It was beyond any doubt that the Chicago Bears coaching search would be large and comprehensive. GM Ryan Poles said as much during his end-of-season press conference. Names would be involved that might shock some people. He’s been as good as his word so far, with Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver and Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell being some of the bigger surprises. Add another to the list. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that the Bears are hoping to speak with Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman about the job at some point in the near future.
This is a surprise for several reasons. For one, Freeman is another college coach. The Bears haven’t hired one since 1930. Another is that he recently signed a lucrative extension with Notre Dame. One would think he’d have no interest in going somewhere else. Yet the Bears should be at least intrigued by him. He took a program that had clearly plateaued under head coach Brian Kelly and turned them into a disciplined, physical team that battled its way to the national title game. Throw in the fact he was drafted by the Bears in 2009 and it’s easy to see the appeal.
Ryan Poles is smart to at least speak with Freeman.
The man has invigorated a program many felt was stuck in its ways. After Kelly left for LSU, it was considered a likely dip into obscurity. Instead, Freeman has adapted the program to the new realities of the NIL era. His players are tough, well-coached, and relentless in their effort. No wonder Ryan Poles is interested. The 39-year-old embodies many of the traits he laid out in his criteria for the next coach. However, prying him away from Notre Dame feels like a tall order. He loves it there. Also, it would require a lot of money to make happen. Chicago isn’t prone to ponying up for head coaches. Freeman would really have to blow them away in the interview, presuming he takes it.
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If they do all these interviews and get it right and everything works the bears will look like “hey they finally got it”. If they do all this work and get it wrong the bears will look like the dumbest team ever. This feels like way too much Deja vu with the same approach as “Waldron”. That made us look like complete morons and is why most question this approach again? I’m tired of looking like the laughing stock of the league! I would rather see that we already knew who our coach was going to be once we fired… Read more »
The fact that we are entertaining a college coach, tells me that McCaskey is still in charge and he is too cheap to actually hire a proven coaching, and management staff. We’re looking for another ‘yes man’
Just think. If we were left waiting on Detroit to finish their championship run to announce that Ben Johnson would be the Bear’s next HC. How many more articles could Erik conjure up about Ben Johnson, repeating the exact same shit he’s been doing with the repetitive coaching search articles. Its fodder for the sheep, that actually think the Bear’s are interviewing these coaches for anything else than ideas for Caleb and the roster. For all the educated people who ever had to write a term paper, college entrance exam, or hold the title of General Manager. The more info… Read more »
It’s pretty funny watching how bent people are over the number of coaches being talked to. It might actually be the most entertaining part of the whole process so far. Seriously, why so irritated? Just like draft choices, fans constantly rail on teams for the coaches they “could have hired”, but “never even talked to”. Besides that, maybe Vrabel and Ben Johnson will be the most successful coaches hired this offseason, but anyone who claims it’s a sure thing is full of shit. The most popular candidates fail as often as they succeed, and it’s not like pretty much every… Read more »
Warren has been acting as a buffer against George this entire time to allow Poles the autonomy to select his own HC.