The Chicago Bears opted for a lot of experience in regards to their assistant hires on defense. Guys like Chris Rumph and Bill McGovern have done their jobs for a long time. It seems Matt Nagy took the opposite approach in regards to his holes on the offensive side. He opted to give a young up-and-comer an opportunity on the big stage. That being Michael Pitre.
Don’t know the name? It’s okay. A lot of people don’t. Football fans in the upper northern states probably do. From 2014 to 2017, Pitre was the running backs coach at Montana State. Then in 2018, he accepted the same position at the bigger program of Oregon State. How did Nagy come across him? It so happens the two know each other. Pitre worked an offseason with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017 on an internship when Nagy was the offensive coordinator.
It seems he made an impression the Bears head coach never forgot.
Source: #OregonState running backs coach and recruiting coordinator Michael Pitre is set to join the #ChicagoBears staff as running backs coach. Coached Jemar Jefferson and Artavis Pierce with the Beavers. Replaces Charles London, who left to become Falcons QB coach.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) February 3, 2021
The Bears are also familiar with some of his work. They signed Oregon State running back Artavis Pierce as an undrafted free agent last offseason. He made a strong impression in training camp and had a couple of nice moments late in the year. Particularly against Jacksonville. Pitre’s history with running backs isn’t too shabby.
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At Montana State, the team routinely finished in the top 20 among FCS teams in rushing including 8th two times. That success soon garnered the attention of Oregon State. Since arriving three years ago, he hasn’t disappointed. Freshman Jermar Jefferson had over 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns his first season there. Then in 2019, Pierce and Jefferson combined for over 1,500 yards and 14 touchdowns. This past season? Jefferson racked up 858 yards and seven touchdowns in just seven games.
First NFL touchdown for Artavis Pierce! #GoBeavs pic.twitter.com/4Jk906j168
— Carter Bahns (@carterbahns) December 27, 2020
Michael Pitre has pretty big shoes to fill
He will be replacing Charles London as running backs coach. London held that position with the Bears since 2018. During that time he did a strong job overseeing the developments of both Tarik Cohen and David Montgomery. He couldn’t pass up an opportunity from Atlanta to become their quarterbacks coach though. This forced Nagy to go hunting for a replacement. After some time, he settled on Pitre.
It’s a big opportunity for the young coach. Few teams have a stronger legacy at running back than the Chicago Bears. That position comes with high expectations. With no quarterback solution in sight yet, it will fall to the backs to help carry the offense forward. That puts pressure on Pitre to not waste any time getting situated and straight to work.
He inherits a pretty solid group.
Montgomery is coming off his best season yet with over 1,000 yards on the ground. Cohen will be back from his torn ACL. Not to mention Pierce who Michael Pitre already knows well. Perhaps the Bears will add another body to the mix for additional help. Or they’ll keep around Ryan Nall, another Oregon State alum. Either way, it’s a pretty cool story that Nagy gave a former acquaintance this chance.
