Chicago Bears: Team getting the band back together
By David Mamola
Matt Nagy and the Chicago Bears are filling coaching positions with people very familiar with the organization.
The Chicago Bears moved very quickly when hiring Matt Nagy as the team’s next head coach, thus allowing Nagy to get a jump-start on other teams for filling out his coaching staff. While four other NFL teams are still trying to figure out who their next head coach will be, the Bears have been able to devote all their attention on getting great assistant coaches to help Nagy.
Some have wondered how many connections a 39-year old head coach can have in the NFL, leaving some doubt that the assistants he hired would be subpar. However, the Bears are dipping back into their roots and have already hired several assistants who have previously worked for the organization.
It started with the team hiring Harry Hiestand to be their offensive line coach. Hiestand worked under Lovie Smith as the offensive line coach from 2005-09 and helped Olin Kreutz and Ruben Brown reach the Pro Bowl during that time. Hiestand, who was previously the offensive line coach for Notre Dame, is a well-respected coach and has received excellent reviews from players, coaches and front office executives.
More from Chicago Bears
- Chicago Bears HC Matt Eberflus speaks on a number of team issues
- Roschon Johnson showing he can be Chicago Bears RB1
- Lingering free agent could be an absolute godsend for Chicago Bears
- Chicago Bears: Should Tyson Bagent be the backup quarterback?
- Chicago Bears: 3 replacements if Justin Fields isn’t the answer
The Bears dipped their toe back into history when they hired Chris Tabor as special teams coordinator. Tabor, who previously held the same title with the Cleveland Browns, worked under Dave Toub as a special teams assistant from 2008-10 with the Bears. His special teams units with the Browns weren’t great, but the talent he had to work with wasn’t ideal either.
The Bears then hired Charles London as running backs coach. London spent three seasons with the team from 2007-09 as an offensive quality control coach. In the past four seasons, London was working as the running backs coach for the Houston Texans under Bill O’Brien’s tutelage.
The familiarity figures to continue further if the Bears are able to secure Vic Fangio returning to the team as the defensive coordinator. Several defensive assistants figure to return as well, including respected defensive backs coach Ed Donatell and linebacker coach Glenn Pires. The team also is hiring former Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich as offensive coordinator, who, surprisingly, is not a former Bears employee.
Next: NFL Playoffs: 20 Bold predictions for the Divisional Round
It’s still early, but so far Matt Nagy has assembled a very good group of assistant coaches. As a first-time head coach, it’s a great sign that Nagy has surrounded himself with a good supporting cast.