Ben Johnson chose the Chicago Bears as his new home. It was a colossal shock to many, considering he had the freedom to go where he wanted. In the end, he went to a division rival because they could offer him something other destinations couldn’t: a young quarterback to mold. Caleb Williams is somebody Johnson has monitored for a long time. So when the opportunity finally came to coach him, the coach didn’t hesitate. The two sides came together quickly, agreeing to a deal that is reportedly worth $13+ million per year.
Next on the agenda is building the best possible staff. Already, news broke that former New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen is likely to take over as defensive coordinator. That isn’t an accident. According to Jeff Hughes of Da Bears Blog, it is by design. Johnson is targeting a specific type of coach for his staff.
Expect this staff to come together quickly. I’m told Johnson had specific names during the Zoom call last week, and one of those names is Dennis Allen as defensive coordinator. But Johnson has said he wants as many former head coaches as possible in the building.
Ben Johnson seems to have good self-awareness.
He understands how inexperienced he is going into this job. He’s only 38 years old and has never been a head coach before. The smart thing to do in this situation would be to surround himself with as much experience as possible. Allen has been a head coach twice and understands the challenges of the job ahead. He should make a great sounding board. The same will be true for others he brings aboard. This tactic is something Sean McVay used when he arrived in Los Angeles. He hired Wade Phillips as defensive coordinator, who’d been a head coach for three different teams by that point. The same was true of special teams coach John Fassel.
It worked out. L.A. made the playoffs immediately that first year and went to the Super Bowl the next. Ben Johnson is utilizing a strategy that works, both because of the experience it adds and the stability it should create. It will be fascinating to see who else he adds.
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I hope the Bears (George, Kevin and Ryan) will understand why KNOWING what you are seeing and trusting yourself is important. Firing Shane Waldron mid-season was the best thing they could have done. Seeing what Thomas Brown did in the next three games, showed them what could be done. Firing Eberflus let EVERYONE in the universe know that they were looking. Promoting Thomas Brown to Head Coach, and seeing how much the offense immediately faltered must have been eye-opening. Each job is different and it just isn’t done very well by one person all at once. Can you imagine if… Read more »
This coaching strategy is also seems to highlight an awareness of coaching, coaching, coaching, coaching.
Eberflus was afraid of being exposed
Hired almost no one who could or would question coaching-by-bumpersticker.
I look to have 35 people in the coaching offices.
He’s also smart to be filling coaching positions by hiring people who have been there before. He’s not putting a cabinet together from ESPN like some idiots would.
This redundancy is preparing him to losing assistants by having success, instead of believing they’re going to be there 10 years from now.
I love the idea Dennis Allen. Johnson knows that he will offer the defense a solid base plan and all Ben will have to do is tell him what kind of plan he’d like for certain games/series/plays. Just like Campbell did with Ben as the OC. Saleh might be more anttractive but he annd Flores anre looking for HC jobs so it may only be temporary. Allen is far from adding another cook to the kitchen. It’s adding a good sous chef that’s an expert at preparing the food. I think after 2 HC stints, Allen is looking for a… Read more »
I can trust Coach Johnson with football decisions, Ryan Poles not so much. Coach has seen what success offensively looks like, it starts with a running game that has to be respected. With no run game, even Tom Brady wouldn’t have success.
I see brighter days ahead for us, it may take at least 2 seasons to get back to the playoffs and be relevant again, but I think we’re heading in the right direction, welcome again Coach Johnson…!
Thanks George! Now my man, Ben, needs to turn Caleb into my man, Stroud, and/or a Daniels, if possible. You are going to need an NFL OL and a running game, but I know there is a good chance at goal accomplishment. Do your best. If you need assistance, just remember that we Lions are here. Again, look at Saleh and Rizzi.