Raiders Coach Profile: Paul Guenther, Defensive Coordinator

We're all counting down the clock until football is back. Now, it's time to get to know the coaches. Today, we meet the leader of the Raiders defense, defensive coordinator Paul Guenther.

Paul Guenther, Defensive Coordinator

Paul Guenther is entering his third year with the Raiders organization as a defensive coordinator, his 18th season in the NFL.

Guenther brings six seasons worth of defensive coordinating experience under his belt, including four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. In 2015, as the defensive coordinator in Cincinnati, he helped guide his squad to an AFC North title. He helped the Bengals win the AFC North title three other times--in 2005, 2009 and 2013--in various roles within the Bengals organization.

Guenther helped bring the Bengals to the postseason seven times, including a franchise-record five straight between 2011-15.

During his tenure as the defensive coordinator in Cincinnati from 2014-17, his unit allowed just over 20 points per game. That was good for fifth in the league. He also emphasized the turnover game, and his defense forced 69 interceptions during his four-year tenure.

During his final season in Cincinnati, his defense held opponents to just under five yards per play, good for sixth in the league. His defense was one of only seven in the league that year to have at least four players book five sacks during the season.

More recently, with the Raiders in 2019, his defense allowed just over 98 rushing yards per game, good for eighth in the NFL. Working with an injury-filled squad, he helped develop players like rookie defensive end Maxx Crosby, who had 36 solo tackles and an impressive 10 sacks, even with limited playing time due to injury.

With a mix of youngsters and veterans on his defense squad, if we look at his past and the defensive empire he helped build in Cincinnati, Guenther has the knowledge and ability to continue building his new empire with the Raiders.

A location change for the franchise allows for a new atmosphere and new motivation for the want and hunger to get wins.

Combine this with keeping his players healthy, and the free agency moves this off-season, such as the signing of veteran cornerback Prince Amukamara from the Chicago Bears and safety Damarious Randall from the Cleveland Browns, and Guenther has an excellent opportunity to create a defensive powerhouse.

If Guenther can take the time to understand each player's specialty and utilize it well on the field, we could be looking at a top-10 defense in the league this season.

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