The Chicago Bears for the first time feel like they have genuine stability in their coaching staff. Matt Nagy is a new arrival and good for the next three years at least. Hopefully longer. Mark Helfrich was actually brought out of unemployment to become offensive coordinator. Vic Fangio re-signed with the team on a new three-year deal. The system appears to be stable for the foreseeable future.
Except the status quo has changed. Fans haven’t noticed because they’re too busy focusing on what this team can do in 2018. No surprise. However, amidst their expectations, they haven’t stopped to notice that the list of opportunities has spiked significantly over the past few months for guys like Helfrich and Fangio.
There will be plenty of NFL and college head coaching vacancies to worry about. Adding to this problem is the fact that not one but two new football leagues will be starting up in the near future as well. The XFL, set to revive after going under after one season in 2001, is being spearheaded by promoting mogul Vince McMahon.
He’ll be joined by the new Alliance of American Football, led by filmmaker Charlie Ebersol and Hall of Fame GM Bill Polian.
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Extra teams poised to try swiping Chicago Bears coordinators
It’s easy to dismiss the idea that these leagues are no threat. They can’t possibly match the money of the NFL or even college football for a head coach. This is true, but only for the moment. People also overlook what having success in those leagues could do for opportunities elsewhere. Fangio especially knows this well.
He got his first coaching shot in the old United States Football League. Three of their head coaches in Steve Spurrier, Jim Mora, and Marv Levy wound up becoming head coaches in the NFL. So don’t think that Fangio would turn his nose up at such a chance. The same goes for Helfrich.
As it turns out I was told that both leagues are indeed keeping their eyes on them.
“Both the AAF and XFL are preparing to have teams in place with the idea to pursue the two.”
It’s just a firm reminder that people shouldn’t get too comfortable with the current setup on the Bears staff. Even if they don’t make the playoffs this year, there’s an increased demand for head coaches that are higher than normal. If either of the two leagues can make the right pitch, it’s possible Nagy may have to find replacements for one or both as early as next year.
