New Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor ‘completes lifelong dream’

Zac Taylor fell in love with the city three years ago when he spent a season as offensive coordinator at the University of Cincinnati.

His return this week as the new Cincinnati Bengals head coach "completes a lifelong dream" in a place the former Los Angeles Rams offensive assistant feels comfortable.

»RELATED: 7 things to know about Zac Taylor

The Bengals introduced Taylor in a press conference Tuesday at Paul Brown Stadium, and as Director of Player Personnel Duke Tobin noted, it was obvious in his first session in front of the media why he earned the job. Tobin, who headed the search for Marvin Lewis’ replacement, said the conversation in Taylor’s interview flowed just like his initial address in front of the cameras on Tuesday.

 

»RELATED: Social media reacts to Taylor hiring

Taylor, 35, spent the last two seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, serving as the team’s quarterbacks coach in 2018 as he helped guide the Rams to a 13-3 regular-season record and trip to Super Bowl LIII, where they fell 13-3 to the New England Patriots on Sunday. A former quarterback at Nebraska, Taylor brings an offensive-minded approach that Bengals owner Mike Brown said is vital in today’s NFL.

»RELATED: Can Taylor light a fire under Bengals’ offense?

Brown said the organization also wanted to hire a young coach such as Taylor for the energy and openness to new ideas he would provide to a team in need of a spark. Taylor will be tasked with turning around a franchise that is coming off three straight losing seasons, including a 6-10 finish in 2018, and Taylor said he will begin by establishing a culture driven by communication and character.

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