The Chicago Bears have begun their search for the next head coach. It will be their fifth attempt since firing Lovie Smith in 2013 to settle that position. One can understand why fans and the local media are skeptical. Why should they believe the process will be any better this time around compared to others? The truth is they can’t know for sure. All they have to go on is that this time, the organization won’t be using an outside search firm to lead the way. That was the case in 2022 when they enlisted the services of former GM Bill Polian.
This time, the approach will be strictly team-driven. We even have details about who will be involved in the process. The group will consist of six names.
- Ryan Poles (General Manager)
- Kevin Warren (Team President)
- George McCaskey (Owner)
- Matt Feinstein (Bears Director of Football Administration)
- Jeff King (Senior Director of Player Personnel)
- Liz Geist (Chief HR Officer)
Some people may roll their eyes at having a committee this big. Too many cooks in the kitchen is the popular saying. In reality, these are all people the next head coach is certain to converse with once they’re hired. Poles is, of course, the main personnel guy. King is one of his chief lieutenants. Warren runs the business operations. McCaskey owns the team. Feinstein is the salary cap expert, and Geist maintains a professional work environment for all employees.
The Chicago Bears aren’t doing anything out of the ordinary.
Coaches must become acquainted with everybody in a football organization if they’re going to run it. None of the names in that group stand out as odd choices. The coach will work with Poles, King, and Feinstein on personnel issues. Geist will instruct him on various requirements to avoid any human relations issues, which became a problem under Eberflus. Getting to know these people is essential. If any prospective head coach can’t establish a working relationship with them, hiring them becomes problematic.
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In truth, Poles and Warren are likely to do most of the talking throughout interviews. The others are merely there to listen and observe. They will offer their assessments of each coach from their perspectives, and the two leading men will use that information to help form a decision. There is no telling whether it will be the right one. Still, there is nothing to say this approach is a bad one. Getting multiple opinions on a candidate can help create a picture. If Ryan Pace had listened to more of his people in 2017, he wouldn’t have drafted Mitch Trubisky. At least Poles is being team-oriented.
Well that sounds like the best collection of dipshits this side of the Mississippi.
@Bubba Ho-Tep I see you have concerns about DEI and in this case, Liz Geist. Let’s look at the Group of Six: George is an old white male, probably Christian.Warren is an older black male, probably Christian.Poles is a younger black male, probably Christian.Feinstein is a white male, probably Jewish.Geist is a young white female, probably Jewish.King is a young white male, probably Christian. I am quite knowledgeable about affirmative action and its variety of spinoff concepts etc., but this is not my issue here. I hope your issue is that these six people, though tied/loyalty to the Bears, are… Read more »
You might think the size of this team is a drawback, but I think it is the mediocre quality of this search team is what matters.
There it Fucking is – Liz Geist. Erik failed to mention this is the DEI officer for the Bears. We know how well the DEI hires are doing in the LA Fire Department right now, and the Mayor as well. And Boeing. And half the Universities. There’s a reason corporations are purging themselves of DEI right now. But not the Bears. This is why you get shit hires people. Which leads to 4-13 seasons. She herself is a DEI hire and she has been promoted to Executive VP of personnel. Really Bears? Things like this is why you fail. I’m… Read more »
Doctor Melhus. I think your assumptions may come to pass about Ian, and the Tennessee job. I think King will be promoted to AGM and we get two, 3rd round compensatory picks.
Side note. King has ties to Ben Johnson.