James Bettcher is in his third season with the Bengals in 2024, after joining the staff in '22 as linebackers coach.
In 2023, Bettcher once again worked with the talented LB duo of fourth-year pro Logan Wilson and fifth-year pro Germaine Pratt. Each player recorded a career high in tackles, as Wilson's team-leading 135 stops were the most by a Bengal since 2013 (Vontaze Burfict, 171), while Pratt topped the 100-tackle mark for the first time (118). The duo also combined to record 11 takeaways, tying for the most in the NFL by any LB tandem, highlighted by Wilson's four INTs that tied for the team lead.
Wilson and Pratt led the team in tackles in 2022 under Bettcher's guidance, as Wilson posted a then-career-high 123 stops and Pratt tallied 99. The pair helped Cincinnati rank sixth in the NFL in points allowed (20.1 per game) and seventh in rushing yards allowed (106.6).
Bettcher came to the Bengals from the San Francisco 49ers, where he spent the 2021 season as senior defensive assistant/running game specialist. That season, the 49ers ranked third leaguewide in total yards allowed (310.0 per game) and seventh in rushing yards allowed (103.5).
Bettcher spent the 2018-19 seasons as defensive coordinator with the N.Y. Giants. In 2019, he oversaw a Giants defense that ranked third in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per attempt (3.86). In 2018, while coaching alongside current Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, who served as the Giants' DBs coach, Bettcher helped S Landon Collins and LB Olivier Vernon earn Pro Bowl selections.
Bettcher spent five seasons on the Arizona Cardinals' staff (2013-17), including the final three as defensive coordinator. Arizona ranked in the top six in the NFL in total defense in each year Bettcher held the DC title, while also ranking fourth in takeaways (82) and defensive TDs (11) in that span. The Cardinals were third in rushing yards allowed per play and sixth in third-down defense in 2017, and in '16 they led the league with 48 sacks. Bettcher guided six players to Pro Bowl selections and four to All-Pro honors as defensive coordinator, after spending his first two years in Arizona as outside linebackers coach.
Bettcher first entered the NFL in 2012 as special assistant to the head coach for the Indianapolis Colts. During that season, Bruce Arians stepped in as interim head coach for 12 games while Chuck Pagano received treatment for leukemia. With Bettcher's assistance, Arians led the team to a playoff berth and was named AP NFL Coach of the Year.
Before joining the Colts, Bettcher spent nine years in the college coaching ranks. He served as linebackers/special teams coach at the University of New Hampshire in 2011, after coaching defensive ends and special teams at Ball State University in '10.
Bettcher was a graduate assistant at the University of North Carolina from 2007-09, working primarily with the defense. He helped develop DL Robert Quinn, who went on to become a 2011 first-round NFL draft pick. Prior to UNC, Bettcher spent one season (2006) as a defensive graduate assistant at Bowling Green State University, working with the secondary and special teams units.
Bettcher began his coaching career at his alma mater, the University of St. Francis (Ind.), where he served as special teams coordinator and defensive line coach from 2003-05. With Bettcher on staff, the Cougars earned three berths to the NAIA playoffs, including two national championship game appearances.
Bettcher was a two-time NAIA Coaches All-American as an offensive lineman during his playing career at St. Francis (1999-2002). In his senior season in 2002, he received the team's Silver Helmet Award for leadership, coachability and performance on the field. He also competed on the school's track and field team, earning five All-America honors. He was inducted into the St. Francis Hall of Fame in 2012.
Bettcher was born in Lakeville, Ind. He and his wife, Erica, have three sons — Colton, Brooks and Cruz — and one daughter, Addison.
Playing and coaching history: 1999-2002—Played OL at St. Francis (Ind.). 2003-05—Assistant coach (AC), St. Francis (Ind.). 2006—Graduate assistant, Bowling Green. 2007-09—Graduate assistant, North Carolina. 2010—AC, Ball State. 2011—AC, New Hampshire. 2012—Special Assistant to the Head Coach, Indianapolis Colts. 2013-14—AC, Arizona Cardinals. 2015-17—Defensive coordinator, Arizona Cardinals. 2018-19—Defensive coordinator, N.Y. Giants. 2021—AC, San Francisco 49ers. 2022-present—AC, Cincinnati Bengals.
