Bengals add Joseph to defensive coaching staff

The Bengals expanded their defensive backfield coaching staff with the hiring of Vance Joseph on Tuesday.

"With the continued increased emphasis on the passing game in the NFL, it's crucial for us to expand our coaching strength in this area," said head coach Marvin Lewis in a release from the team. "Vance has excellent experience and has coached a lot of good young players. We feel fortunate to have been able to sign him up for this important job."

Joseph comes to Cincinnati from the Houston Texans, where he spent three seasons after six years on the staff of the San Francisco 49ers.

Among his pupils in Houston was cornerback Johnathan Joseph, a former Bengal who earned two Pro Bowl berths while working with Joseph.

A native of Marrero, La., who played quarterback at Colorado, Joseph said via the team he looks forward to joining a Bengals' squad on the rise.

"This team has a great group of players to work with," he said. "I consider myself a very positive coach in the way I work with players, and I put a lot of stress on great technique. I believe I can get those technique points across very well."

His coaching career also includes a stop at Bowling Green in 2004.

Joseph and Mark Carrier will share coaching of the secondary for the Bengals, who were 28th in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game (209) but second in opponent passer rating (74.2) in 2013.