After waiting on Rich Bisaccia for a week, it seems the Chicago Bears finally decided it was time to look elsewhere for their special teams coordinator. In an unexpected ploy, Matt Eberflus managed to pull off a slight heist by bringing aboard Richard Hightower. Up until now, he’d been the special teams coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers since 2017. What makes it all the more shocking is Hightower has worked closely with Kyle Shanahan since the two were college teammates at Texas.
Hightower spent time with him with the Texans, Redskins, Browns, and then 49ers. Nobody thought he’d end up leaving. Especially after his team came one win away from reaching the Super Bowl. His special teams were a huge reason for it too, helping to upset the Green Bay Packers with a blocked field goal, a blocked punt for a touchdown, and a 45-yard field goal from Robbie Gould to ice it. The man is highly respected by both players and his fellow coaches.
The #Bears are hiring Richard Hightower as their special teams coordinator, per sources.
Hightower held the same position the past five seasons in San Francisco. Another big hire for Matt Eberflus.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 6, 2022
The Bears announce they've hired Richard Hightower as special teams coordinator—big move by Matt Eberflus, poaching the respected assistant from the 49ers.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) February 6, 2022
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49ers DE Jordan Willis explaining why coach Richard Hightower is a genius 🧠 #FTTB pic.twitter.com/BGDtrqVER7
— WayneBreezie (@WayneBreezie) January 28, 2022
The Chicago Bears deserve credit for this one.
Hightower is only 41-years old and emerging among the better special teams coaches in the NFL. He helped revive the career of Gould after his frustrating exit from Chicago. Punter Mitch Wishnowsky developed into a quality player under his guidance. His punt coverage units have also done a great job limiting big plays and pulling off the occasional blocks as the Packers found out. In many ways, he was the unsung hero for San Francisco during their last two deep playoff runs.
It will be interesting to see what he does with the Bears’ current situation. Cairo Santos appears set at kicker. However, both Pat O’Donnell and Patrick Scales are free agents. Will Hightower look to bring them back or seek new options at punter and long snapper? This doesn’t even mention who they might bring back as gunner too. Plenty of work to do in the coming weeks.
