New Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy is already proving to be a unique character. That much is true based on the staff he’s been assembling. There doesn’t seem to be much rhyme or reason to its construction. Most coaches go one of two ways. They either seek out personal connections they’ve worked with in the past. Or they go after the biggest names. Nagy seems to be conducting a balancing act on both of those fronts. Bill Shuey is a perfect example.
Looking across the staff there are plenty of big names with no ties to Nagy himself. Retaining Vic Fangio is one example, as is the hiring of offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich and offensive line coach Harry Hiestand. Then all of a sudden it shifts with the bringing in of Brad Childress. He and Nagy worked closely together for five seasons in Kansas City.
There is also Mike Furrey, the new wide receivers coach, whom he knows from his Arena League days. Shuey represents the latest assistant to come in who has close ties to Nagy.
Let's try this again: #Bears are expected to hire former #Eagles LBs coach (2008-2010) Bill Shuey as a defensive asst. Shuey was a defensive coordinator at D-III Widener for several seasons. Coached with Nagy during their time with the #Eagles.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) February 5, 2018
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Bill Shuey a forgotten but sneaky good defensive coach
It’s rather surprising that Bill Shuey didn’t stay in the NFL. From 2003 through 2010 he was an assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles. During the last three seasons, he was their linebackers coach, a job at which he did fairly well. Though he never had the chance to coach any star-caliber talent, his groups always contributed to the teams’ success. After that? He disappeared.
He later resurfaced at Widener College, a Division III program where he was named their defensive coordinator. Since then the team has become a defensive powerhouse. This past 2017 season his group gave up single-digit points in five of their 11 games. Three times in four years one of his players was named Defensive Player of the Year in the conference and they fielded three All-Americans this past season.
Shuey has accomplished a lot away from the spotlight. He’s experienced and has proven highly capable everywhere he’s landed since leaving Philadelphia. He certainly doesn’t have the star power some of the other Bears hires do, but this is the latest demonstration of Nagy’s attention to detail. Not only does he have a good memory, he also goes the extra mile to find coaching talent.
Depending on how things go the Bears may have landed a young coach who is ready to make his ascent up the NFL ladder in earnest this time around.
