I remember when the Bengals first hired Marvin Lewis. Being the defensive coordinator for the Super Bowl Baltimore Ravens meant that he would bring a new defensive mentality and a winning tradition to the Queen City. His pedigree and calm optimism brought great hope to Bengals fans and, in a city less than two years removed from racial riots, it didn't hurt that he was Black.
It didn't happen quickly but overtime Marvin was able to clean the roster and put together one of the best teams in Bengals history. In his time with the Bengals, Lewis has amassed the most victories as a head coach, the most playoff appearances as a head coach, and NFL Coach of the Year in 2009. However, the big cloud hanging over his career has grown into something like a donut-shaped cloud like the spaceship in Independence Day.
as much as I love Marvin Lewis and what he's done for the Cincinnati Bengals, the community, and the city of Cincinnati itself, I think it's time to realize that he has maximized his potential and in order for the franchise to move forward, it must be under different leadership. I don't say this because I don't like Marvin, in fact I do. But when I look at the numbers are staggering that he still has a job in this league.
Consider this:
Of all the coaches in NFL playoff history that are winless, Lewis leads them all with seven losses. The recent loss to the Steelers on Saturday moved him out of a tie held between him and Jim Mora at 0-6. Sticking with Marvin through seven playoff losses, the Bengals have maintained trust in Lewis three years longer than any other franchise being led by a coach with a winless playoff record. The next highest is four but the Saints got rid of Jim Mora before he could lose a fifth in a row.
In NFL playoff coaching history, there are five other coaches with a 7 in their L column. The average value in their win column: 9.6.
Before Marvin came to Cincinnati a .500 season was a good year. Three years into his tenure in Cincinnati and the Bengals were 11-5 and AFC North Champs. Cincinnati has had four straight ten-win seasons and currently has arguably the most talented roster in the league. His accomplishments should not go unnoticed. He recreated a culture of regular season success at Paul Brown Stadium.
But in order for the Cincinnati Bengals to move forward, they must cut ties with, statistically, the worst coach a team could have ever had in a playoff game.
The most recent reports are that Marvin Lewis' job is safe.