CINCINNATI (AP) - Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis signed a one-year contract extension Friday, keeping him on the job through the 2015 season.
Lewis has led the Bengals to three straight playoff berths, a first for the franchise that began play in 1968. But the Bengals are 0-5 in the playoffs under Lewis.
His 90 career victories are the most in Bengals history by 26 over Sam Wyche (64). His record is 90-85-1 in the regular season. Lewis’ 11 seasons are the most for a Bengals head coach.
“I’m blessed to continue to do a job I love here in Cincinnati,” said Lewis, 55. “I truly appreciate the commitment by our management to continue to enable us to build an NFL championship team.”
The Bengals went 11-5 last season and won the AFC North. They fell at home to San Diego in the wild-card playoff round after losses to Houston the previous two years in the opening week of the postseason.
Still, Lewis has brought continuity and organization to the Bengals, even if they have not won a playoff game since the 1990 season.
Lewis lost both coordinators in the offseason, with Mike Zimmer becoming head coach in Minnesota and Jay Gruden taking over in Washington.
“Marvin has earned this commitment for the job he is doing,” said Bengals president Mike Brown. “We are one of only five teams to qualify for the playoffs the last three years, and our prospects are bright looking ahead. Marvin is driven to achieve more, and we are happy to secure his leadership of our team beyond the coming season.”
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