When looking at the critical people who played a role in Ben Johnson becoming the next head coach of the Chicago Bears, the two who will stand out are GM Ryan Poles and team president Kevin Warren. Poles was the one leading the search and did tons of background work on the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator. Warren secured the necessary resources to make sure the Bears came across as first-class and deliberate in everything they did. Candidate feedback was consistently positive about their process. Yet the most important moment may have belonged to George McCaskey.
The team chairman has been criticized for handling past coaching searches. Many have considered him cheap, unwilling to invest the necessary resources into landing the right guy. He also is reluctant to pursue guys with more alpha-type personalities. McCaskey shared what happened when Poles came forward about Johnson being the target. His response may have altered the course of franchise history.
“I think in this situation, the best we can do, and the best I can do, is listen, offer support, guidance, and the benefit of our experience when called upon, and to offer support. Ryan says, ‘This is the guy we want,’ and I said, ‘Go get him.'”
George McCaskey isn’t perfect, but he trusts his people.
His efforts to find the right head coach in years past didn’t go well. Say what you will. At least George McCaskey seems to have a sense of self. He’s always known his instincts for football weren’t great. While he may be the owner, he’s more of a fan. That is why he always leaves the football decisions to his football people. In this case, that was Poles. McCaskey has never wavered in his belief that the GM is the right man for the job. If he feels Johnson is the right man to get this ship sailing in the right direction, then no resource should be spared to make it happen. Everything came together quickly after that. There is no telling if Johnson will succeed. If he does, people must acknowledge McCaskey’s willingness to not meddle when it mattered.
I’m willing to give McCaskey the benefit of the doubt that somehow Warren and Poles have gotten through to him but … C’mon man! He’s been in this position for nearly 15 years and he openly admits after all that time HE DOESN’T UNDERSTAND THE ONLY PRODUCT HIS COMPANY SELLS?!?! This is a man that is trapped in a job he doesn’t want to do. And once you realize that, the past 15 years finally make sense. I REALLY hope it’s true that Warren and Poles have convinced him to take a step back. It’s the only way anything will… Read more »
The fact that it appears George chose not to meddle this time is interesting to me, since it appears he was very much involved in previous hires. It’s just interesting because we should wonder why the change? Was he just at a loss and making a conscious decision to do something different? Did he want to avoid direct blame if it went bad? Has Ryan Poles done something differently than past GM’s to give him the comfort in trusting him? Maybe because the search was so broad and he had listened to and been impressed by how Poles conducted all… Read more »