Despite 4-12 season, Lewis will stay as Bengals coach

Associated Press

CINCINNATI

The front office won’t change significantly. The Bengals will still be practicing in the cold. Even with all that, Marvin Lewis decided to stay.

Lewis agreed to an unspecified contract extension on Tuesday that will make him the longest-tenured coach in club history. Owner Mike Brown agreed to changes in the coaching staff and the roster as part of a deal that left both sides comfortable.

The Bengals are coming off a 4-12 season and have had only two winning records in the last 20 years — both under Lewis, who is 60-69-1 in eight seasons, including losses in both playoff appearances.

“We are close to being the kind of team we can be,” Brown said. “I think continuity will give us the best shot at becoming that team. We have a good relationship, Marvin and I. We work well together. It isn’t an easy relationship, but it’s a good one.”

Lewis wanted to stay, but only if there were changes in how the team operates. The team initially offered an extension last season, when the Bengals were on their way to winning the AFC North title.

The coach and owner met on Monday and talked about what Lewis needed to stay. They had more discussions on Tuesday morning and reached an agreement in the afternoon.

“When you consider all things, looking forward and so forth, I think this is the right spot for me to be,” Lewis said. “I’m not happy with where we are. It’s not finished. I came here to do a certain thing and we’re not done. I just felt that way.

“I really came to the realization this morning that this is what I wanted to do.”

Brown said the uncertainty over the collective bargaining agreement was a factor, though not a major one, in wanting to keep Lewis. He implied that the extension was for at least two years, but wouldn’t be more specific.

“And I would say this: I think we’re going to have a better year next year, and it might get longer than that real fast,” Brown said.