Bears Hire New DB Coach

by GallopingGhost on Jan 13, 2009 11:26 AM CST Comment 16 comments

Bears announced they have hired Jon Hoke as the new defensive backs coach. A Ball State (Go Cards!! Chirp Chirp!!) alum, who has coached with Kent State, Florida and most recently with the Texans. I am wondering if he might be related to former Ball State head coach Brady Hoke, but who knows? I guess this is a good hire but I don't know.

The Chicago Bears reached an agreement with Jon Hoke today, making him Chicago’s defensive backs coach.

Hoke spent the last seven seasons (2002-08) as the Houston Texans defensive backs coach after spending three seasons (1999-2001) at the University of Florida as the Gators defensive coordinator/secondary coach. The Kettering, Ohio, native added the title of assistant head coach in his final two seasons (2000-01) at Florida.
Prior to his time in Gainesville, Hoke tutored the defensive backs at Missouri for five seasons (1994-98) after spending three years in the same capacity at Kent State (1989-93), adding the title of defensive coordinator in his final season with the Golden Flashes.

Hoke started coaching at Bowling Green in 1983 as the Falcons secondary/special teams coach. He spent four seasons there before coaching the defensive backs/special teams at San Diego State from 1987-88.

A four-year letterman at Ball State (1976-79), Hoke played 11 games for the Chicago Bears in 1980, recording seven tackles.

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Does anybody

know if he is any good and if this is any sort of upgrade?

by DaNate23 on Jan 13, 2009 11:31 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Knowing Angelo

was probably slurping watching the Texan secondary rape Olsen and shut down the entire pass offense….this wreaks of an impulsive move….just glancing over Houston’s pass defensive stats over his tenure, they finished in the bottom five in the league at least 4 times(2007)…haven’t really looked into it, but the numbers kind of speak for itself in this case….just another coach being “promoted” with mediocre results (i.e. Lovie Smith, Ron Turner, Pep Hamilton, etc. [Terry Shea, Spongejohn, etc.])

by chicagosports23 on Jan 13, 2009 1:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Houston Texans Pass Defense (rank in league)

2002: 10th <——clear outlier
2003: 31th
2004: 24th
2005: 24th
2006: 22nd
2007: 25th
2008: 17th

by chicagosports23 on Jan 13, 2009 1:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

not exactly bottom five, but definitely not even crackin the top half

by chicagosports23 on Jan 13, 2009 1:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

At least he comes with 7 years of NFL experience...

instead of right from the college ranks.

So… with Marinelli and Hoke, we’ve added a lot of NFL coaching experience to our staff. That’s a plus.

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Jan 13, 2009 11:36 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Bigger Picture

Does bringing in these new coaches buy lovie more than one more year to get in the playoffs before he is on the hot seat?

by WavyGravy on Jan 13, 2009 12:17 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Granted I have no real source

but everyone I have talked to or every article I have read states that the Bears have no plans to eat Lovie’s contract. So unless this team just bottoms out next year, I think we have him at least until his deal is up.

Being Who You Thought We Were Since 2005!

by Adam T on Jan 13, 2009 12:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He said he wouldn't be a backup. He would retire before that. It's in the article.

Apply directly to the forehead.

Residence: Portland, Oregon Pro Team: Da Bears NCAA Football: LSU Baby!! Make sense?

by Dane Noble on Jan 13, 2009 1:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Time to change you sig

Being Who You Thought We Were Since 2005!

by Adam T on Jan 13, 2009 1:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I feel like Lovie will be out if we win fewer than 10 games next year.

Even if we win the North next year at 9-7… unless he gets us a playoff victory, he’s out. But that’s just my take.

Residence: Portland, Oregon Pro Team: Da Bears NCAA Football: LSU Baby!! Make sense?

by Dane Noble on Jan 13, 2009 12:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

agreed

this is lovie’s last chance

by guy incognito on Jan 13, 2009 7:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ugh

I live in Houston…the Texans DB’s have been abysmal. If we’re hiring the Texans’ dregs, we’re in serious trouble.

by Cubbiedaddy on Jan 13, 2009 4:00 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

the question is

did he have any good talent to work with? can anyone recall any decent DBs on the texans the last few years? yeah, the coach is supposed to help them get better, but i can’t think of any really talented CBs there.

by guy incognito on Jan 13, 2009 7:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd have to say

Dunta was an elite corner but is oft injured and Fred Bennett was great in his rookie year, but seemed up and down this season.

Those are pretty much the only really above average players in their secondary.

I am like your Dan Aykroyd and biglow would be Jane, the ignorant slut. -Chad

by thecoolest on Jan 13, 2009 10:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Also... I don't think they had much of a pass rush for years

until Mario Williams started maturing the last 2 seasons.

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Jan 13, 2009 11:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Lovie knows

It’s time to S*** or get off the pot! Between Lovie taking over defensive play calling and Marineli as assistant HC they are going to shake things up no matter who the other assistants are.

by luckie815 on Jan 14, 2009 6:13 AM CST reply actions 0 recs