Fans and media know what kind of head coach they prefer for the Chicago Bears. Most have championed the need for an offensive guru who can help Caleb Williams ascend. Some would like a coach with proven experience. That would give them a leg up in fixing whatever is wrong with the team’s dysfunction. However, the more interesting question is what the players themselves prefer. After all, they are the ones who will have direct interactions with whoever the coach ends up being.
Adam Hoge of CHGO talked about it on the Hoge & Jahns podcast with Dianna Russini. Based on what he’s heard from several players, they don’t have a particular preference when it comes to expertise. What they want is somebody who will instill discipline. The feeling is Matt Eberflus never had full control of the locker room. He may have had his vision, but the former coach lacked the charisma and firm hand to make players respect him.
The Chicago Bears need a personality.
Too often, they have settled for milk toast guys who are unassuming. Marc Trestman, John Fox, and Eberflus all fit this profile. Matt Nagy at least had some charisma. Unfortunately, his inability to delegate control and mishandling of his quarterbacks led to his demise. Successful head coaches often combine high intelligence with unique personalities. They fill up a room with their presence, forcing others to pay attention. George Halas did that. Mike Ditka did that. Ever since the McCaskeys took over, it seems as if they’ve tried to avoid such coaches. After so many years of losing, they can’t afford to dodge it any longer. The Chicago Bears need something different.
Maybe Ben Johnson can be that guy. Or the more conventional options like Mike Vrabel and Brian Flores are better bets. Players complained all season about discipline problems. If they’re craving it, that should be an obvious hint at what to do.
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@Arnie —
You usually make so much sense.
@Arnie —
One question: “Was it the acid or the mushrooms?”
@PoochPest I totally agree with you on coaching. My point was more about the “grass is greener” views of many who both focus on specific “bad” draft choices or free agent signings made by a GM while raving about GM’s in other cities they see as doing a great job. To me, a GM should not be measured by specific decisions on specific players because each is a crap shoot to varying degrees and too many factors beyond the GM’s control have more impact on each specific outcome. Instead, what GM’s should be judged on is if they stick to… Read more »
@Arnie Both Lukas van Ness and any UDFA, should theoretically be coached equally by the same coach in the same room. The draft may be a loser, but the UDFA who wins a starting position, may have come a longer way, but is a success story of BOTH the players and the coach. People forget that Jerry Rice and Richard Sherman were low picks. Beaux Limmer was a low pick and is starting for the Rams, protecting Matthew Stafford for a team in the playoffs (not expected to win, but still better than the Bears). These guys are all flawed.… Read more »
All these comments are SO much more thoughtful and logical than the superficial gibberish cranked by the writer with his byline. Actually, reading to comments are far more thought provoking and researched than the initial gibberish with fake header. @TGena makes a great point about the “culture” permeating through this franchise (and every other classic franchise that struggles for decades) – “go along to get along” cultures may seem to be “better,” but they also tend to sink into mediocrity and “group think.” Dissension, as long as it is thoughtful, is actually better for the organization. Consider that in a… Read more »