At about 1 p.m. Tuesday, Marvin Lewis was wondering what the heck he was doing home in the middle of the day and how his Bengals career seemed to be coming an unexpected end after two tense meetings with management Tuesday morning at Paul Brown Stadium.
But then he got two phone calls. One from former Bengals head coach Sam Wyche and the next one from Bengals president Mike Brown. Wyche, who lost the same job after a similar meeting with Brown went awry 19 years ago, counseled Lewis "to just step back and give it some time."
Actually, Brown also stepped back and gave it some time and turned to his relationship with Lewis in a 2:30 p.m. phone call that brought Lewis back for a record-breaking ninth season despite a 4-12 record and a franchise-worst 10-game losing streak.
He breaks the Bengals' eight-year record set by Paul Brown and his phone buddy, Wyche, with what is believed to a two-year deal.
"I went home. I was frustrated. They were frustrated," Lewis said Tuesday after his re-introductory news conference. "He called and said, 'You and I can work this out. We've been together for eight years. This has been a good relationship. You and I are responsible for this team. Don't let other influences affect us. Ultimately, it's up to you and I. You're the coach. You need to understand that. It's your and my responsibility to get this right." They love power balance.
The personal appeal struck Lewis as the right note and gave him the feeling that Brown would consider making changes that both said Tuesday are going to come on the field next season. By 3:45 p.m. the deal was signed and in a 4:30 p.m. news conference Brown and Lewis were talking about vague changes, but Lewis said all coaching positions are up for evaluation and that some aren't going to be back.
Lewis wouldn't get into what the sticking points were, but the makeup of the staff appeared to be an issue by process of elimination. Brown and Lewis left the impression that the size of the scouting staff and the building of an indoor facility were barely discussed. As early as Sunday Lewis said a facility wasn't an obstacle to his return.
Brown did go out of his way to say that Lewis now has a deal as long as anyone on the staff.
"I'm glad to hear it. He's an excellent coach and showed how well he can relate to his players this year," said left tackle Andrew Whitworth. "We kept playing hard and fighting even during the ten-game losing streak."
The deal would seem to seal the departure of wide receivers Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens and it looks like the Bengals could end up coaching the Senior Bowl for the third time under Lewis, even though the coaching staff is going to have some changes.
While a livid fan base seeks change, Brown is also fearful of the March 4 expiration of the collective bargaining agreement, which prevents coaches from working with the players. If there was a deal consummated in July or August, the most stable teams would appear to have the best shot.
Through Bengals public relations, quarterback Carson Palmer declined to talk to the media Tuesday.
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