The Bengals promoted linebackers coach Paul Guenther to defensive coordinator after their former defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer became the Vikings’ head coach, and now Cincinnati has a new linebackers coach to replace Guenther.
Matt Burke, who spent the last five seasons as linebackers coach of the Lions, is now linebackers coach of the Bengals.
In Detroit Burke worked for Jim Schwartz, who coaches his linebackers much like Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis does. Schwartz was the linebackers coach of the Ravens from 1996 to 1998, when Lewis was the Ravens’ defensive coordinator.
“We’re fortunate to get a coach of Matt’s quality and experience to move into this spot,” Lewis said in a statement. “Matt has come up under the system of Jim Schwartz, starting with Jim at the Tennessee Titans and then moving on when Jim got the head coaching job at Detroit. He was one of Jim’s hand-picked guys, and I think most people know how much I respect Jim as a friend and colleague. Matt did great work with developing the young linebackers at Detroit, and he brings ideas and perspective from another system, which is something great for us to have as a staff.”
Prior to joining the Lions when Schwartz became their head coach, Burke spent five seasons on the staff of the Titans.