Bengals hire Oklahoma assistant as tight ends coach

(Cincinnati-AP) -- The Cincinnati Bengals Thursday hired an Oklahoma University assistant, Jonathan Hayes, to serve as tight ends coach. <br><br>The 40-year-old Hayes has served the past four years as

Thursday, January 23rd 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Cincinnati-AP) -- The Cincinnati Bengals Thursday hired an Oklahoma University assistant, Jonathan Hayes, to serve as tight ends coach.

The 40-year-old Hayes has served the past four years as Oklahoma's tight ends coach and special teams coordinator.

His hiring completes the staff of the Bengals' new head coach, Marvin Lewis. The Bengals are coming off a 2-and-14 season, their worst ever.

Hayes played tight end for 12 NFL seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers, after the Chiefs drafted him in the second round from Iowa in 1985. He made 115 starts in his 184 NFL games, catching 153 passes for 1,718 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Hayes is the younger brother of Bengals defensive line coach Jay Hayes. The team hired the 42-year-old Jay Hayes earlier this week.