Ken Zampese is in his 10th season as Bengals quarterbacks coach. After guiding Andy Dalton in 2011 to one of the top statistical seasons for a rookie QB in NFL history, Zampese looks to help Dalton build on his success with the benefit of a full offseason and a year of familiarity with the Cincinnati offense.
Ken Zampese is in his 10th season as Bengals quarterbacks coach. After guiding Andy Dalton in 2011 to one of the top statistical seasons for a rookie QB in NFL history, Zampese looks to help Dalton build on his success with the benefit of a full offseason and a year of familiarity with the Cincinnati offense.
As a rookie in 2011, Dalton started all 16 games, posting team and league records en route to a playoff berth and a spot in the Pro Bowl. He passed 300-for-516 (58.1 percent), for a Bengals rookie record of 3398 yards, with 20 TDs and 13 INTs (80.4 rating). Dalton became the first rookie in NFL history to throw 20 or more TD passes while starting eight or more victories, and he became only the fifth rookie to pass for 3000 yards.
A second-round draft pick (35th overall), Dalton also became the only NFL rookie QB not drafted in the first round to start 16 games for his team, much less start 16 games and lead his team into the playoffs. Four of the nine Bengals victories in 2011 were fourth-quarter comebacks led by Dalton, and backup Bruce Gradkowski also led a fourth-quarter comeback win.
Prior to Dalton’s arrival, Zampese helped guide Carson Palmer to the ranks of the all-time top Bengals passers. Palmer, who spent eight years in Cincinnati, finished his Bengals career as the team’s all-time leader in passer rating (86.9) and completion percentage (62.9), and he still holds season records for completions (373), passing yards (4131), TD passes (32) and passer rating (101.1).
In 2003, his first season with the Bengals, Zampese had success with a veteran starting quarterback in Jon Kitna. The ’03 campaign saw Kitna post career highs at that point in completions (324), passing yards (3591), TD passes (26), completion percentage (62.3) and rating (87.4).
Zampese (pronounced “zam-PEE-zee”) came to the Bengals following three seasons (2000-02) in St. Louis. With the Rams, he had an expanding role with a passing offense that ranked among the NFL’s most prolific.
Zampese joined the Rams in 2000 as an offensive assistant. He was promoted to wide receivers coach in 2001, and the Rams led the league in passing yards for a second straight year, averaging 291.4. In 2002, he added the title of passing game coach, and the Rams finished second in the league at 259.6 yards per game.
Zampese began his NFL career in 1998 as an offensive assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles under head coach Ray Rhodes. He moved with Rhodes to Green Bay in 1999 before beginning his stint with the Rams.
Prior to entering the NFL, Zampese coached for nine years in college. He had one Cincinnati-area assignment, as passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 1996-97 at Miami (Ohio). In ‘97, Miami averaged 37.4 points per game.
Zampese played wide receiver and kick returner at the University of San Diego from 1985-88. He was the team’s Special Teams Player of the Year as a senior. He earned an undergraduate degree in business from San Diego, and later received a master’s degree in adult education from Southern California.
Zampese was born July 19, 1967, in Santa Maria, Calif. He and his wife have two children. Ken’s father, Ernie Zampese, was a longtime NFL offensive coordinator who coached on a Super Bowl winner with the 1995 Cowboys, and he also coached for the Chargers, Rams and Patriots.
PLAYING AND COACHING HISTORY - 1985-88: Played wide receiver, kickoff returner and punt returner at University of San Diego. 1989: Assistant coach (AC), University of San Diego. 1990-91: AC, Southern California. 1992-94: AC, Northern Arizona. 1995: Offensive coordinator, Northern Arizona. 1996-97: AC, Miami (Ohio). 1998: AC, Philadelphia Eagles. 1999: AC, Green Bay Packers. 2000-02: AC, St. Louis Rams. 2003-present: AC, Bengals.
