Hue Jackson rejoins the Bengals

CINCINNATI - The man who helped the Bengals become one of the best offenses in the NFL several years ago is returning to Cincinnati.

The Bengals announced Friday afternoon that Hue Jackson is returning to the organization.

Jackson, who previously worked with the Bengals from 2004-06, will serve as an assistant coach in the areas of defensive backs and special teams. He will work closely with new defensive backs coach Mark Carrier and special teams coach Darrin Simmons.

Jackson spent last season as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders and helped orchestrate the trade for Carson Palmer . He was fired following the Raiders' 8-8 season that saw Oakland finish in a tie for the AFC West title, but were eliminated from the playoffs due to tiebreakers.

“Hue is a tremendous addition to our staff,” said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. “I relied on Hue greatly when he was with us and his success overall in the NFL, including being selected for a head coaching position, is well documented. He has expertise in all aspects of the game, and we are fortunate to have obtained his services.”

While Jackson served as wide receivers coach in Cincinnati, he helped the Bengals' offense become one of the more talented units in the league.

Jackson left the Bengals to become offensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons in 2007. His stop in Atlanta only lasted one season after then-Falcons coach Bobby Petrino resigned before the season ended to become head coach at Arkansas.

Jackson's next stop was Baltimore where he worked as quarterbacks coach with the Ravens in 2008 and 2009. He then took a job as offensive coordinator with the Raiders in 2010. Before the 2011 season he was promoted to head coach.

This offseason he was reportedly a finalist for the St. Louis Rams' offensive coordinator position. However, the team opted for Brian Schottenheimer.

Jackson and Lewis also worked together on the Redskins' coaching staff in 2002.

Jackson, a native of Los Angeles, played quarterback at the University of the Pacific and began his coaching career there in 1987. He spent time in the college ranks until 2000 when he became offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Southern California. He entered the NFL with the Redskins in 2001.

Earlier this week the Bengals hired Mark Carrier as the new defensive backs coach and promotion of Paul Guenther to linebackers coach .