1 00:00:03,800 --> 00:00:06,640 Speaker 1: Hi, get everybody. I'm Dan Hord and thanks for downloading 2 00:00:06,720 --> 00:00:13,080 Speaker 1: the Bengals Booth Podcast. The chit Chit changes addition as 3 00:00:13,119 --> 00:00:15,480 Speaker 1: we get to know two young coaches who have earned 4 00:00:15,480 --> 00:00:19,800 Speaker 1: promotions on the Bengals staff, new Quarterbacks coach Brad Kragthorpe 5 00:00:20,120 --> 00:00:24,400 Speaker 1: and new safety secondary coach Jordan Kovacs. The Bengals Booth 6 00:00:24,480 --> 00:00:26,840 Speaker 1: Podcast is brought to you by pay Core, proud to 7 00:00:26,840 --> 00:00:31,400 Speaker 1: be the Bengals official HR software provider, by Alta Fiber 8 00:00:31,520 --> 00:00:35,280 Speaker 1: future proof fiber Internet designed to elevate your home, business 9 00:00:35,280 --> 00:00:38,760 Speaker 1: and community to a new level, and by Kettering Health 10 00:00:39,159 --> 00:00:42,559 Speaker 1: the best care for the best fans. Kettering Health is 11 00:00:42,560 --> 00:00:46,440 Speaker 1: the official healthcare provider of the Bengals. Now here's a 12 00:00:46,479 --> 00:00:49,199 Speaker 1: quick reminder that you can have the latest edition of 13 00:00:49,240 --> 00:00:52,879 Speaker 1: this podcast delivered right to your phone, tablet, or computer 14 00:00:53,040 --> 00:00:57,120 Speaker 1: by subscribing wherever you get your podcasts. It's the greatest 15 00:00:57,120 --> 00:01:02,720 Speaker 1: thing since drivers who are ready at a light. We 16 00:01:02,760 --> 00:01:06,360 Speaker 1: all have pet peeves. Here's one of my biggest, and 17 00:01:06,440 --> 00:01:09,160 Speaker 1: it happened to me yesterday. You're in a line of 18 00:01:09,200 --> 00:01:12,760 Speaker 1: cars at a stop light. The light turns green, and 19 00:01:12,840 --> 00:01:15,880 Speaker 1: the person at the front of the line just sits there. 20 00:01:16,680 --> 00:01:20,080 Speaker 1: And sits there and by the time that person finally 21 00:01:20,160 --> 00:01:23,360 Speaker 1: hits the gas, you don't make it through the light. 22 00:01:24,120 --> 00:01:28,520 Speaker 1: Come on, people, we're all in this together. Green means go. 23 00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:36,280 Speaker 1: Rant concluded, Now let's get to football. When Brian Callahan 24 00:01:36,400 --> 00:01:39,360 Speaker 1: landed the Tennessee Titans head coaching job, it created a 25 00:01:39,440 --> 00:01:43,759 Speaker 1: domino effect on the Bengals staff. Dan Pitcher was promoted 26 00:01:43,760 --> 00:01:47,720 Speaker 1: from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator, and now his spot 27 00:01:48,040 --> 00:01:51,480 Speaker 1: has been filled by Brad Cragthorpe. If the last name 28 00:01:51,560 --> 00:01:54,800 Speaker 1: sounds familiar, his dad, Steve, was the head coach at 29 00:01:54,840 --> 00:01:58,760 Speaker 1: Louisville and Tulsa, and his grandfather, Dave, was the head 30 00:01:58,760 --> 00:02:02,880 Speaker 1: coach at South Dakota State, Idaho State, and Oregon State. 31 00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:06,720 Speaker 1: At the middle of those stops, he gave Marvin Lewis 32 00:02:07,000 --> 00:02:10,400 Speaker 1: his first coaching job. I spoke to thirty one year 33 00:02:10,440 --> 00:02:14,880 Speaker 1: old Brad Kragthorpe this week. Brad, your father and your 34 00:02:14,919 --> 00:02:18,560 Speaker 1: grandfather were college football head coaches. So you know what 35 00:02:18,600 --> 00:02:21,239 Speaker 1: you are getting into when you chose the coaching life. 36 00:02:21,280 --> 00:02:23,400 Speaker 1: What drew you to this profession. 37 00:02:24,200 --> 00:02:27,520 Speaker 2: Really everything involved with it. Initially I wanted to play 38 00:02:27,560 --> 00:02:29,680 Speaker 2: for as long as I could, and then once I 39 00:02:29,760 --> 00:02:32,480 Speaker 2: realized that I wasn't going to be able to play 40 00:02:32,520 --> 00:02:35,960 Speaker 2: as extensively as I ultimately wanted to. I knew that 41 00:02:36,560 --> 00:02:39,959 Speaker 2: I was eventually going to be drawn to coaching and 42 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:42,960 Speaker 2: so getting to be around my dad and my grandpa too, 43 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:45,840 Speaker 2: but my dad more specifically every day grown up, and 44 00:02:45,919 --> 00:02:47,320 Speaker 2: I was fortunate that he got to be a head 45 00:02:47,360 --> 00:02:50,440 Speaker 2: coach when I was in middle school and high school, 46 00:02:50,520 --> 00:02:53,640 Speaker 2: kind of formative years that really led to me falling 47 00:02:53,639 --> 00:02:56,920 Speaker 2: in love with the profession and being around the program, 48 00:02:56,960 --> 00:02:59,640 Speaker 2: getting to go to practices, going to meetings with him, 49 00:02:59,720 --> 00:03:03,040 Speaker 2: and doing all those things that not a lot of 50 00:03:03,040 --> 00:03:06,640 Speaker 2: other kids had the opportunity to do. I fell in 51 00:03:06,639 --> 00:03:09,840 Speaker 2: love with it then and knew that this was certainly 52 00:03:09,880 --> 00:03:10,639 Speaker 2: going to be my calling. 53 00:03:11,560 --> 00:03:13,760 Speaker 1: You've been with a Bengal since Zach Taylor's been the 54 00:03:13,800 --> 00:03:17,280 Speaker 1: head coach. What was the connection? How did you land 55 00:03:17,320 --> 00:03:18,359 Speaker 1: that initial spot? 56 00:03:19,040 --> 00:03:22,200 Speaker 2: So, Zach was on the staff at Texas A and 57 00:03:22,320 --> 00:03:26,160 Speaker 2: M in two thy and ten, and my dad had 58 00:03:26,200 --> 00:03:29,000 Speaker 2: just gotten let go at Louisville and had joined that 59 00:03:29,120 --> 00:03:31,760 Speaker 2: staff for just the off season, so the spring of 60 00:03:31,800 --> 00:03:34,960 Speaker 2: the summer, and we initially were going to be moving 61 00:03:34,960 --> 00:03:38,800 Speaker 2: down to College Station as a family and so I 62 00:03:38,840 --> 00:03:40,680 Speaker 2: was going down there during the summer to go to 63 00:03:40,680 --> 00:03:43,440 Speaker 2: all the camps and just hang out with my dad, 64 00:03:43,960 --> 00:03:46,680 Speaker 2: and Zach again was a GA on that staff, and 65 00:03:46,720 --> 00:03:49,160 Speaker 2: so he was coaching me in a lot of those 66 00:03:49,200 --> 00:03:52,680 Speaker 2: camps that I was going to. And then during my downtime, 67 00:03:52,720 --> 00:03:54,360 Speaker 2: I was just hanging out up at the facility in 68 00:03:54,400 --> 00:03:55,720 Speaker 2: the offensive staff meeting room. 69 00:03:56,160 --> 00:03:57,920 Speaker 3: Zach was the guy that has set up. 70 00:03:58,120 --> 00:04:00,800 Speaker 2: A computer and his whole office set up was in there, 71 00:04:00,800 --> 00:04:02,440 Speaker 2: and so I ended up hanging out quite a bit 72 00:04:02,480 --> 00:04:07,360 Speaker 2: of Zach and knew that again whenever I was graduating 73 00:04:07,400 --> 00:04:09,560 Speaker 2: from college and wanted to get into coaching, he was 74 00:04:09,600 --> 00:04:11,920 Speaker 2: one of the first people I hit up. And it 75 00:04:11,960 --> 00:04:15,520 Speaker 2: was when he was Offensive Cornara, you see, and I 76 00:04:16,320 --> 00:04:18,400 Speaker 2: initially was trying to get on his staff here as 77 00:04:18,400 --> 00:04:20,760 Speaker 2: a GA. It didn't work out then, but we were 78 00:04:20,800 --> 00:04:22,160 Speaker 2: able to reconnect three years later. 79 00:04:22,960 --> 00:04:24,320 Speaker 1: What's it like working here. 80 00:04:24,880 --> 00:04:28,560 Speaker 2: It's outstanding. I think this is the best organization in 81 00:04:28,600 --> 00:04:33,400 Speaker 2: the NFL. We have a very unique setup in the 82 00:04:33,440 --> 00:04:38,479 Speaker 2: ownership group that we have and their relationship and familiarity 83 00:04:38,600 --> 00:04:42,200 Speaker 2: with the game and understanding and perspective in the game, 84 00:04:42,400 --> 00:04:46,479 Speaker 2: and the family like atmosphere I think is second to 85 00:04:46,560 --> 00:04:51,360 Speaker 2: none here. Everybody is truly connected from the top down, 86 00:04:51,920 --> 00:04:55,120 Speaker 2: and I think that's that starts at the top with 87 00:04:55,160 --> 00:04:59,080 Speaker 2: mister Brown and then it trickles all the way down 88 00:04:59,360 --> 00:05:01,880 Speaker 2: through the rest of the organization, and it's something that 89 00:05:02,040 --> 00:05:05,280 Speaker 2: is intentionally cultivated and something I'm really really proud to 90 00:05:05,320 --> 00:05:05,760 Speaker 2: be a part of. 91 00:05:06,440 --> 00:05:10,240 Speaker 1: We're visiting with Brad Craigthorpe. You played quarterback your quarterbacks 92 00:05:10,320 --> 00:05:13,120 Speaker 1: coach now, but you have been working with other positions 93 00:05:13,600 --> 00:05:16,400 Speaker 1: in your time here in Cincinnati, including a two year 94 00:05:16,440 --> 00:05:20,000 Speaker 1: stint as the assistant wide receivers coach. Was that challenging 95 00:05:20,080 --> 00:05:22,160 Speaker 1: for you having been a quarterback and has it helped 96 00:05:22,160 --> 00:05:22,760 Speaker 1: your development? 97 00:05:24,760 --> 00:05:27,560 Speaker 2: It certainly helped my development in terms of viewing the 98 00:05:27,560 --> 00:05:31,440 Speaker 2: game from different perspectives. Like you said, playing quarterback growing 99 00:05:31,480 --> 00:05:34,520 Speaker 2: up my entire life, I really viewed the game through 100 00:05:34,520 --> 00:05:38,920 Speaker 2: that lens primarily all the way up until I graduated 101 00:05:38,920 --> 00:05:42,360 Speaker 2: from college, and so getting into the receiver room being 102 00:05:42,400 --> 00:05:44,919 Speaker 2: involved with the tight ends for one year in my 103 00:05:45,040 --> 00:05:49,880 Speaker 2: career has really opened my eyes to different areas of 104 00:05:49,880 --> 00:05:56,280 Speaker 2: offensive football and different ways that potentially issues could pop up, 105 00:05:56,320 --> 00:06:00,880 Speaker 2: issues could be resolved, and certainly gave me a perspective 106 00:06:01,040 --> 00:06:03,800 Speaker 2: and one that I'm appreciative for when it comes to 107 00:06:03,880 --> 00:06:07,760 Speaker 2: the totality of offensive football that maybe not quarterback. 108 00:06:07,800 --> 00:06:11,520 Speaker 3: Maybe quarterback might not specifically always see, but it is 109 00:06:11,560 --> 00:06:12,920 Speaker 3: something that he needs to be aware of. 110 00:06:13,800 --> 00:06:16,080 Speaker 1: So during training camp, we will see you as the 111 00:06:16,120 --> 00:06:20,279 Speaker 1: quarterbacks coach, conducting drills with the quarterbacks. But there's obviously 112 00:06:20,320 --> 00:06:23,440 Speaker 1: a lot more to the job than working on their fundamentals. 113 00:06:23,480 --> 00:06:27,480 Speaker 1: Your predecessor, Dan Pitcher was closely involved with the third 114 00:06:27,520 --> 00:06:31,279 Speaker 1: down package every week over the past few years. What 115 00:06:31,800 --> 00:06:36,640 Speaker 1: all encompasses the job of quarterbacks coach in this organization. 116 00:06:37,080 --> 00:06:40,000 Speaker 2: Well, I think first and foremost, it's getting the quarterback 117 00:06:40,480 --> 00:06:42,120 Speaker 2: prepared to play. 118 00:06:41,960 --> 00:06:43,640 Speaker 3: His absolute best on Sundays. 119 00:06:44,440 --> 00:06:47,920 Speaker 2: It starts with that, and then from there it's daily 120 00:06:47,960 --> 00:06:51,400 Speaker 2: improvement in all areas of the quarterback position for those guys, 121 00:06:52,120 --> 00:06:55,480 Speaker 2: finding different ways that we can improve on the field 122 00:06:55,600 --> 00:06:58,400 Speaker 2: off the field. And then obviously game planning is a 123 00:06:58,400 --> 00:07:01,200 Speaker 2: big portion of as well. Like you said, Dan was 124 00:07:01,240 --> 00:07:03,960 Speaker 2: heavily involved in the third down plan. We're still working 125 00:07:03,960 --> 00:07:06,719 Speaker 2: through all the responsibilities and who's gonna be doing what 126 00:07:06,839 --> 00:07:10,080 Speaker 2: when it comes to game plan responsibilities next year, but 127 00:07:10,680 --> 00:07:12,360 Speaker 2: that's certainly a part of it that I'm looking forward 128 00:07:12,400 --> 00:07:12,880 Speaker 2: to as well. 129 00:07:13,600 --> 00:07:16,200 Speaker 1: You are obviously going to be working closely with Joe Burrow, 130 00:07:16,360 --> 00:07:18,800 Speaker 1: and you got to know Joe before you got to Cincinnati. 131 00:07:18,800 --> 00:07:21,600 Speaker 1: You are on the staff at LSU back in twenty eighteen. 132 00:07:22,160 --> 00:07:24,480 Speaker 1: That was the year that he transferred from Ohio State 133 00:07:24,520 --> 00:07:27,760 Speaker 1: to LSU, and he hadn't played in a few years 134 00:07:28,040 --> 00:07:31,000 Speaker 1: at that point. What did Joe show you in that 135 00:07:31,080 --> 00:07:33,040 Speaker 1: first year at LSU. 136 00:07:33,880 --> 00:07:37,040 Speaker 2: A lot of the things that you're seeing now. Leadership 137 00:07:37,240 --> 00:07:39,320 Speaker 2: was the first thing that immediately jumped out at you. 138 00:07:39,840 --> 00:07:44,920 Speaker 2: Is his ability to authentically connect with his teammates and 139 00:07:45,080 --> 00:07:47,920 Speaker 2: the way that his teammates were drawn to him and 140 00:07:48,120 --> 00:07:50,840 Speaker 2: followed his example, which is not something that you typically 141 00:07:50,880 --> 00:07:53,680 Speaker 2: see from a transfer, So that was very unique. You 142 00:07:53,720 --> 00:07:57,280 Speaker 2: saw the toughness, you saw the decision making ability, and you. 143 00:07:57,200 --> 00:07:58,640 Speaker 3: Saw the accuracy as a passer. 144 00:07:59,200 --> 00:08:02,000 Speaker 2: And those are all traits that I think he is 145 00:08:02,200 --> 00:08:08,000 Speaker 2: elite at and ones that have really propelled him to 146 00:08:08,240 --> 00:08:10,200 Speaker 2: have the career that he's currently having. 147 00:08:10,760 --> 00:08:13,360 Speaker 1: Were you at all surprised the following season You weren't 148 00:08:13,360 --> 00:08:15,960 Speaker 1: there anymore, But when he had the Heisman Trophy season 149 00:08:15,960 --> 00:08:19,000 Speaker 1: and led LSU to an undefeated national championship, campaign. 150 00:08:19,360 --> 00:08:22,440 Speaker 2: I was not surprised by that, No, which might be 151 00:08:22,480 --> 00:08:24,920 Speaker 2: surprising to hear, but you could see, like you said, 152 00:08:24,960 --> 00:08:27,000 Speaker 2: he hadn't played a lot of football up until that point. 153 00:08:27,240 --> 00:08:29,600 Speaker 2: So that first season there was an element of knocking 154 00:08:29,600 --> 00:08:31,760 Speaker 2: the rust off. And we had a lot of young 155 00:08:31,760 --> 00:08:35,559 Speaker 2: players including Jamar Chase and Justin Jefferson and Clyde Edwards 156 00:08:35,600 --> 00:08:38,079 Speaker 2: Hilaire that had n't played a lot of football themselves, 157 00:08:38,160 --> 00:08:41,120 Speaker 2: college football at that level. And so we knew and 158 00:08:41,200 --> 00:08:44,360 Speaker 2: we saw as that season progressed in twenty eighteen and 159 00:08:44,480 --> 00:08:47,280 Speaker 2: we continue to get better and better and better on offense, 160 00:08:47,720 --> 00:08:49,800 Speaker 2: that with all of these guys returning the next year, 161 00:08:50,200 --> 00:08:52,679 Speaker 2: that we were ready to explode. 162 00:08:52,760 --> 00:08:55,760 Speaker 1: We're chatting with Brad Craigthorpe, the Bengals new quarterbacks coach. 163 00:08:55,840 --> 00:08:58,320 Speaker 1: The head coach at LSU back then was ed Orgeron. 164 00:08:58,440 --> 00:08:59,880 Speaker 1: I got to know ed a little bit when he 165 00:08:59,920 --> 00:09:04,199 Speaker 1: was the defensive line coach at Syracuse about thirty years ago. 166 00:09:04,760 --> 00:09:06,520 Speaker 1: What was it like to work for coach O and 167 00:09:06,559 --> 00:09:07,640 Speaker 1: what did you learn from him? 168 00:09:08,679 --> 00:09:10,440 Speaker 2: It was a unique experience and one that I'm very 169 00:09:10,480 --> 00:09:15,240 Speaker 2: grateful for. Predominantly, more than anything else, I learned how 170 00:09:15,280 --> 00:09:17,600 Speaker 2: to be a great recruiter under Coach O, which is 171 00:09:17,640 --> 00:09:20,560 Speaker 2: a vital part of being a good college football coach. 172 00:09:21,480 --> 00:09:25,960 Speaker 2: I learned the effort and the preparation and everything that 173 00:09:26,040 --> 00:09:30,360 Speaker 2: goes into recruiting that you might not naturally see that 174 00:09:30,440 --> 00:09:33,679 Speaker 2: goes on behind the scenes. So that was first and 175 00:09:33,720 --> 00:09:37,440 Speaker 2: foremost the thing that I learned from Coach oh. 176 00:09:37,520 --> 00:09:40,560 Speaker 3: And then beyond that, I learned how to motivate. 177 00:09:40,679 --> 00:09:43,920 Speaker 2: He, in my mind, is one of the best motivators, 178 00:09:44,840 --> 00:09:47,160 Speaker 2: and it was one of the best motivators in all 179 00:09:47,160 --> 00:09:51,559 Speaker 2: of college football whenever he was coaching LSU, and he 180 00:09:51,640 --> 00:09:56,480 Speaker 2: understands how to connect with guys and force them to 181 00:09:57,400 --> 00:10:01,679 Speaker 2: bring the best out in themselves. And that's something that 182 00:10:02,360 --> 00:10:04,960 Speaker 2: I took with me from my experience with him. 183 00:10:05,559 --> 00:10:07,440 Speaker 1: You obviously don't recruit in the same way in the 184 00:10:07,520 --> 00:10:10,520 Speaker 1: NFL as you do in college, but there's some recruiting involved, 185 00:10:10,520 --> 00:10:12,960 Speaker 1: whether it's the college free agency process for guys that 186 00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:17,680 Speaker 1: don't get drafted or actual free agency. Money's obviously a 187 00:10:17,760 --> 00:10:20,520 Speaker 1: key there. But do some of those recruiting lessons from 188 00:10:20,600 --> 00:10:22,080 Speaker 1: Coach O apply now. 189 00:10:23,400 --> 00:10:24,120 Speaker 3: In some ways? 190 00:10:24,280 --> 00:10:24,559 Speaker 4: Yeah? 191 00:10:24,679 --> 00:10:27,720 Speaker 2: I mean, like you said, there's a recruiting element involved 192 00:10:28,040 --> 00:10:30,199 Speaker 2: after the draft with some of the college free agents. 193 00:10:30,240 --> 00:10:35,040 Speaker 2: There's a recruiting element involved with pro free agents, But 194 00:10:35,520 --> 00:10:39,200 Speaker 2: more than anything, it taught me about the depths of 195 00:10:39,280 --> 00:10:42,199 Speaker 2: all the areas of coaching that you might not necessarily 196 00:10:42,240 --> 00:10:46,560 Speaker 2: see at face value, and so the depths of what 197 00:10:46,640 --> 00:10:49,400 Speaker 2: it takes to be a great recruiter, the effort, the preparation, 198 00:10:49,800 --> 00:10:52,360 Speaker 2: and everything that goes into it, I think applies across 199 00:10:52,360 --> 00:10:53,680 Speaker 2: a lot of levels of being a coach. 200 00:10:54,400 --> 00:10:56,880 Speaker 1: Let's get back to Joe Burrow for a second. What's 201 00:10:56,920 --> 00:10:59,920 Speaker 1: it take as a coach to earn his trust and respect. 202 00:11:03,040 --> 00:11:04,440 Speaker 3: I think it takes a couple of things. 203 00:11:04,440 --> 00:11:07,960 Speaker 2: I think that it takes knowledge of the position and 204 00:11:08,000 --> 00:11:11,200 Speaker 2: the offensive scheme. I think displaying that you have a 205 00:11:11,200 --> 00:11:13,880 Speaker 2: great understanding of what we're doing and why we're doing 206 00:11:13,920 --> 00:11:17,720 Speaker 2: it is really all that Joe wants in a coach 207 00:11:18,280 --> 00:11:21,040 Speaker 2: is someone that can guide him and help him make 208 00:11:21,080 --> 00:11:24,400 Speaker 2: the best decisions on Sunday, and then showing that you 209 00:11:24,440 --> 00:11:27,439 Speaker 2: care about him, showing that you always have his best 210 00:11:27,480 --> 00:11:34,080 Speaker 2: interest at heart, and displaying that ultimately you always just 211 00:11:34,120 --> 00:11:37,160 Speaker 2: want what's best for him. And I think that that's 212 00:11:37,200 --> 00:11:38,760 Speaker 2: something that he cares a lot about. 213 00:11:39,600 --> 00:11:42,240 Speaker 1: After he suffered his wrist injury, last year, Jake Browning 214 00:11:42,280 --> 00:11:44,400 Speaker 1: stepped in and did a terrific job. The team went 215 00:11:44,440 --> 00:11:46,319 Speaker 1: four and three, and the games that he started he 216 00:11:46,360 --> 00:11:49,720 Speaker 1: had a passer rating over ninety eight. What impressed you 217 00:11:49,800 --> 00:11:52,160 Speaker 1: most about Jake Browning when he stepped in as the 218 00:11:52,160 --> 00:11:53,400 Speaker 1: starting quarterback. 219 00:11:54,120 --> 00:11:58,280 Speaker 2: His poise, his composure, and his ability to distribute the 220 00:11:58,280 --> 00:12:01,120 Speaker 2: ball to all of the skilled players that we have, 221 00:12:01,920 --> 00:12:04,000 Speaker 2: which is something that we all expected Jake to do. 222 00:12:04,360 --> 00:12:06,520 Speaker 2: It may have seemed like a surprise to people on 223 00:12:06,559 --> 00:12:10,839 Speaker 2: the outside, but whenever Jake got his opportunity, the way 224 00:12:10,880 --> 00:12:13,000 Speaker 2: he played was not a surprise to anybody in this building, 225 00:12:13,040 --> 00:12:17,360 Speaker 2: including his teammates. And so Jake has a great understanding 226 00:12:17,400 --> 00:12:20,640 Speaker 2: of how to play the quarterback position and offensive football 227 00:12:20,720 --> 00:12:23,920 Speaker 2: as a whole, and he understands the big picture of everything, 228 00:12:24,360 --> 00:12:27,320 Speaker 2: and his ability to distribute, make great decisions and distribute 229 00:12:27,320 --> 00:12:30,040 Speaker 2: the football is as good as a lot of starters 230 00:12:30,040 --> 00:12:30,600 Speaker 2: in this league. 231 00:12:31,200 --> 00:12:33,400 Speaker 1: So, as we do this interview, the Bengals announced a 232 00:12:33,400 --> 00:12:36,360 Speaker 1: little while ago that aj McCarron has been released, So 233 00:12:36,440 --> 00:12:38,160 Speaker 1: the Bengals are going to be in the market. I 234 00:12:38,160 --> 00:12:41,960 Speaker 1: would think for a young, developmental type third string quarterback. 235 00:12:42,080 --> 00:12:45,080 Speaker 1: Will you be involved in scouting college players and possible 236 00:12:45,080 --> 00:12:45,680 Speaker 1: free agents. 237 00:12:46,160 --> 00:12:46,560 Speaker 3: I think so. 238 00:12:46,840 --> 00:12:51,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, I've kind of begun that process already and trying 239 00:12:51,160 --> 00:12:53,640 Speaker 2: to find some guys that potentially fit the mold of 240 00:12:53,679 --> 00:12:56,160 Speaker 2: what we're looking for. We'll see what that looks like 241 00:12:56,320 --> 00:13:00,439 Speaker 2: as this evaluation process unfolds over the next month or so, 242 00:13:01,080 --> 00:13:05,160 Speaker 2: but yeah, we're certainly looking for a guy that fits 243 00:13:05,600 --> 00:13:07,840 Speaker 2: what we want to bring into our quarterback room. 244 00:13:08,160 --> 00:13:10,800 Speaker 1: Let's talk a little bit about the Bengals offense. The 245 00:13:10,840 --> 00:13:14,040 Speaker 1: team finished sixteenth in points scored last year. You only 246 00:13:14,080 --> 00:13:16,880 Speaker 1: had a healthy Joe Burrow for five games. Are there 247 00:13:16,960 --> 00:13:22,040 Speaker 1: any obvious things that you think the offense must do 248 00:13:22,200 --> 00:13:23,720 Speaker 1: better in twenty twenty four. 249 00:13:25,520 --> 00:13:28,120 Speaker 2: I think that we can be more explosive as a unit, 250 00:13:28,640 --> 00:13:30,880 Speaker 2: whether that's in the run game or the pass game. 251 00:13:31,200 --> 00:13:34,280 Speaker 2: I think that's something that was really beneficial for us 252 00:13:34,320 --> 00:13:37,040 Speaker 2: in twenty twenty one and twenty twenty two is our 253 00:13:37,080 --> 00:13:41,000 Speaker 2: ability to create explosive plays on a consistent basis, and 254 00:13:41,760 --> 00:13:44,840 Speaker 2: that wasn't always a strength of ours last year, and 255 00:13:45,120 --> 00:13:48,120 Speaker 2: I think that would be an example of something that 256 00:13:48,160 --> 00:13:50,800 Speaker 2: we need to get back to moving into twenty twenty four. 257 00:13:51,559 --> 00:13:53,840 Speaker 1: All right, let's turn the clock back with you a 258 00:13:53,840 --> 00:13:56,920 Speaker 1: little bit. You were a backup quarterback at LSU and 259 00:13:56,960 --> 00:14:00,440 Speaker 1: the holder on field goals and pat and you were 260 00:14:00,480 --> 00:14:02,959 Speaker 1: involved in one of the great trick plays of all 261 00:14:03,040 --> 00:14:08,280 Speaker 1: time twenty fifteen LSU versus Florida. Both teams are undefeated, 262 00:14:08,280 --> 00:14:10,120 Speaker 1: both teams are in the top ten, the game is 263 00:14:10,120 --> 00:14:12,880 Speaker 1: tied to twenty eight in the fourth quarter. You pick 264 00:14:12,960 --> 00:14:14,000 Speaker 1: up the story from there. 265 00:14:15,520 --> 00:14:19,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's one of the benefits of being a holder 266 00:14:19,680 --> 00:14:24,000 Speaker 2: on a Less Miles coaching team is there's always a potential. 267 00:14:24,800 --> 00:14:26,920 Speaker 2: First of all, we always have a bunch of fake 268 00:14:26,920 --> 00:14:28,600 Speaker 2: field goals that are in the plan each week, and 269 00:14:29,040 --> 00:14:30,840 Speaker 2: there's always a potential that one of them is goetn't 270 00:14:30,840 --> 00:14:33,320 Speaker 2: get called in a high pressure moment like that one, 271 00:14:33,800 --> 00:14:37,760 Speaker 2: And so credit to coach Miles. He decided to pull 272 00:14:37,800 --> 00:14:42,000 Speaker 2: that one out and we were able to execute it well, 273 00:14:42,040 --> 00:14:45,960 Speaker 2: and our kicker, Trent Domain, was able to outrase their 274 00:14:46,000 --> 00:14:48,680 Speaker 2: guys to the end zone and the rest is history. 275 00:14:49,360 --> 00:14:52,480 Speaker 1: Now I'm going to describe your role a little bit. 276 00:14:53,040 --> 00:14:56,760 Speaker 1: You're there on a knee ready to hold, you catch 277 00:14:56,760 --> 00:14:59,640 Speaker 1: the snap, You put the ball down as if the 278 00:14:59,720 --> 00:15:02,360 Speaker 1: kicker about to approach it and kick it. But in 279 00:15:02,400 --> 00:15:05,200 Speaker 1: the meantime he is sprinting out to the left, so 280 00:15:05,280 --> 00:15:08,320 Speaker 1: you sell the fake. Then you throw the ball sideways 281 00:15:08,360 --> 00:15:12,480 Speaker 1: and he runs in untouched for the TD. How nervous 282 00:15:12,520 --> 00:15:14,280 Speaker 1: were you in front of one hundred and two thousand 283 00:15:14,360 --> 00:15:17,160 Speaker 1: people in Death Valley knowing that you've got to sell 284 00:15:17,200 --> 00:15:19,040 Speaker 1: this fake and make the throw. 285 00:15:19,840 --> 00:15:22,200 Speaker 2: In the moment, you really aren't that nervous. Maybe jogging 286 00:15:22,240 --> 00:15:24,000 Speaker 2: out there you feel the butterflies a little bit, but 287 00:15:24,400 --> 00:15:29,359 Speaker 2: once you get out there, you're looking for a certain criteria, 288 00:15:29,520 --> 00:15:31,640 Speaker 2: certain formation that you want the defense to be in, 289 00:15:31,680 --> 00:15:35,440 Speaker 2: and that's really your main focus. And then you know, 290 00:15:35,480 --> 00:15:39,200 Speaker 2: once the ball hits your hands, you just do what 291 00:15:39,240 --> 00:15:41,680 Speaker 2: your coach to do and you make the throw. 292 00:15:41,720 --> 00:15:42,320 Speaker 3: There really wasn't a. 293 00:15:42,280 --> 00:15:45,520 Speaker 2: Whole lot of nerves involved with it. The only thing 294 00:15:45,520 --> 00:15:47,960 Speaker 2: that was a little bit nervous or nerve racking about 295 00:15:47,960 --> 00:15:50,800 Speaker 2: that play is that it was a backward pass, and 296 00:15:50,840 --> 00:15:53,160 Speaker 2: so if it would have hit the ground, it would 297 00:15:53,160 --> 00:15:55,360 Speaker 2: have been a fumble, and then I would have became 298 00:15:55,400 --> 00:15:57,640 Speaker 2: a defender and potentially had to go and make a tackle, 299 00:15:58,360 --> 00:16:01,080 Speaker 2: which would have been a lot more nerve wracking than 300 00:16:01,320 --> 00:16:03,120 Speaker 2: just making a simple fifteen year throw. 301 00:16:04,000 --> 00:16:06,960 Speaker 1: So if I'm in baton rouge and I drop your 302 00:16:07,040 --> 00:16:11,000 Speaker 1: name at a bar, what's the likelihood that a rabid 303 00:16:11,040 --> 00:16:13,560 Speaker 1: Tigers fan is going to go, oh, my gosh, twenty 304 00:16:13,680 --> 00:16:15,320 Speaker 1: fifteen LSU Florida. 305 00:16:16,320 --> 00:16:20,000 Speaker 3: There's a chance. There's a chance. I don't know. I 306 00:16:20,000 --> 00:16:20,720 Speaker 3: don't feel like my. 307 00:16:20,640 --> 00:16:24,920 Speaker 2: Accolades at LSU are really all that impressive, but yeah, 308 00:16:25,120 --> 00:16:27,440 Speaker 2: there's a chance that someone my recognizement my name. 309 00:16:28,280 --> 00:16:30,920 Speaker 1: So you have ascended to quarterbacks coach here with the 310 00:16:30,920 --> 00:16:34,600 Speaker 1: Cincinnati Bengals. Zach Taylor as a quarterbacks coach. He's obviously 311 00:16:34,640 --> 00:16:38,160 Speaker 1: an NFL head coach. Brian Callahan was a quarterbacks coach elsewhere. 312 00:16:38,400 --> 00:16:41,000 Speaker 1: He's now the head coach of the Tennessee Titans. Is 313 00:16:41,040 --> 00:16:43,360 Speaker 1: that the ultimate goal in your future? 314 00:16:43,960 --> 00:16:45,080 Speaker 4: It is? It is? 315 00:16:45,480 --> 00:16:47,240 Speaker 2: It is my ultimate goal to become a head coach 316 00:16:47,240 --> 00:16:50,640 Speaker 2: in the NFL, and I feel very fortunate to be 317 00:16:50,680 --> 00:16:53,840 Speaker 2: in the position that I am right now, and it 318 00:16:53,920 --> 00:16:57,400 Speaker 2: is a multi step process, and I'm my sole focus 319 00:16:57,480 --> 00:16:59,480 Speaker 2: right now is just being the best quarterback coach that 320 00:16:59,520 --> 00:17:02,760 Speaker 2: I can for this sin SINETI Bengals. But yeah, ultimately 321 00:17:03,040 --> 00:17:06,640 Speaker 2: I do have the goal of being a head coach 322 00:17:06,680 --> 00:17:08,120 Speaker 2: in this league at one point in time. 323 00:17:08,200 --> 00:17:11,600 Speaker 1: Yea, I know you've worked very hard for this. Congratulations 324 00:17:11,640 --> 00:17:13,919 Speaker 1: on the opportunity and best of luck going forward. 325 00:17:14,160 --> 00:17:15,639 Speaker 3: Thank you, Dan, I really appreciate you having me. 326 00:17:16,440 --> 00:17:19,040 Speaker 1: The Bengals Booth podcast is brought to you by pay Corps, 327 00:17:19,080 --> 00:17:22,520 Speaker 1: Proud to be the Bengals official HR software provider, by 328 00:17:22,600 --> 00:17:26,760 Speaker 1: Alta Fiber future Proof Fiber Internet designed to elevate your home, business, 329 00:17:26,760 --> 00:17:30,160 Speaker 1: and community to a new level, and by Kettering Health 330 00:17:30,480 --> 00:17:33,879 Speaker 1: the best Care for the best fans. Kettering Health is 331 00:17:33,920 --> 00:17:37,879 Speaker 1: the official healthcare provider of the Bengals. In addition to 332 00:17:37,920 --> 00:17:41,439 Speaker 1: Brian Callahan leaving for Tennessee, the Bengals also lost a 333 00:17:41,440 --> 00:17:45,320 Speaker 1: member of the defensive staff as safeties coach Rob Livingston 334 00:17:45,440 --> 00:17:50,360 Speaker 1: left to become Dion Sanders defensive coordinator at the University 335 00:17:50,440 --> 00:17:55,160 Speaker 1: of Colorado. Rob Spott has been filled by Jordan Kovacs, 336 00:17:55,320 --> 00:17:57,639 Speaker 1: who's been on the staff for the last five years 337 00:17:57,920 --> 00:18:01,359 Speaker 1: after playing in the NFL for the Myami Dolphins. I 338 00:18:01,440 --> 00:18:04,359 Speaker 1: talked to Jordan about his background as well as the 339 00:18:04,440 --> 00:18:08,720 Speaker 1: young safeties he'll be coaching this year. Jordan, you are 340 00:18:08,760 --> 00:18:12,200 Speaker 1: from the Toledo area. You played college football at Michigan. 341 00:18:12,240 --> 00:18:15,600 Speaker 1: Congratulations on the national championship. By the way, your dad 342 00:18:15,680 --> 00:18:18,240 Speaker 1: is also a former Wolverine who was a reserve under 343 00:18:18,240 --> 00:18:22,440 Speaker 1: Boucham Beckler. Was that your childhood dream to play football there? 344 00:18:22,720 --> 00:18:25,600 Speaker 5: Yes, you know, I grew up in the big House. 345 00:18:25,600 --> 00:18:29,440 Speaker 5: I'd say we grew up with season tickets, so every 346 00:18:29,560 --> 00:18:31,960 Speaker 5: home game we were in the Big House, myself, my dad, 347 00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:35,439 Speaker 5: my brother, and Yeah, it was a lifelong dream to 348 00:18:35,440 --> 00:18:38,040 Speaker 5: play football there. And the road to get there was 349 00:18:38,200 --> 00:18:40,560 Speaker 5: a little whiny, a little kurvey at times, but it 350 00:18:40,640 --> 00:18:41,600 Speaker 5: ultimately worked out. 351 00:18:41,960 --> 00:18:44,320 Speaker 1: Well, let's talk about the road, because you eventually became 352 00:18:44,359 --> 00:18:47,280 Speaker 1: a captain and an All Big Ten safety, but you 353 00:18:47,359 --> 00:18:52,240 Speaker 1: started out as a walk on. Did you have opportunities elsewhere? 354 00:18:52,800 --> 00:18:54,440 Speaker 4: No, I didn't, you know, not really. 355 00:18:54,480 --> 00:18:58,960 Speaker 5: I would say D three schools had been calling Division 356 00:18:59,000 --> 00:19:02,040 Speaker 5: two schools. I went up to Hillsdale College and worked out. 357 00:19:02,040 --> 00:19:04,240 Speaker 5: At this point, you know, by my senior year of 358 00:19:04,280 --> 00:19:06,120 Speaker 5: high school, I was really just kind of looking for 359 00:19:06,200 --> 00:19:08,960 Speaker 5: any offer, just to more or less say I had 360 00:19:09,040 --> 00:19:12,000 Speaker 5: an offer. I went up to Hillsdale College and worked out, 361 00:19:12,040 --> 00:19:14,400 Speaker 5: and they didn't offer. They said I could walk on there, 362 00:19:14,640 --> 00:19:17,879 Speaker 5: and by that point I was pretty set on. You know, 363 00:19:17,960 --> 00:19:20,560 Speaker 5: once I got into school at Michigan, I'll try out 364 00:19:20,600 --> 00:19:22,360 Speaker 5: for the team whatever, it takes. I want to play 365 00:19:22,359 --> 00:19:24,920 Speaker 5: football at Michigan, and yeah, sure enough. 366 00:19:24,920 --> 00:19:25,639 Speaker 4: That's how it worked out. 367 00:19:25,680 --> 00:19:28,960 Speaker 5: I got into Michigan and was invited to an open 368 00:19:29,000 --> 00:19:31,760 Speaker 5: student body tryout the day the first day of school 369 00:19:31,800 --> 00:19:35,480 Speaker 5: at six in the morning. And you know, there's probably 370 00:19:35,480 --> 00:19:37,040 Speaker 5: a lot to the story. I don't want to bore you, 371 00:19:37,520 --> 00:19:40,200 Speaker 5: but the first tryout I made it failed to physical. 372 00:19:40,280 --> 00:19:43,080 Speaker 5: So I had to come back six months later after 373 00:19:43,119 --> 00:19:47,800 Speaker 5: the season and retry out for my second semester there. 374 00:19:48,040 --> 00:19:50,520 Speaker 5: And I made that tryout, went through springball, and then 375 00:19:50,880 --> 00:19:57,440 Speaker 5: was on the team after that. Why'd you fail at physical, Tormaniscus, Yeah, slightly, Torminiscus. 376 00:19:57,480 --> 00:20:00,840 Speaker 5: So I had arthur'scopic surgery my senior year of high 377 00:20:00,880 --> 00:20:03,679 Speaker 5: school and it still wasn't feeling great, and I probably 378 00:20:03,680 --> 00:20:06,760 Speaker 5: disclosed a little too much information in the physical and 379 00:20:07,119 --> 00:20:08,960 Speaker 5: learned the hard way. So then I was sent home. 380 00:20:09,119 --> 00:20:12,000 Speaker 5: I had to have a second knee surgery and got 381 00:20:12,040 --> 00:20:14,679 Speaker 5: it taken care of though, and retried out, you know, 382 00:20:14,720 --> 00:20:16,520 Speaker 5: the next January. 383 00:20:16,600 --> 00:20:19,119 Speaker 1: So when you have a path like that, walk on 384 00:20:19,520 --> 00:20:23,280 Speaker 1: to eventual team captain, All League player, eventually the NFL 385 00:20:23,320 --> 00:20:27,359 Speaker 1: will cover that at some point. Does that influence your 386 00:20:27,400 --> 00:20:29,959 Speaker 1: approach to things to this day. 387 00:20:30,119 --> 00:20:33,359 Speaker 5: Yeah, I mean sure, you know, I don't take anything 388 00:20:33,359 --> 00:20:35,840 Speaker 5: for granted. You know, I know how hard it took 389 00:20:35,920 --> 00:20:39,080 Speaker 5: to become a player really at Michigan, and then you know, 390 00:20:39,160 --> 00:20:41,600 Speaker 5: even more work to play in the NFL, and now, 391 00:20:42,160 --> 00:20:44,679 Speaker 5: you know, as a coach, and I just feel like, 392 00:20:45,800 --> 00:20:48,760 Speaker 5: you know, I've just tried to work hard and earn 393 00:20:48,840 --> 00:20:52,000 Speaker 5: everything that that's come my way, and I've taken pride 394 00:20:52,000 --> 00:20:54,040 Speaker 5: in that, and you know, it's just everything that my 395 00:20:54,520 --> 00:20:56,560 Speaker 5: parents instilled in me from day one, is just to 396 00:20:56,640 --> 00:20:59,720 Speaker 5: work hard and be tough, be respectful, be kind, and 397 00:20:59,760 --> 00:21:00,440 Speaker 5: be a person. 398 00:21:00,480 --> 00:21:01,639 Speaker 4: And good things happened. 399 00:21:01,640 --> 00:21:04,240 Speaker 5: And you know, I think that's more or less been 400 00:21:04,280 --> 00:21:06,200 Speaker 5: the story of my journey. 401 00:21:06,560 --> 00:21:08,960 Speaker 1: You played on a team that beat Ohio State. Now 402 00:21:09,080 --> 00:21:10,920 Speaker 1: you played on a team that won the Sugar Bowl. 403 00:21:11,000 --> 00:21:13,960 Speaker 1: What was the highlight of your entire Michigan experience in 404 00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:14,480 Speaker 1: Ann Arbor. 405 00:21:16,760 --> 00:21:19,640 Speaker 5: Well, if you as a Michigan fan, you know day one, 406 00:21:19,800 --> 00:21:22,720 Speaker 5: the one, the one game that has circled on your 407 00:21:22,720 --> 00:21:25,240 Speaker 5: calendar every year is the Ohio State Michigan game. And 408 00:21:25,280 --> 00:21:29,040 Speaker 5: I grew up obviously in Ohio, right, so I'm on 409 00:21:29,040 --> 00:21:32,600 Speaker 5: the in the battlegrounds are in Toledo. So the first thing, 410 00:21:32,640 --> 00:21:34,560 Speaker 5: most important thing I ever cared about was being Ohio 411 00:21:34,560 --> 00:21:37,520 Speaker 5: State and to get that win in twenty eleven was 412 00:21:37,840 --> 00:21:40,600 Speaker 5: you know, a huge, you know, huge win and probably 413 00:21:40,640 --> 00:21:42,720 Speaker 5: the highlight of my career. And then, as you mentioned 414 00:21:42,800 --> 00:21:45,000 Speaker 5: later that season, we played in the Sugar Bowl, went 415 00:21:45,000 --> 00:21:50,320 Speaker 5: down to New Orleans and played Virginia Tech. Had we 416 00:21:50,400 --> 00:21:52,840 Speaker 5: had a great game against Virginia. Virginia Tech came down 417 00:21:52,880 --> 00:21:54,720 Speaker 5: to a couple of miss field goals and I think 418 00:21:54,760 --> 00:21:57,040 Speaker 5: it went into overtime, but it was just a fun 419 00:21:57,119 --> 00:21:59,479 Speaker 5: way to cap a really big season. 420 00:22:00,520 --> 00:22:03,920 Speaker 1: We're chatting at safeties coach Jordan Kovacs. You weren't drafted, 421 00:22:04,080 --> 00:22:06,240 Speaker 1: but you signed with the Dolphins as a college free 422 00:22:06,280 --> 00:22:10,400 Speaker 1: agent and you made the team playing for three NFL seasons. 423 00:22:10,800 --> 00:22:14,000 Speaker 1: The defensive backs coach at the time was lou Anarumo. 424 00:22:14,560 --> 00:22:16,560 Speaker 1: Describe what it was like to play for lou Yeah. 425 00:22:16,680 --> 00:22:20,159 Speaker 5: I loved playing for lou you know, I guess just 426 00:22:20,280 --> 00:22:23,320 Speaker 5: my perspective from being an undrafted free agent was here 427 00:22:23,359 --> 00:22:25,359 Speaker 5: we go again. I'm walking on again, and I wouldn't 428 00:22:25,400 --> 00:22:27,760 Speaker 5: want it any other way. And the one thing I 429 00:22:27,840 --> 00:22:30,320 Speaker 5: always respected about Lou is it didn't matter how you 430 00:22:30,359 --> 00:22:33,320 Speaker 5: got there. You know, it was the same thing that 431 00:22:33,359 --> 00:22:35,600 Speaker 5: my coaches at Michigan told me. It was the best 432 00:22:35,640 --> 00:22:37,480 Speaker 5: players will play, the best players will make the team. 433 00:22:37,720 --> 00:22:41,080 Speaker 5: Doesn't matter if you're an undrafted free agent or if 434 00:22:41,080 --> 00:22:42,000 Speaker 5: you're a seventh round pick. 435 00:22:42,040 --> 00:22:42,680 Speaker 4: It didn't matter. 436 00:22:42,840 --> 00:22:46,600 Speaker 5: And I did respect that about Lou, and I really 437 00:22:46,680 --> 00:22:51,040 Speaker 5: enjoyed working with Lou and coach Coyle. Mark Duffner was 438 00:22:51,040 --> 00:22:53,880 Speaker 5: on the staff there. Zach Taylor was on the staff there, 439 00:22:53,920 --> 00:22:55,800 Speaker 5: so it was a really good staff and it was 440 00:22:55,800 --> 00:22:57,320 Speaker 5: a lot of fun to play down there in Miami. 441 00:22:57,680 --> 00:22:59,840 Speaker 1: How much did you interact with Zach since he was 442 00:22:59,840 --> 00:23:00,800 Speaker 1: the quarterbacks coach? 443 00:23:02,760 --> 00:23:04,560 Speaker 5: He probably got on my ass if I messed up 444 00:23:04,560 --> 00:23:07,520 Speaker 5: as scout cards, I would say that was probably about 445 00:23:07,560 --> 00:23:08,760 Speaker 5: the extent of the interactions. 446 00:23:08,800 --> 00:23:10,240 Speaker 4: But no, he was great. 447 00:23:10,280 --> 00:23:12,000 Speaker 5: I always had a lot of respect for Zach and 448 00:23:12,040 --> 00:23:13,960 Speaker 5: the way that he carried himself and the way he 449 00:23:14,000 --> 00:23:18,480 Speaker 5: coached the quarterbacks. But yeah, no, it was obviously a 450 00:23:18,520 --> 00:23:21,600 Speaker 5: great relationship, and really the reason that I'm here today. 451 00:23:22,119 --> 00:23:24,480 Speaker 1: Roughly ten years later, has Lou changed. 452 00:23:25,119 --> 00:23:26,960 Speaker 4: It's same Lou, same Lou. 453 00:23:27,119 --> 00:23:29,200 Speaker 5: You know, I think you know, probably where I've seen 454 00:23:29,200 --> 00:23:33,520 Speaker 5: the most growth is in how he leads a room. 455 00:23:33,840 --> 00:23:34,040 Speaker 4: You know. 456 00:23:34,440 --> 00:23:37,399 Speaker 5: I saw him as a player and I was, you know, 457 00:23:37,480 --> 00:23:40,040 Speaker 5: one of his players in his defensive backs room, and 458 00:23:40,240 --> 00:23:41,879 Speaker 5: I knew he was a leader then, and then just 459 00:23:41,880 --> 00:23:44,360 Speaker 5: seeing him evolve and being able to run a whole 460 00:23:44,400 --> 00:23:47,440 Speaker 5: defense right, And I think that he's just such a 461 00:23:47,480 --> 00:23:49,159 Speaker 5: good coach. He's grown in a lot of ways, and 462 00:23:49,520 --> 00:23:51,560 Speaker 5: I've always had a lot of respect for lou. 463 00:23:52,040 --> 00:23:54,400 Speaker 1: In your third year with Miami, there was a head 464 00:23:54,440 --> 00:23:57,840 Speaker 1: coaching change. Dan Campbell took over as the interim head 465 00:23:57,880 --> 00:24:00,280 Speaker 1: coach for the final twelve games of the season. And 466 00:24:00,640 --> 00:24:03,720 Speaker 1: we've all seen since he's been the Lions head coach, 467 00:24:03,840 --> 00:24:07,160 Speaker 1: the biting kneecap speech and some of the other amusing 468 00:24:07,200 --> 00:24:09,440 Speaker 1: things that he's done. What was it like to play 469 00:24:09,440 --> 00:24:10,159 Speaker 1: for Dan Campbell? 470 00:24:10,960 --> 00:24:11,960 Speaker 4: I loved playing for Dan. 471 00:24:12,640 --> 00:24:15,000 Speaker 5: He is very much He's from the old school, Bill 472 00:24:15,040 --> 00:24:20,320 Speaker 5: Parcells Tree and from day one. I'll never forget when 473 00:24:20,400 --> 00:24:22,280 Speaker 5: he took over. I think he took over on the 474 00:24:22,320 --> 00:24:26,680 Speaker 5: bye week, and it was very much competitions. Every day 475 00:24:26,800 --> 00:24:29,040 Speaker 5: we're going to compete in something. And early on in 476 00:24:29,080 --> 00:24:31,479 Speaker 5: that bye week it was Oklahoma Drill. It was some 477 00:24:31,560 --> 00:24:34,480 Speaker 5: tackling drills that you don't do in the NFL anymore, 478 00:24:35,040 --> 00:24:37,400 Speaker 5: and then eventually by you know, a few weeks down 479 00:24:37,440 --> 00:24:40,119 Speaker 5: the road, it was a pieh eating contest, it was 480 00:24:40,160 --> 00:24:43,400 Speaker 5: a frisbee throwing contest, but there was always some element 481 00:24:43,440 --> 00:24:44,240 Speaker 5: of competition. 482 00:24:44,359 --> 00:24:45,680 Speaker 4: And again, I. 483 00:24:45,640 --> 00:24:47,879 Speaker 5: Have a lot of respect for Dan the way that 484 00:24:47,920 --> 00:24:50,760 Speaker 5: he's run things, or that he did run things, and 485 00:24:51,080 --> 00:24:53,919 Speaker 5: it's not surprising at all to me the level of 486 00:24:54,000 --> 00:24:56,000 Speaker 5: success that he's had as the head coach of the Lions. 487 00:24:56,640 --> 00:24:59,359 Speaker 1: We're chatting with safeties coach Jordan Kovacs. When did you 488 00:24:59,400 --> 00:25:00,440 Speaker 1: get the coach bug? 489 00:25:01,760 --> 00:25:02,639 Speaker 4: That's a great question. 490 00:25:02,720 --> 00:25:06,959 Speaker 5: I would say it was early in my playing career 491 00:25:06,960 --> 00:25:07,640 Speaker 5: at Michigan. 492 00:25:09,320 --> 00:25:09,639 Speaker 4: You know, I. 493 00:25:11,160 --> 00:25:13,240 Speaker 5: Played under Brady Hoak and I just had a lot 494 00:25:13,280 --> 00:25:15,159 Speaker 5: of respect for the way. I love the way that 495 00:25:15,200 --> 00:25:19,240 Speaker 5: he interacted with players and the influence that I felt 496 00:25:19,280 --> 00:25:21,760 Speaker 5: like he had on kids and that he had on 497 00:25:21,880 --> 00:25:24,000 Speaker 5: his players, and he was a father figure to a 498 00:25:24,000 --> 00:25:28,280 Speaker 5: lot of guys, and I just you know, I remember 499 00:25:28,400 --> 00:25:31,280 Speaker 5: one day in warmups, warm ups, just watching coach Hoak 500 00:25:31,320 --> 00:25:33,240 Speaker 5: walk around and interacting with the guys and thinking, you 501 00:25:33,240 --> 00:25:35,119 Speaker 5: know what, I think, that's what I want to do 502 00:25:35,160 --> 00:25:36,800 Speaker 5: one day. You know, I want to I want to 503 00:25:36,880 --> 00:25:38,679 Speaker 5: lead I want to be. I want to be a 504 00:25:38,720 --> 00:25:41,359 Speaker 5: football coach and a leader of men. And you know, 505 00:25:41,400 --> 00:25:43,359 Speaker 5: he's certainly a guy that I've always looked up to. 506 00:25:44,560 --> 00:25:47,679 Speaker 1: You played safety in college and in the NFL, and 507 00:25:47,720 --> 00:25:49,840 Speaker 1: you're going to be coaching the safeties and other members 508 00:25:49,840 --> 00:25:52,360 Speaker 1: of the secondary now here in Cincinnati. But since you've 509 00:25:52,400 --> 00:25:55,199 Speaker 1: been here, you've coached different positions. You've been with the 510 00:25:55,240 --> 00:25:59,119 Speaker 1: linebackers the last few years. Was that by design and 511 00:25:59,200 --> 00:26:01,000 Speaker 1: has it helped your overall understanding? 512 00:26:02,000 --> 00:26:04,119 Speaker 5: Yeah, I think that that's kind of how I always 513 00:26:04,400 --> 00:26:08,280 Speaker 5: approached this thing. You know, I knew early as a 514 00:26:08,320 --> 00:26:10,480 Speaker 5: young coach that it would be beneficial for me to 515 00:26:10,560 --> 00:26:12,479 Speaker 5: just be exposed to as much of the game as 516 00:26:12,480 --> 00:26:14,400 Speaker 5: I could, especially on the defensive side of the ball. 517 00:26:14,440 --> 00:26:16,560 Speaker 5: And Frank, I'll take you back even further. When I 518 00:26:16,560 --> 00:26:20,320 Speaker 5: first got into coach and I worked at Michigan as 519 00:26:20,359 --> 00:26:22,760 Speaker 5: a GA under coach Harball, and I told coach I 520 00:26:22,760 --> 00:26:25,239 Speaker 5: wanted to work with the defensive line, and that was 521 00:26:25,720 --> 00:26:29,439 Speaker 5: where Greg Madison was coaching at the time. And you know, 522 00:26:29,480 --> 00:26:32,399 Speaker 5: the defensive line, really the line of scrimmage is so 523 00:26:32,520 --> 00:26:34,919 Speaker 5: much different than anything that I had ever been exposed to, 524 00:26:35,000 --> 00:26:37,480 Speaker 5: and it really took me a long time to really 525 00:26:37,600 --> 00:26:42,200 Speaker 5: see and feel what you're coaching up front, but looking back, 526 00:26:42,359 --> 00:26:45,000 Speaker 5: that was invaluable. It probably took me months to really 527 00:26:45,359 --> 00:26:49,879 Speaker 5: understand what good technique looked like, and it has proven 528 00:26:49,880 --> 00:26:52,160 Speaker 5: to be invaluable. And then, yeah, getting here, I'm talking 529 00:26:52,160 --> 00:26:54,280 Speaker 5: with Zach. You wanted He and I both thought it 530 00:26:54,280 --> 00:26:56,640 Speaker 5: would be beneficial for me to be in the linebacker room, 531 00:26:57,000 --> 00:27:00,040 Speaker 5: and yes, I've done that for five years now, and 532 00:27:00,280 --> 00:27:02,520 Speaker 5: I do think that that it does bring a lot 533 00:27:02,560 --> 00:27:07,920 Speaker 5: of valuability to my perspective now from the defensive back room, 534 00:27:08,040 --> 00:27:10,959 Speaker 5: just knowing how those linebackers are coached, where they're going 535 00:27:11,040 --> 00:27:13,679 Speaker 5: to be and we're all tied together. So yes, you know, 536 00:27:13,800 --> 00:27:15,600 Speaker 5: starting from the front all the way to the back, 537 00:27:15,640 --> 00:27:17,640 Speaker 5: it's proven to be invaluable. 538 00:27:17,680 --> 00:27:18,720 Speaker 4: I think. So. 539 00:27:18,840 --> 00:27:21,200 Speaker 1: Now that you've taken over as the Bengals safeties coach, 540 00:27:21,320 --> 00:27:25,119 Speaker 1: let's discuss the safeties, beginning with your fellow Michigan Wolverine 541 00:27:25,200 --> 00:27:28,800 Speaker 1: Dax Hill. How would you characterize his first season as 542 00:27:28,800 --> 00:27:30,000 Speaker 1: a starter last year? 543 00:27:30,359 --> 00:27:34,120 Speaker 5: Yeah, you know, it's obviously experience is the most important 544 00:27:34,119 --> 00:27:37,680 Speaker 5: thing in anything, and especially in the National Football League, 545 00:27:37,720 --> 00:27:41,720 Speaker 5: and he's been great. He's got the skill set right, 546 00:27:41,880 --> 00:27:47,800 Speaker 5: Dax's he can cover, and that doesn't you know, that's 547 00:27:47,840 --> 00:27:49,679 Speaker 5: not easy to come by for safeties. 548 00:27:50,960 --> 00:27:52,120 Speaker 4: He's had high highs. 549 00:27:52,240 --> 00:27:54,720 Speaker 5: He's made some really good plays, and I'm sure he'd 550 00:27:54,760 --> 00:27:56,040 Speaker 5: be the first to tell you that there's a few 551 00:27:56,040 --> 00:27:58,080 Speaker 5: plays that he'd like back, but that's what happens when 552 00:27:58,119 --> 00:28:01,240 Speaker 5: you're a young safety. And he's done a great job 553 00:28:01,440 --> 00:28:04,480 Speaker 5: just kind of trying to get a little better over 554 00:28:04,520 --> 00:28:07,400 Speaker 5: the course of the season. So I have high expectations 555 00:28:07,400 --> 00:28:09,240 Speaker 5: for Dax. I'm looking forward to working with him, and 556 00:28:09,280 --> 00:28:11,800 Speaker 5: I expect him to make even bigger strides this year. 557 00:28:12,440 --> 00:28:14,199 Speaker 1: I know he played a lot of slot corner his 558 00:28:14,320 --> 00:28:17,639 Speaker 1: final year at Michigan. Is that a big transition? 559 00:28:18,440 --> 00:28:18,680 Speaker 4: Yeah. 560 00:28:18,680 --> 00:28:22,280 Speaker 5: I mean, anytime you're going from nickel to safety, there 561 00:28:22,600 --> 00:28:25,080 Speaker 5: is a transition, and there's a learning curve, and you know, 562 00:28:25,280 --> 00:28:27,680 Speaker 5: once you're on the back end of this thing, you're 563 00:28:28,600 --> 00:28:31,600 Speaker 5: really the quarterback of the defense. And I'm sure he's 564 00:28:32,000 --> 00:28:34,840 Speaker 5: I know he's continuing to learn and grow there. And 565 00:28:34,920 --> 00:28:38,120 Speaker 5: you know, communication, in my opinion, is one of the 566 00:28:38,120 --> 00:28:40,360 Speaker 5: areas that we've got to take a huge step forward. 567 00:28:40,400 --> 00:28:43,000 Speaker 5: Right we're the quarterback, we're running the defense. We've got 568 00:28:43,040 --> 00:28:45,520 Speaker 5: to communicate, make sure everybody's on the same page, because 569 00:28:45,760 --> 00:28:48,120 Speaker 5: you have a bust on the back end and it's 570 00:28:48,480 --> 00:28:50,960 Speaker 5: a touchdown, right, we can't afford those sorts of things, 571 00:28:51,000 --> 00:28:54,680 Speaker 5: those sorts of miscommunications. So I expect him to do 572 00:28:54,680 --> 00:28:56,080 Speaker 5: a great job in that area. 573 00:28:56,800 --> 00:28:59,320 Speaker 1: Is communicating the biggest key to cutting down on some 574 00:28:59,360 --> 00:29:01,000 Speaker 1: of the big plays allowed last year. 575 00:29:01,320 --> 00:29:01,800 Speaker 4: Yeah. 576 00:29:01,840 --> 00:29:04,400 Speaker 5: Absolutely, communication and tackling. I think those are two of 577 00:29:04,400 --> 00:29:06,040 Speaker 5: the most important things that we can do on our 578 00:29:06,080 --> 00:29:09,200 Speaker 5: back end, and two areas that again we're looking to 579 00:29:09,200 --> 00:29:09,920 Speaker 5: improve this year. 580 00:29:11,080 --> 00:29:13,520 Speaker 1: Jordan Battle stepped in as a rookie. He started the 581 00:29:13,520 --> 00:29:15,080 Speaker 1: final seven games of the season. 582 00:29:15,400 --> 00:29:18,280 Speaker 4: How do you do I thought he played played well 583 00:29:18,320 --> 00:29:20,040 Speaker 4: for a rookie. You know, I think he did. 584 00:29:20,400 --> 00:29:25,960 Speaker 5: Again, there's a lot that comes with just playing time, 585 00:29:26,040 --> 00:29:28,360 Speaker 5: and these guys are continuing to learn and continuing to 586 00:29:28,400 --> 00:29:33,080 Speaker 5: get better. Jordan's a physical player, He's very comfortable in 587 00:29:33,080 --> 00:29:36,120 Speaker 5: the box. He sees the game naturally. He's a good 588 00:29:36,160 --> 00:29:39,200 Speaker 5: safety and again another guy them looking forward to working with. 589 00:29:40,040 --> 00:29:45,160 Speaker 1: So I think the official title is safety's slash secondary coach. 590 00:29:45,200 --> 00:29:48,480 Speaker 1: You're working closely with cornerbacks coach Chuck Burks. Let's talk 591 00:29:48,520 --> 00:29:51,120 Speaker 1: about the corners a little bit. You've got two talented 592 00:29:51,160 --> 00:29:55,440 Speaker 1: young ones in Cam Taylor Britt and DJ Turner. Do 593 00:29:55,520 --> 00:29:57,760 Speaker 1: you look at those two guys as potentially two of 594 00:29:57,800 --> 00:29:59,520 Speaker 1: the better young cornerbacks in the NFL. 595 00:30:00,040 --> 00:30:00,800 Speaker 4: Yeah, no doubt. 596 00:30:00,800 --> 00:30:05,120 Speaker 5: I think really since Cam's been here, he's just he's 597 00:30:05,320 --> 00:30:08,440 Speaker 5: he's he's the real deal outside. He can cover, and 598 00:30:08,480 --> 00:30:11,000 Speaker 5: I think what I like most about Cam is he's tough. 599 00:30:11,320 --> 00:30:13,440 Speaker 5: You know, he'll come up and he'll hit you, he'll tackle, 600 00:30:14,320 --> 00:30:16,800 Speaker 5: and he's the total package there. And then yeah, Dj 601 00:30:16,920 --> 00:30:20,760 Speaker 5: is obviously same thing. You know, he's he's he's a 602 00:30:20,760 --> 00:30:24,280 Speaker 5: guy that can run. He's got the skill set. Obviously, again, 603 00:30:24,360 --> 00:30:26,560 Speaker 5: it was his rookie year, so there's some high highs 604 00:30:26,640 --> 00:30:28,719 Speaker 5: or some low lows. That's that's what happens when you're 605 00:30:28,760 --> 00:30:31,880 Speaker 5: a rookie. And he has improved quite a bit over 606 00:30:31,880 --> 00:30:34,040 Speaker 5: the course of the season and a guy that again 607 00:30:34,080 --> 00:30:36,120 Speaker 5: we look forward to getting in here this spring and 608 00:30:36,160 --> 00:30:37,040 Speaker 5: continuing to work. 609 00:30:37,720 --> 00:30:40,360 Speaker 1: So the combine is right around the corner. What will 610 00:30:40,400 --> 00:30:42,800 Speaker 1: your responsibilities be when it comes to the draft. 611 00:30:43,600 --> 00:30:46,920 Speaker 5: Uh, yeah, so I'll be working obviously with the safeties. 612 00:30:47,760 --> 00:30:49,680 Speaker 5: I'm looking forward to really, you know, the combine. You 613 00:30:49,720 --> 00:30:51,680 Speaker 5: can kind of get up and get there see him 614 00:30:51,720 --> 00:30:55,560 Speaker 5: in person. You get to interact with them and interview 615 00:30:55,600 --> 00:30:58,240 Speaker 5: each guy. So I'll be evaluating all the safeties and 616 00:30:58,280 --> 00:31:00,560 Speaker 5: helping Chuck with the corners as need be. And you 617 00:31:00,600 --> 00:31:02,640 Speaker 5: know again, I look forward to kind of get my 618 00:31:02,680 --> 00:31:04,880 Speaker 5: hands on these guys and seeing them up close and personal. 619 00:31:05,760 --> 00:31:08,960 Speaker 1: It's not easy to become a position coach at this level, 620 00:31:09,080 --> 00:31:10,920 Speaker 1: the highest level of football. What's it mean to you 621 00:31:10,960 --> 00:31:11,960 Speaker 1: to get this opportunity. 622 00:31:12,400 --> 00:31:15,360 Speaker 5: I'm just grateful, you know, I'm excited. I'm really, really, 623 00:31:15,360 --> 00:31:17,760 Speaker 5: really excited to just work with these guys. It's a 624 00:31:17,760 --> 00:31:20,719 Speaker 5: fresh start for all of us. And just grateful from 625 00:31:21,080 --> 00:31:25,320 Speaker 5: Zach and Taylor and mister Brown and lou An Rumo 626 00:31:25,640 --> 00:31:28,160 Speaker 5: just for the opportunity and I'm looking forward to making 627 00:31:28,200 --> 00:31:29,080 Speaker 5: the most of it. 628 00:31:29,120 --> 00:31:32,560 Speaker 1: Seems like a great collaboration in this building. What's it 629 00:31:32,720 --> 00:31:34,719 Speaker 1: like to be a member of the Bengals coaching staff. 630 00:31:34,960 --> 00:31:38,080 Speaker 5: Yeah, I think that that starts, you know, up top 631 00:31:38,160 --> 00:31:39,240 Speaker 5: with with Zach. 632 00:31:40,480 --> 00:31:41,840 Speaker 4: You know, it's all hands on deck. 633 00:31:42,120 --> 00:31:44,320 Speaker 5: He does a great job of He's an excellent leader, 634 00:31:44,400 --> 00:31:47,680 Speaker 5: just does a great job of delegating tasks and trusting 635 00:31:47,720 --> 00:31:51,480 Speaker 5: in his coaches, and you know, again, I'm grateful for 636 00:31:51,520 --> 00:31:52,920 Speaker 5: the opportunity and looking forward to it. 637 00:31:53,560 --> 00:31:56,680 Speaker 1: I know you have grinded hard to earn this opportunity. 638 00:31:56,720 --> 00:31:59,640 Speaker 1: Congratulations and we look forward to a visiting with you 639 00:31:59,680 --> 00:32:00,520 Speaker 1: and the way to come. 640 00:32:00,760 --> 00:32:01,920 Speaker 4: Thanks Dan, I appreciate it. 641 00:32:02,800 --> 00:32:04,480 Speaker 1: That's going to do it for this episode of the 642 00:32:04,480 --> 00:32:07,480 Speaker 1: Bengals Booth Podcast, brought to you by pay Core, Proud 643 00:32:07,480 --> 00:32:11,480 Speaker 1: to be the Bengals Official HR software provider, by Alta 644 00:32:11,560 --> 00:32:14,920 Speaker 1: Fiber future proof fiber Internet designed to elevate your home, 645 00:32:15,000 --> 00:32:18,400 Speaker 1: business and community to a new level, and by Kettering 646 00:32:18,440 --> 00:32:22,160 Speaker 1: Health the best care for the best fans. Kettering Health 647 00:32:22,280 --> 00:32:25,600 Speaker 1: is the official healthcare provider of the Bengals. If you 648 00:32:25,600 --> 00:32:28,880 Speaker 1: haven't done so already, please subscribe to this podcast and 649 00:32:29,000 --> 00:32:30,840 Speaker 1: if you have a minute, give it a rating or 650 00:32:30,920 --> 00:32:34,840 Speaker 1: share a comment that helps more Bengals fans find us. 651 00:32:35,320 --> 00:32:38,640 Speaker 1: I'm Dan Hord and thanks for listening to The Bengals 652 00:32:38,680 --> 00:32:39,880 Speaker 1: Booth Podcast.