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Matt Nagy named AP writers’ Coach of the Year so far

A panel of ten AP football writers have picked Matt Nagy for having done the best job coaching in 2018.

By Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter
NFL: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

It always seems like this team finds new ways to win throughout the week. When the Chicago Bears hired Matt Nagy in January of this year, we all expected for improvements to place beginning in year one. With all respects being paid to the history of this franchise, Matt Nagy’s debut season in Chicago was not only successful, it was unprecedented.

So much so, that the writers for the Associated Press have named Matt Nagy as their Coach of the Year for 2018 so far. The story was originally published by Josh Dubow of the Associated Press in his article titled, Chicago’s Matt Nagy picked by AP writers top coach in 2018.

EDITOR: The title of the article make sit seem like this is the actual award, but the body of his article is more vague, so we’re not really sure... {Insert shrug emoji here}

A panel of 10 AP writers voted on which head coach was doing the best job in 2018, and Nagy received 7 of the 10 first place votes. The actual award will be revealed in February at the NFL Honors show. Seattle’s Pete Carroll was second in this mini-poll for having the 8-5 Seahawks in prime position for a wildcard spot in the NFC.

If coach Nagy does win the real award, he’ll be the first Chicago Bears head coach since Lovie Smith in 2005 to be named for this honor. Nagy would also be the fifth coach in franchise history to win following these gentlemen:

  • George Halas (‘63, ‘65)
  • Mike Ditka (‘85, ‘88)
  • Dick Jauron (‘01)
  • Lovie Smith (‘05)

Considering that two of those coaches have gone to the Super Bowl (Smith and Ditka) with another pair being members of the Hall of Fame (Halas and Ditka), that is some good company to be included with (if he were to win the award in February). Also, all those coaches won the NFC North during the season they were named to the award, which bodes well as an omen for the Bears this coming Sunday.

Oh, and we can’t forget about Club Dub:

Hopefully, Nagy wins the real deal the night before the Super Bowl, and hopefully general Manager Ryan Pace wins the NFL’s “Front Office Exec of the Year” award as well.

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