That Lou Anarumo? Yes, former Dolphins assistant shining as Bengals DC

Five years ago, former Dolphins coach Adam Gase fired defensive backs coach Lou Anarumo.

Let Anarumo's firing be a life lesson: his setback set the stage for a comeback.

Anarumo is now defensive coordinator of the Bengals, hoping to make a second straight trip to the Super Bowl. It will happen if Cincinnati can win at Kansas City (6:30 p.m. Sunday on CBS).

The Bengals ranked sixth in the NFL in points per game allowed and the team finished 12-4.

"Mad scientist," Bengals safety Vonn Bell says of Anarumo.

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A fiery Staten Island, N.Y. native, Anarumo met Bengals head coach Zac Taylor when they worked together with the Dolphins.

"Lou does a great job leading the room and letting their personalities shine through, number one," Taylor said. "And number two, just putting them in the right spots to maximize their abilities."

Of the four NFL teams left standing, the Bengals have the most connections to the Dolphins.

In addition to Anarumo (2012-2017 in Miami) and Taylor (2012-2015 as Miami quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator) there are a handful of other former Fins in Cincinnati.

Cornerbacks coach Charles Burks, senior defensive assistant Mark Duffner, defensive line coach Marion Hobby, cornerback Jalen Davis, wide receiver Trenton Irwin, center Ted Karras, running back Samaje Perine, offensive tackle Isaiah Prince and safety Michael Thomas all had stints with Miami.

Karras has emerged as a Bengals' offensive leader and Thomas a special teams leader.

But the impact of Anarumo, who interviewed for the New York Giants' head coaching opening before last season, has been immense.

“I think that he’s super detailed in being able to have conversations face to face of what he’s expecting on what he calls when he calls a certain call,” safety Jessie Bates said of Anarumo. “He explains why he’s calling it. That’s what makes him really good he’s just into the details.”

The Bengals beat the Chiefs, 27-24, in December, and Anarumo's defense held Patrick Mahomes and Co. to only 14 points in the second half.

When the Bengals beat the Chiefs, 34-31 the previous season, Anarumo's defense limited the opponent to only three points in the second half.

“It’s never the same," Mahomes said of Anarumo's defense. "He gives you the same look, but different coverages."

Anarumo's defense creates pressure without blitzing too often and tackles well. Anarumo has also garnered attention for creative game plans and successful half-time adjustments.

Cincinnati was 22nd in the NFL in blitz percentage but 13th in pressure percentage.

By comparison, Miami was 3rd in the NFL in blitz percentage but 17th in pressure percentage.

As we know, Dolphins defensive coordinator Josh Boyer was fired.

On Sunday, Anarumo will attempt to help lead Cincinnati past Kansas CIty for a fourth straight game. And he'll likely try to force Mahomes into some of his least-favorite plays.

"I think he just understands the game on a crazy level. I've had some great coordinators in the past, not throwing shade at them, but when I got here and saw how Lou breaks the game down, he really has a good feel for the game," Bengals defensive end Cam Sample said. "He's something special."

Here are some coaches and players with links to the Dolphins on the other teams playing Sunday:

Chiefs

Defensive backs coach Dave Merritt, quarterback Chad Henne, center Austin Reiter.

49ers

Run game coordinator/offensive line Chris Foerster, tight ends coach Brian Fleury, quarterbacks coach Brian Griese, defensive line coach Kris Kocurek, center Jake Brendel.

Eagles

Defensive ends/linebackers coach Jeremiah Washburn, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, defensive end Robert Quinn.

Joe Schad can be reached at jschad@pbpost.com

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: NFL Championship games features Lou Anarumo, Ndamukong Suh, Brian Griese