Mark Duffner

A Bengals assistant from 1997-2002, Mark Duffner returned to Cincinnati's coaching staff in '19 as senior defensive assistant. He now is in his 24th season as an NFL coach, and eighth with the Bengals' staff. Prior to his time in the NFL, Duffner coached 22 years in the college ranks, including 11 as a head coach.

Last season, Duffner helped guide the defense to one of the most significant late-season turnarounds in team history. Cincinnati notched 11 more sacks in the second half of 2019 compared to the first eight games, and allowed 84.1 fewer yards per game, including 57.5 fewer rushing yards and 26.6 fewer passing yards. Opposing QBs completed just 59.3 percent of their passes against the Bengals the second half of the season, compared to 64.3 percent over the first eight games.

Duffner spent 2016-18 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as linebackers coach, and served the last 11 games of 2018 as the Bucs' interim defensive coordinator after mid-season coaching staff changes. Over those 11 contests, Duffner's defense improved its yards allowed per game from 439.8 to 357.7, despite losing several defenders to injuries.

Under Duffner's guidance in 2017, Alexander earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl, and LB Lavonte David led the team in tackles and had five forced fumbles (second-most in the NFL) and a league-high five fumble recoveries.

From 2014-15, Duffner served as linebackers coach for the Miami Dolphins. There, he worked alongside several current Bengals coaches, including head coach Zac Taylor and defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.

Prior to his time with Miami, Duffner spent eight seasons (2006-13) as linebackers coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Under Duffner in 2013, LB Paul Posluszny became the Jags' first LB to earn a Pro Bowl nod in 14 seasons.

Duffner was named in 2014 as the top Jacksonville assistant coach by the Florida Times-Union on the All-20th Anniversary Jaguars Team. He also twice was voted by fans as Buccaneers Coach of the Year (in both 2017 and '18) as part of Tampa Bay's local PewterCast Awards.

From 2003-05, Duffner was linebackers coach for the Green Bay Packers, where he was instrumental in developing first-round draft pick Nick Barnett, who led the team in tackles in each of his three years under Duffner.

Duffner broke into the NFL coaching ranks with the Bengals from 1997-2002. He spent his first four seasons (1997-2000) as LBs coach, before moving to defensive coordinator for two seasons ('01-02). In 2001, the Bengals' defense allowed the fewest points (309) by a Cincinnati defense since 1989, and the fewest yards per game (302.0) since 1983. In addition, the 2001 defense set a single-season team record for sacks (48) that stood for 11 seasons.

At the college level, Duffner compiled an 80-40-1 record as a head coach for both the University of Maryland (1992-96) and The College of the Holy Cross (1986-91). With the Terrapins, Duffner helped the program return to the national rankings in 1995 for the first time in nine seasons. As head coach at Holy Cross, the Crusaders won five Patriot League championships, four Lambert Cups and four ECAC Team of the Year awards. Duffner's team also earned the No. 1 ranking in the final 1987 NCAA Division I-AA poll. He was named Patriot League Coach of the Year four times, while also earning National Coach of the Year honors in 1987 and '91. Duffner's .917 winning percentage (60-5-1) was the best in school and Patriot League history when he left the program. He was inducted into The College of Holy Cross Hall of Fame in 2008.

Duffner began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Ohio State under Woody Hayes from 1975-76 while he earned a master's degree. He then served as defensive coordinator at the University of Cincinnati from 1977-80.

Duffner was born July 19, 1953, in Annandale, Va.. He played college football at William & Mary from '72-74 (inducted into school's hall of fame in '90). He and his wife, Kathy, have two daughters, Christina and Carolyn, and one son, John, as well as three granddaughters (Camilla, Ava and Aria) and one grandson (Jackson).

Playing and coaching history: 1971-74—Played defensive line at William & Mary. 1975-76—Graduate assistant coach, Ohio State. 1977-80—Defensive coordinator, University of Cincinnati. 1981-85—Defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator, Holy Cross. 1986-91—Head coach, Holy Cross. 1992-96—Head coach, Maryland. 1997-2000—Assistant coach (AC), Bengals. 2001-02—Defensive coordinator, Bengals. 2003-05—AC, Green Bay Packers. 2006-13—AC, Jacksonville Jaguars. 2014-15—AC, Miami Dolphins. 2016-18—AC, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (interim defensive coordinator for final 11 games of '18). 2019-present—AC, Bengals.