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The Bear’s Den, January 11, 2018

Matt Nagy makes a huge hire, bringing offensive line guru Harry Hiestand back to Chicago

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NFL: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings
Chicago Bears running back Tarik Cohen (29) runs in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings defensive back Harrison Smith (22) at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

BEAR DOWN, CHICAGO BEARS, BEAR DOWN!!!!

BEARRRSSSS

Kern: The Bears Head Coach is all about the QB - Da Bears Brothers - On Tuesday afternoon the Chicago Bears introduced Matt Nagy as the 16th Head Coach in team history by General Manager Ryan Pace. In both the introduction by Pace, and in the press conference by Nagy both stated that they will make decisions based on the entire 53-man roster. I’m sorry, but I’m not buying it. This hire is all about Mitchell Trubisky and his growth moving forward, and it was obvious. Here’s why.

Biggs: In turn to past, Bears expected to hire Chris Tabor as special teams coordinator - Chicago Tribune - Chris Tabor has been the Browns special teams coordinator the last sevens season and before that he was an assistant under coordinator Dave Toub for the Bears from 2008 to 2010.

Finley: New Bears coach Matt Nagy sees himself in 'driven' QB Mitch Trubisky - Chicago Sun-Times - Matt Nagy’s last text message to Mitch Trubisky was one of congratulations after the Bears traded up to draft him No. 2 overall in April.

Jahns: Bears name Harry Hiestand offensive line coach - Chicago Sun-Times - As promised, new Bears coach Matt Nagy has moved quickly to fill out his coaching staff. And he landed a big fish for his offense.

Potash: It's all about the QB, but Adam Shaheen, Tarik Cohen will be Matt Nagy projects - Chicago Sun-Times - Getting more from players currently on the roster will be a big key to Nagy’s success. Among Trubisky’s supporting cast, Shaheen might be Exhibit A.

Finley: Bears remain in conversations with Vic Fangio about staying as coordinator - Chicago Sun-Times - The Bears woke up Wednesday morning feeling optimistic about their chances of retaining defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

DeWitt: What are the Bears Getting in Matt Nagy? - Da Bears Brothers Podcast - In this episode, Da Bears Brothers are joined by Seth Keysor from "The Chief in the North Podcast" and discuss Nagy's tenure in Kansas City.

Bocker: Nagy-Trubisky - A Match Made in Heaven? - Da Bears Brothers - Mitch Trubisky is a perfect "fit" for Matt Nagy's system. Here is how you should expect Trubisky to benefit from his new head coach.

Bannon & Thompson: Winners and losers from Matt Nagy's Bears press conference: 'Naggy,' Ryan Pace's hair, Jon Gruden, neckties and more - Chicago Tribune - Winners and losers from Matt Nagy's first press conference as the new Bears coach.

Rosenthal: WSCR moving Zach Zaidman to Cubs, Mark Grote to Bears - Chicago Tribune - WSCR-AM 670 on Wednesday named Zach Zaidman host of its Cubs pregame and postgame shows. Mark Grote, who had been Cubs host, will replace Zaidman covering the Bears for the sports station.

Rosenbloom: It’s OK for Matt Nagy to admit his title is head coach of the Chicago Trubiskys - Chicago Tribune - Matt Nagy is a straight-up guy. But he needs to develop Mitch Trubisky into a franchise quarterback or everybody’s fired.

Biggs: Bears add cornerback Jonathon Mincy from Montreal Alouettes - Chicago Tribune - The Bears signed cornerback Jonathon Mincy from the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League to a reserve/future contract.

Biggs: Harry Hiestand returning to coach Bears offensive line - Chicago Tribune - Matt Nagy is expected to hire Harry Hiestand as the Bears' offensive line coach. Hiestand, 59, the offensive line coach at Notre Dame, coached with the Bears from 2005-09.

Stankevitz: In Harry Hiestand, Matt Nagy hits a home run on his first swing at Bears' coaching staff - NBC Sports Chicago - The Bears will hire Notre Dame offensive line coach Harry Hiestand, who was with the Bears from 2005-2009 and developed an avalanche of elite players in South Bend.

Mullin: Bears could be trend-setters with outside-the-box moves in Matt Nagy hire - NBC Sports Chicago - The Bears' front office very well might be setting new trends with some of the outside-the-box moves they made during the search for their new head coach.

Stankevitz: Ryan Pace aggressively got his QB and coach, and will sink or swim with Mitchell Trubisky and Matt Nagy - NBC Sports Chicago - Ryan Pace aggressively moved to get his quarterback and his coach. And now, we wait to see if his plan will sink or swim.

Emma: For Matt Nagy, A Journey Marked By Belief Found Its Way In Chicago - CBS Chicago - Being introduced as the Bears' head coach, Nagy kept finding himself looking back at a decade of opportunities.

Baffoe: Come In, Matt Nagy - CBS Chicago - Hopes, dreams and wishes -- every Bears fan has them. Can Nagy unlock them?

Emma: Bears Tab Harry Hiestand As Offensive Line Coach - CBS Chicago - Hiestand rejoins a Bears coaching staff that he served on from 2005-'09 under Lovie Smith.

Arthur Arkus: Chicago Bears reportedly set to hire Notre Dame's Harry Hiestand as next OL coach - Pro Football Weekly - Hiestand held same post for five seasons with Bears under Lovie Smith

Hub: Arkush: Nagy makes himself at home at Halas Hall - Pro Football Weekly - New Bears coach leaves good first impression

They (including WCG's Robert Zeglinski) said it: Bears hire Matt Nagy - ChicagoBears.com - A look at what reporters around the country are writing about the hiring of Matt Nagy as the head coach of the Chicago Bears.

Mayer: Bears ink CFL defensive back Mincy - ChicagoBears.com - The Bears on Wednesday signed defensive back Jonathon Mincy to a reserve/future contract. Mincy spent the past two seasons in the CFL with the Montreal Alouettes.

Mayer: Nagy’s leadership made him perfect candidate - ChicagoBears.com - Seeking “the best leader for our franchise,” Bears general manager Ryan Pace found a head-coaching candidate who perfectly fit that description in Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy.

Wells: Matt Nagy's comfort with Bears 'quite a statement' considering his ties to Colts GM - Indianapolis Colts Blog- ESPN - Matt Nagy's relationship with Colts GM Chris Ballard wasn't enough during job interviews to overcome his enthusiasm for the situation in Chicago.

Jarrett and Josh recap Matt Nagy’s introduction day at Halas Hall with the Bears on Sports Feed - WGN-T - Eight days ago, the search had just begun. Ryan Pace was talking about finding a new leader for the Bears after firing John Fox after three seasons. On Tuesday, he already had his guy to lead the Bears into the future.

Dannehy: Nagy Was Always Pace’s Guy - Da Bears Blog - Matt Nagy. He was the guy all along. That’s who Ryan and this organization wanted to go after. They had a plan for it, they attacked it and they did it so that’s a credit for them for doing that, they were aggressive with it, they believed it, they had conviction and let’s go.

Cleveland Browns: Chris Tabor Bio - ClevelandBrowns.com - Chris Tabor was named Browns special teams coordinator on Jan. 25, 2011. Tabor, (pronounced TAY-ber), has 24 years of coaching experience between the high school, collegiate and professional levels

POLISH SAUSAGE

Monson & Pallazzolo: PFF Grading - The most effective quarterback evaluation method out there - Pro Football Focus - Sam Monson & Steve Palazzolo break down everything that goes into PFF quarterback grading, and why it stand out as a better representation of quarterback play than a standard box score. Ken's Note: When I read this, I thought of a PFF executive channeling his inner High Chancellor Adam Sutler (from V for Vendetta): "I want this country to realize that we stand on the edge of oblivion. I want every man, woman and child to understand how close we are to chaos. I want everyone to remember WHY THEY NEED US!!!!"

KNOW THY ENEMY

King's NFL Coaching Carousel: Patricia prefers Giants to Lions - SI.com - Notes on the Bears getting their man; the circus announcement in Oakland; Matt Patricia's choices; Green Bay's new leader.

Hirchhorn: Report - Browns hiring Packers’ executive Eliot Wolf as assistant GM - Acme Packing Company - Eliot Wolf becomes the third former Packers executive to land in the Browns front office this offseason. Ken's Note: Cleveland does realize Aaron Rodgers isn't coming with these guys, and he's the entire Packers team, right? Right?

Reisman: Report - Matt Patricia favors Giants job over Lions - Pride Of Detroit - The Lions may not get the guy they want. Ken's Note: Hmm... would I rather live in Detroit or New York City... tough call...

PODcast answers every question about Patricia’s beard and the playoffs - Pride Of Detroit - Ignoring Wednesday’s rumors in favor of recording on Tuesday.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Householder: Bears to hire Chris Tabor for Special Teams Coordinator - Windy City Gridiron - The former Bears assistant with Dave Toub ties comes from Cleveland

Zeglinski's WCG Radio, Episode 14: Bears' Matt Nagy-Mania! - Windy City Gridiron - It's a new era of football for the Bears. Priming it all up with Chiefs writer Pete Sweeney.

Wiltfong & Zeglinski: Bears hire Harry Hiestand as offensive line coach - Windy City Gridiron - Hiestand had spent most of the past six years as one of the NCAA's best offensive line coaches. Matt Nagy has now brought him back to the Bears.

Sunderbruch: What’s Next for Ryan Pace? - Windy City Gridiron
Anyone who claims that they know how that Matt Nagy hire is going to work out (one way or another) is probably wrong. On the other hand, the first press conference for the new head coach was about as impressive as such things can be, and there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic. One way or another, though, the coaching position is resolved.

FANPOSTS

FanPosts - Recent - Windy City Gridiron - Here’s a link to our FanPost section, where YOU have the opportunity to contribute to Windy City Gridiron. Take a few minutes and write a post about what you are thinking about regarding the Chicago Bears, and there’s a chance it will be linked right here in the Den.

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