DaytonDailyNews.com

CINCINNATI — Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis has extended the boundaries in his search for a defensive coordinator.

The club reportedly interviewed Atlanta defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer on Friday after Zimmer was told he won't be considered for the Falcons' head coaching vacancy.

Zimmer joins former coordinators Rex Ryan (Baltimore), Donnie Henderson (New York Jets, Detroit Lions) and Dom Capers (Miami), along with Carolina secondary coach Tim Lewis, on the short list of candidates.

The Bengals fired Chuck Bresnahan and linebackers coach Ricky Hunley on Wednesday, and Lewis is moving swiftly to fill the positions.

Cincinnati's defense ranked 27th of 32 teams, yielding 348.8 yards a game. It's the fourth time in five years the defense was 27th or lower.

Zimmer joined the Falcons in 2007 after 13 years with the Dallas Cowboys, six as defensive coordinator. His Dallas defense typically ranked among the NFL's best. But the Falcons' defense struggled down the stretch in '07 and finished No. 29, allowing 355 yards and 25.9 points a game.

Even though the remaining Bengals assistants are under contract for 2008, some changes may occur.

If quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese leaves for an offensive coordinator's post, wide receivers coach Mike Sheppard could take over as quarterbacks coach. That would open the door for Atlanta offensive coordinator Hue Jackson to return as Bengals' wide receivers coach.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com