Finding a quality head coach is insanely difficult in the NFL. If it weren’t, every team would have one. It’s just like trying to find a good quarterback. It takes exhaustive research, instinct and a little luck. The Chicago Bears coaching search in 2018 will be their third in the past five seasons. Marc Trestman was a bust. John Fox was an even bigger bust.
GM Ryan Pace talked about how getting the QB position right was the most pressing of his tenure. He’s right, but directly behind that responsibility is getting the best possible head coach in charge. It’s hard to fault him with the Fox hire. Yes it was his decision but let’s remember something. Pace was a rookie in 2015. He was also the youngest GM in the NFL. Fox had a stronger track record than any candidate that year.
There was plenty of logic behind the hire at the time. It turns out Fox, for all his past success, had lost his touch. So now Pace must try again, but with whom? There are plenty of theories about how to conduct a search for a good coach. However, there is one overlying question that tends to root them out. One that Pace must ask in the next month.
Who Did More With less?
Chicago Bears coaching search must be finding a problem solver
It may be a simple phrase but it sends a clear message. The best coaches get the most from their players. They may okay players good, good players great and great players into icons. They see how far they can push you without going over the edge. Not only that but good coaches also need to recognize a problem with their team and understand what must be done to fix it. He must be able to adjust and think on his feet.
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This has been the persistent issue for the Bears over the past five years. Trestman and Fox haven’t done well at adjusting to difficult situations, on or off the field. That should be a highlight of the next coach. So who could it be? Word is Pace has already begun to compile a list. No doubt big names like Josh McDaniels, Jim Harbaugh and Frank Reich will be on it.
I asked around a bit with various people close to the Bears and other teams about certain candidates that should not be overlooked. One name that kept coming up? New York Jets offensive coordinator John Morton. Here’s what one of them told me.
“I was told the Jets want to hold onto him as long as possible to see what he can do with a QB they draft. The Bears are impressed with him. They were under the impression the Jets would be a bottom five team this year but Morton has really opened up their eyes.”
Morton has many things going for him, including connections
It’s not surprising that Morton is gaining steam. Coming into 2017 almost every expert felt the New York Jets were a dead team walking. In fact some even felt they might flirt with 0-16. Josh McCown at quarterback? Jermaine Kearse as their best wide receiver? A 31-year old Matt Forte as their primary running back? No way.
Yet here they are. The Jets are 5-7, the offense is ranked 17th in the league and McCown on pace to throw 24 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. With very modest weaponry. That is a testament to the job Morton has done.
It’s not a coincidence this is happening though. Morton has built a reputation of getting the most from average rosters for a long time. In San Francisco as wide receivers coach he got 1,000 yards from Michael Crabtree and an aging Anquan Boldin. In New Orleans last year he got 1,100 yards and nine touchdowns from rookie Michael Thomas.
That Saints connection actually puts him in close proximity to Pace, who worked there for 13 years. It would be fitting if the GM reached back to his roots to find the man who could fill the Bears coaching vacancy. Time will tell if Morton is worthy. This is only his first year as a coordinator, so there is some definite risk involved.
The next month is going to be fascinating with how this develops.
