Coaches

Paul Alexander is in his 17th season on the Bengals coaching staff, tied for third-most in Bengals history among head coaches, coordinators and position coaches. The only Bengals coaches with more seasons are current RBs coach Jim Anderson (27) and former head coach and assistant Dick LeBeau (19). Tied with Alexander at 17 seasons is former head coach and assistant Bruce Coslet.

Alexander is in his 16th straight season as offensive line coach, and he is also the team’s assistant head coach, promoted to that position in 2003 when Marvin Lewis took over as head coach.

Alexander’s offensive line was rated a question mark entering the 2009 season, as RG Bobbie Williams was the only player returning to the same primary spot he played in ’08. Season-opening Ts Andrew Whitworth and Anthony Collins had only 19 career T starts between them, and C Kyle Cook was a second-year pro whose only action in five career games had been on special teams.

Adjustments were necessary as the season went on. Second-year pro Dennis Roland took over the RT spot. At LG, second-year pro Nate Livings and fifth-year player Evan Mathis rotated. Meanwhile, Alexander continued to work with T Andre Smith, whose anticipated contribution as a first-round draft choice was delayed by protracted contract talks and later a foot injury.

But the results in the end were a success, as the line strongly supported a 10-6 Bengals record and the AFC North Division title. Cincinnati’s run blocking helped spring eight rushing games of 100 or more yards by individual backs, breaking the franchise record of six. Three different rushers combined for those eight 100-yarders, only the second time in club history that three rushers had a 100-yard game in a season.

The leader of the pack was RB Cedric Benson, whose six 100-yarders broke the club record for one individual. But when Benson missed Games 10 and 11 with a hip injury, the Bengals still did not lack for 100-yard performances, as rookie Bernard Scott rushed for 119 on Nov. 22 at Oakland and veteran Larry Johnson gained 107 on Nov. 29 vs. Cleveland. After the Browns game, Johnson said:

“It was only my second game (as a Bengal), and every time I took the ball to the right place, the hole was there, just like it was drawn up.”

Also in 2009, the line led a pass protection that ranked ninth in the NFL in fewest sacks allowed (29). And twice since 2005, the Bengals have set new franchise records for fewest sacks allowed, led by a record 17 in ’07.

On Oct. 22, 2000, Alexander’s line shared the glory of a 278-yard rushing game by RB Corey Dillon vs. Denver. It was an NFL record at the time, and it still stands fourth in league annals entering the 2010 season. The Bengals’ 407 total rushing yards in that game rank as the fifth-highest single-game total in NFL history, and as the most rushing yards in 59 years. The last team to top it was the New York Giants, who gained 423 against Baltimore in 1950.

Alexander began his NFL coaching career in 1992 as tight ends coach of the N.Y. Jets, under head coach Bruce Coslet. When Coslet moved to Cincinnati as offensive coordinator in 1994, Alexander joined him, in the role of Bengals tight ends coach.

But Alexander’s first love in football was always the offensive line. He was afforded the chance to take over that job for the Bengals in 1995, and has held it ever since.

Alexander is a product of distinguished teachers. He coached under Joe Paterno at Penn State and Bo Schembechler at Michigan. He also was offensive line coach at Central Michigan, a school whose coach, Herb Deromedi, ranks with Paterno and Schembechler among the winningest coaches in NCAA Division I history.

Alexander’s birthdate is Feb. 12, 1960. He’s a native of Rochester, N.Y., where he attended Cardinal Mooney High School. He was an Academic All-American at Cortland State (N.Y.) and holds a master’s degree in exercise physiology from Penn State. Off the field, he is actively involved with the Boy Scouts, the D.A.R.E. program and high school linemen camps.

He and his wife, Kathy, have three daughters — Mary Beth, Carolyn and Emily.

PLAYING AND COACHING HISTORY - 1979-81: Played offensive tackle at Cortland State. 1982-84: Graduate assistant, Penn State. 1985-86: Graduate assistant, Michigan. 1987-91: Assistant coach (AC), Central Michigan. 1992-93: AC, New York Jets. 1994-2002: AC, Bengals. 2003-present: Assistant head coach/offensive line coach, Bengals.