensive coordinator)Justin Hill (running backs)Mike Hodges (linebackers)Ben Jacobs (assistant special teams)Davis Koetter (assistant wide receivers)Jordan Kovacs (secondary/safeties)Brad Kragthorpe (quarterbacks)Michael McCarthy (assistant offensive line)Jerry Montgomery (defensive line/run game coordinator)Mike Moon (assistant defensive line)Scott Peters (offensive line)Dan Pitcher (offensive coordinator)Justin Rascati (pass game coordinator)Ronnie Regula (assistant linebackers)Jordan Salkin (assistant quarterbacks)Darrin Simmons (assistant head coach/special teams coordinator)Diamond Simmons (assistant strength and conditioning)Garrett Swanson (assistant strength and conditioning)Troy Walters (wide receivers)Doug Rosfeld (chief of coaching staff)The next major milestones for Cincinnati’s offseason are the combine (Feb. 23-March 2), free agency opening with the new league year (March 11) and the 2026 draft (April 23-25).
CINCINNATI —
The Cincinnati Bengals are turning the page on a disappointing 2025 season and have their sights set on ending their now three-year playoff drought in 2026.
Before all attention is focused on the scouting combine later this month, the Bengals have announced their 2026 coaching staff is in place.
There is no change at the top, after head coach Zac Taylor was publicly given a vote of confidence in his abilities to take the Bengals back to the playoffs by by team president Mike Brown last month.
Also remaining from 2025 are Taylor’s two leading assistants, offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher and defensive coordinator Al Golden.
Pitcher received interest from other teams this offseason for openings, most notably from the Browns for their head coaching opening and the Buccaneers for their offensive coordinator opening, but is returning for his third season as Cincinnati’s OC.
Despite allowing the third-most points on a per-game basis in 2025, Al Golden is returning as Cincinnati’s DC in 2026, looking to continue the overhaul of the unit that completely shifted to it’s new young core early last year.
The philosophy was most evidenced by the mid-season benching, and subsequent trade, of captain Logan Wilson in favor of 2025 fourth-round draft pick Barrett Carter.
Below is the Bengals’ 2026 coaching staff, announced by the team Friday.
Zac Taylor (head coach)Joey Boese (director of player performance/head strength and conditioning)Charles Burks (secondary/cornerbacks)James Casey (tight ends/run game coordinator)Sean Desai (senior defensive assistant)Al Golden (defensive coordinator)Justin Hill (running backs)Mike Hodges (linebackers)Ben Jacobs (assistant special teams)Davis Koetter (assistant wide receivers)Jordan Kovacs (secondary/safeties)Brad Kragthorpe (quarterbacks)Michael McCarthy (assistant offensive line)Jerry Montgomery (defensive line/run game coordinator)Mike Moon (assistant defensive line)Scott Peters (offensive line)Dan Pitcher (offensive coordinator)Justin Rascati (pass game coordinator)Ronnie Regula (assistant linebackers)Jordan Salkin (assistant quarterbacks)Darrin Simmons (assistant head coach/special teams coordinator)Diamond Simmons (assistant strength and conditioning)Garrett Swanson (assistant strength and conditioning)Troy Walters (wide receivers)Doug Rosfeld (chief of coaching staff)
The next major milestones for Cincinnati’s offseason are the combine (Feb. 23-March 2), free agency opening with the new league year (March 11) and the 2026 draft (April 23-25).