Cincinnati Bengals Announce 3 Hirings, 1 of Which Is Newly Created Position on Offense

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals moved quickly to replace safeties coach Robert Livingston, who left to become the defensive coordinator at Colorado on Wednesday, promoting assistant linebackers coach Jordan Kovacs as one of three moves announced today.

In addition to promoting Kovacs, the Bengals elevated Brad Kragthorpe to quarterbacks coach and hired Justin Rascati to be the passing game coordinator, a new position on the staff.

Bengals Announce New Hires to Coaching Staff

For Kovacs, 33, this will be his sixth season with the team. Head coach Zac Taylor hired him as part of his first staff in 2019, assigning him defensive quality control duties. Taylor then promoted Kovacs to assistant linebackers coach in 2022.

Kovacs played safety for the Miami Dolphins from 2013-15, when Taylor and Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo were on the staff in Miami. Anarumo was Kovacs’ position coach.

Prior to joining the Bengals, Kovacs was on the staff at the University of Michigan, his alma mater, for two seasons.

Bengals announce coaching updates

➡️ https://t.co/FhtP3jQX2S pic.twitter.com/vcoqoaKip2

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) February 8, 2024

Kragthorpe, 31, also joined the Bengals as part of Taylor’s first staff in 2019, working as an offensive assistant for two seasons before being promoted to assistant wide receivers coach in 2021, and working with first-round pick Ja’Marr Chase.

This past season was Kragthorpe’s first as assistant quarterbacks coach, working under Dan Pitcher, who two weeks ago was promoted to offensive coordinator after Brian Callahan left to become the head coach of the Tennessee Titans.

MORE: Bengals an Early Betting Favorite for Super Bowl 59

Prior to joining the Bengals, Kragthorpe was an assistant offensive coach at LSU in 2018, working with both Joe Burrow and Chase. Kragthorpe was a backup QB for LSU from 2012-15.

New #Bengals passing game coordinator Justin Rascati turns 40 today.

Milestone day on multiple accounts for the James Madison University Athletic Hall of Famer.

— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) February 8, 2024

Rascati, who turned 40 today, comes to the Bengals after two seasons as the assistant offensive line coach for the Minnesota Vikings. He was an offensive quality control coach with the Denver Broncos from 2019-21.

Prior to his NFL coaching career, Rascati was an assistant in the college ranks for seven years.

He was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga from 2017-18, the OC at Tennessee Tech in 2016, the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach at Tennessee-Martin in 2014-15, and quarterbacks coach at Weber State in 2012-13.

Last July, Rascati was inducted into the James Madison University Athletic Hall of Fame. He was a three-year starter at quarterback, leading the Dukes to the first Division I-AA national championship in 2004.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!