This month marks five years since the launch of Cincy Sports Journal. It’s wild to fathom the developments that have happened in Cincinnati sports and the world over the last five years.

Five years ago, Cincinnati’s three major league teams were marking a few firsts. The Cincinnati Reds and Cincinnati Bengals introduced new head coaches. While FC Cincinnati attained major league status. Amid this, the foundation was also being set for major changes in college sports. Here’s a recap of some of the developments in Cincinnati sports over the last five years.

Cincinnati Bengals: all the way to Super Bowl LVI

2019 marked the beginning of Zac Taylor’s tenure as the Bengals head coach. The early years for Taylor in Cincinnati weren’t pretty. The Bengals were 2-14 in 2019, faring poorly enough to get the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Which the team used to draft quarterback Joe Burrow. The Bengals went 4-11-1 in 2020. Then quickly turned the corner in their 2021-22 season. Achieving several Bengals milestones along the way.

The Bengals won their first playoff game in over 30 years. Starting a playoff run that culminated in Cincinnati’s first Super Bowl appearance since 1989. Cincinnati followed that up with another playoff run in the 2022-23 season. Advancing all the way to the 2023 AFC Championship Game. Marking the first time the Bengals played in the AFC title game in two-consecutive years. While the Bengals missed the playoffs last season. Hopes are high for the Bengals to contend next season.

Cincinnati Reds: resurging, rebuilding, rinsing and repeating

The Reds celebrated the Cincinnati Red Stockings’ 150th anniversary in 2019. That year was also David Bell’s first as the Reds manager. Bell took on that job as the Reds were in rebuild mode. The Reds have been on a roller coaster ride in the Bell era. After losing 95 games in 2018, the Reds had a 75-87 record in 2019. Cincinnati made big roster moves in the 2019-20 off-season. Adding Nick Castellanos, Mike Moustakas and Shogo Akiyama to the lineup.

Reds fans had reasons to feel hopeful going into the 2020 season. That season will go down as one of the strangest in Cincinnati Reds history. The COVID-19 pandemic led to the 2020 season being shortened to 60 games. Cincinnati went on to qualify for the postseason, which featured an expanded 16 team field. Cincinnati was ultimately swept in the National League Wild Card round.

Hopes were high for the Reds in 2021. The Reds went on to have an 83-79 record that year. The Reds followed that up with one of their worst seasons ever. Losing 100 games for the second time ever. While trading many of their biggest stars. Including Nick Castellanos, Eugenio Suarez and Jesse Winker. As the Reds quickly went back into rebuilding mode.

This rebuild has produced interesting results so far. With the Reds contending all the way until the last weekend of last season. After promoting many of their top prospects, including Elly De La Cruz. The roller coaster comparison could apply to the 2024 Reds. This season, Cincinnati had their best April since 2013 but are 3-11 in May going into this weekend.

FC Cincinnati: from early MLS struggles to the Supporter’s Shield

2019 was FC Cincinnati’s first year in Major League Soccer. Growing pains were expected given their sudden rise. This club didn’t even exist a decade ago. Those growing pains happened on and off of the pitch. The team went through several head coaches before hiring Pat Noonan in late 2021.

FC Cincinnati also had three-consecutive last place finishes from 2019-2021. The club showed immediate improvements after hiring Noonan and general manager Chris Albright. Making their first MLS Cup Playoff appearance in 2022. FCC won the 2023 MLS Supporters Shield, awarded to the league’s regular season champions. FC Cincinnati also advanced to the 2023 MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup semifinals. 

College Sports: it’s a weird scene

Name, Image and Likeness compensation wasn’t a reality for college athletes in 2019. Late in that year, California became the first state to pass a law allowing it. Several other states followed in the ensuing years. NIL, the transfer portal and conference realignment are arguably the three biggest recent changes impacting college sports. All are having an impact on how colleges recruit student-athletes.

Meanwhile, the summer of 2024 will feature of the wildest conference realignment in modern college sports. Here’s a brief summary, the Pac-12 will become the Pacific two. The Big Ten will have 18 teams, Stanford and SMU are joining the Atlantic Coast Conference. While Texas and Oklahoma are leaving the Big 12 Conference to join the Southeastern Conference. A year after the University of Cincinnati joined the Big 12.

The last five years have been a wild ride for local college sports. In 2021, Cincinnati Football became the first Group of Five Conference school to compete in the College Football Playoff. Several local college basketball programs have different coaches compared to 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on college sports. Several teams saw their seasons ended abruptly. Athletes were given an extra year of eligibility due to the pandemic. While some local universities’ athletic departments dissolved a few programs.

In conclusion

The world has endured a lot in the last five years. Cincinnati sports fans have had a lot to gripe about. Along with having several historic achievements to celebrate since 2019. From the big moments, to figuring out who’s playing and when. Cincy Sports Journal is here to cover it, as we head into a hopefully peaceful and fun future.