Paul Guenther (born November 22, 1971) is an American football coach who is the defensive run game coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys. Guenther was the defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2014 to 2017 and the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders from 2018 to 2020.
| Dallas Cowboys | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Defensive run game coordinator |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | November 22, 1971 Richboro, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Council Rock North (Newtown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania) |
| College: | Ursinus |
| Career history | |
| As a coach: | |
| |
| Record at Pro Football Reference | |
Playing career
editGuenther played linebacker for the Ursinus Bears from 1990 to 1993 and was the team's most valuable defensive player twice. He set the Centennial Conference record for most career tackles with 355.[1]
Coaching career
editUrsinus College
editIn 1997, he was named head coach of his alma mater. He was the first Ursinus alumni to coach the school's football team since Ray Gurzynski in 1959 and at the age of 25, was the youngest head football coach at an NCAA college. He compiled a 25-18 record over his four seasons as head coach. Guenther announced his resignation on November 29, 2000, citing he and school president John Strassburger's "different expectations for the program." His .581 winning percentage was the third best in school history.[2]
West Texas State
editAfter leaving Ursinus, Guenther spent one season as the defensive backs coach at West Texas State.[3]
Washington Redskins
editGuenther was hired by the Washington Redskins as an offensive assistant in 2002. He assisted wide receivers coach Steve Spurrier Jr. and prepared a weekly scouting report on the next opponent's defense.[3]
Cincinnati Bengals
editIn 2004, Guenther was hired by the Cincinnati Bengals as an advance scout. He also assisted wide receivers coach Hue Jackson during training camp. He had previously worked with head coach Marvin Lewis in Washington.[4] He was a special teams and defensive assistant from 2006 to 2014, when he was promoted to defensive coordinator after Mike Zimmer left to become head coach of the Minnesota Vikings.[5]
Oakland / Las Vegas Raiders
editIn 2018, Guenther was hired by the Oakland Raiders as their defensive coordinator serving under head coach Jon Gruden. On December 13, 2020, Guenther was fired by the Raiders following a 44–27 loss against the Indianapolis Colts.
Minnesota Vikings
editOn February 10, 2021, Guenther was hired by the Minnesota Vikings as a senior defensive assistant, reuniting with head coach Mike Zimmer.[6]
Dallas Cowboys
editOn February 16, 2024, Guenther was hired by the Dallas Cowboys to serve as the team's defensive run game coordinator.[7]
Head coaching record
editCollege
edit| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ursinus Bears (Centennial Conference) (1997–2000) | |||||||||
| 1997 | Ursinus | 4–6 | 3–4 | 5th | |||||
| 1998 | Ursinus | 3–7 | 2–5 | T–6th | |||||
| 1999 | Ursinus | 10–2 | 6–1 | 2nd | L NCAA Division III Second Round | ||||
| 2000 | Ursinus | 8–3 | 5–2 | 3rd | L ECAC South | ||||
| Ursinus: | 25–18 | 16–12 | |||||||
| Total: | 25–18 | ||||||||
References
edit- ^ Beideman, Don (October 3, 2001). "Interboro graduate Moore setting marks at Gettysburg". Philadelphia Inquirer.
- ^ Guenther Resigns At Ursinus He Coached The Bears' Football Team For Four Years, Posting A 25-18 Record, Third Best In The College's History.
- ^ a b Fleischman, Bill (December 13, 2002). "For Guenther, rise to NFL exceptional: Former Division III Ursinus coach now an offensive assistant with Redskins". Philadelphia Daily News.
- ^ Curnutte, Mark (August 4, 2004). "Even veterans have learning to do". Cincinnati Enquirer.
- ^ Paul Guenther is Bengals' choice to replace Zimmer
- ^ Patra, Kevin (February 10, 2021). "Vikings hiring Paul Guenther as senior defensive assistant". NFL.com. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
- ^ "Paul Guenther joining Cowboys defensive staff as run game coordinator, reuniting with Mike Zimmer". cowboyswire.usatoday.com. Retrieved March 9, 2024.