JUST IN: Teryl Austin likely to be named Bengals DC

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It appears as though the Teryl Austin era in Detroit has all but officially come to an end.

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As reported by NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, the Cincinnati Bengals are in negotations to bring Austin aboard as their new defensive coordinator. He’ll replace Paul Guenther, who is expected to join Jon Gruden on the Oakland Raiders coaching staff. 

Austin has been a member of Detroit’s coaching staff since 2014 under the recently fired Jim Caldwell, with whom he had an extensive history. They were both assistants at Penn State under Joe Paterno, after which they both spent time at Wake Forest.

Under Austin, Detroit’s defense ranked second, 18th, 18th and 27th in yards allowed respectively from 2014 to 2017. They also finished third, 23rd, 13th and 21st in points per game allowed.

Austin served as the Baltimore Ravens secondary coach from 2011 to 2013, and was also the defensive backs coach for the Arizona Cardinals from 2007 to 2009. He helped the Cardinals reach Super Bowl XLIII, though they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Austin has also served as defensive coordinator for the Florida Gators in 2010.

Though neither was expected to be hired as head coach, GM Bob Quinn interviewed both Austin and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter for the head coaching position. The Lions are continuing to interview candidates, but reports indicate that they’re likely to hire New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.

They allowed Austin to interview with the Bengals, but elected to deny permission to the Green Bay Packers from speaking with Austin as NFL rules allow teams to do.