Windy City Gridiron - Matt Nagy is the Bears’ new coach, but now what?A Chicago Bears communityhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49985/windy-fav.png2018-02-05T23:15:39-06:00http://www.windycitygridiron.com/rss/stream/166310172018-02-05T23:15:39-06:002018-02-05T23:15:39-06:00Report: The Chicago Bears add two more assistant coaches
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<p id="E0B188">Earlier today, Adam Caplan of VSporto and SiriusXM radio dropped some <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> assistant coaching nuggets. The biggest of which was that they were hiring Brad Childress as an offensive consultant. Our own Jacob Infante tells us all about that move <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/2/5/16974998/chicago-bears-hire-brad-childress-offensive-consultant-kansas-city-chiefs-mitchell-trubisky-nfl-2018">right here</a>. </p>
<p id="KcU1hf">Caplan also reported that the Bears are expected to add <a href="https://twitter.com/caplannfl/status/960615786476916744">Bill Shuey</a> as a defensive assistant, and <a href="https://twitter.com/caplannfl/status/960603655094358021">Brian Ginn</a> as an offensive assistant. </p>
<p id="TyDpaN">New Bears head coach <span>Matt Nagy</span> worked with Shuey in Philadelphia under Andy Reid, and he went to school with Ginn at the University of Delaware. </p>
<p id="OJf7qJ">Shuey spent a few years as the defensive coordinator at Widener University after his time in Philadelphia. In Philly, Shuey was the offensive quality control coach from 2003 to 2006 before moving to the defensive side of the ball and becoming a defensive quality control coach in 2007. In 2008 he was promoted to linebackers coach under defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, and he kept that title for two more years under defensive coordinator Sean McDermott. </p>
<p id="AfWGzn">Ginn, a quarterback for the Blue Hens with Nagy, has <a href="http://www.bluehens.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=29100&ATCLID=209239391">coached for 17 years at his alma mater.</a> During his time there he has coached the running backs, the receivers, the quarterbacks, and the tight ends. He has also spent a season as their offensive coordinator and four seasons as their passing game coordinator.</p>
<p id="czOGml"><em>What are your thoughts on these latest reported hires?</em></p>
<p id="o9POf8">I really like what the Bears are doing. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I love what the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bears?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bears</a> are doing with their coaching staff. There's no limit to the number of assistants you can have, so more coaches means more teaching. Andy Reid has always had one of the more specialized & largest coaching staffs in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFL</a> and it seems Matt Nagy will too.</p>— Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. (@wiltfongjr) <a href="https://twitter.com/wiltfongjr/status/960632607884136448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a>
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https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/2/5/16975700/report-chicago-bears-add-two-more-assistant-coaches-brian-ginn-bill-shuey-matt-nagy-brad-childressLester A. Wiltfong Jr.2018-02-05T13:18:13-06:002018-02-05T13:18:13-06:00Bears hire Brad Childress as offensive consultant
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<figcaption>The Bears have added another notable offensive mind to their coaching staff. | Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The former Minnesota Vikings head coach comes out of a short-lived retirement to reunite with Matt Nagy.</p> <p id="Wqy0va">The <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> have hired Brad Childress as an offensive consultant, <a href="https://twitter.com/caplannfl/status/960589193297657856">according to Sirius XM’s Adam Caplan</a>. </p>
<p id="V2YuA2">Childress, 61, was most recently the assistant head coach for the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a>. He announced his retirement after the team’s Wild Card loss to the <a href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Tennessee Titans</a>, but it appears that that retirement was short lived. He served as Kansas City’s co-offensive coordinator alongside new Bears head coach <span>Matt Nagy</span> in 2016.</p>
<p id="b51gHR">Childress is perhaps best known as the head coach of the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> from 2006 to 2010. He led the Vikings to a 39-35 record in his five seasons with the team. Minnesota won the NFC North twice under his watch, and even made it to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfc-championship-game">NFC Championship</a> in January of 2010 before losing to the eventual <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/a/super-bowl-2018-coverage">Super Bowl</a> champion <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a>. After a 3-7 start to the 2010 season, Childress was fired. </p>
<p id="B9MMp3">Childress was born and raised in Aurora, Illinois, and attended high school at Marmion Academy. He played quarterback and wide receiver in college at Eastern Illinois.</p>
<p id="DP5H88">Childress brings experience and wisdom to a revamped offensive coaching staff. This hire continues the Bears’ efforts to help quarterback <span>Mitchell Trubisky</span> take a big step in his development as an NFL quarterback. </p>
https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/2/5/16974998/chicago-bears-hire-brad-childress-offensive-consultant-kansas-city-chiefs-mitchell-trubisky-nfl-2018Jacob Infante2018-02-02T14:30:02-06:002018-02-02T14:30:02-06:00Bears hire Donovan Raiola as assistant o-line coach
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<p>The Chicago Bears add another assistant coach to the offensive side of the ball.</p> <p id="0MtB2J">The <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> are <a href="https://twitter.com/patrickfinley/status/959509892888453121">bolstering</a> their offensive coaching staff by reuniting offensive line coach Harry Hiestand with his former assistant at Notre Dame, Donovan Raiola. Raiola was Hiestand’s assistant offensive line coach with the Fighting Irish from 2015 to 2016, and he’ll serve in that same capacity this season with the Bears. </p>
<p id="2hOXHe">Last year Raiola was the offensive line coach at Aurora University, and in 2014 he assisted the o-line coach at the University of Hawaii. </p>
<p id="Bh6IvN">As a player, he was originally an undrafted free agent of the St. Louis <a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Rams</a> in 2006 after an outstanding career at the University of Wisconsin. He only appeared in one NFL game, in 2010 with the <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Buccaneers</a>, but he bounced around pro football until 2011. </p>
<p id="vphHXx">After a couple years with the Rams he went to the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a>, then back to the Rams, then on to the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a>, then to the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Cardinals</a> before signing with the Bears in the 2009 offseason. After the Bears waived him he moved on to Tampa Bay, then he signed with the Omaha Nighthawks, but then back with the Bucs, all in 2010. In 2011 he went back to the Nighthawks when he could have run into current Bears assistant special teams coach Brock Olivo who was their running backs coach at the time, and he finally ended his pro playing journey with the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Redskins</a>. </p>
<p id="8rz5q1"><a href="http://athletics.aurora.edu/coaches.aspx?rc=939&path=football">After</a> his playing days he spent two years coaching high school football at his alma mater, Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama.</p>
<p id="hiu2zW">Donovan’s older brother, Dominic Railoa, played fourteen years with the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> and is best known by Bears’ fans for doing this to Ego Furguson back in 2014. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/NFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFL</a> Here's Dominic Raiola stomping on Bears DT Ego Ferguson's ankle. Disgusting. (via <a href="https://twitter.com/BearHeiser?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BearHeiser</a>) <a href="https://t.co/BCTKaoBZkz">https://t.co/BCTKaoBZkz</a></p>— J Bird (@JoshTyler666) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshTyler666/status/546782436365856768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2014</a>
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<p id="YdAL3S"><em>What are your thoughts on Donovan Railoa joining Matt Nagy’s first coaching staff?</em></p>
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https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/2/2/16965668/chicago-bears-hire-donovan-raiola-as-assistant-offensive-line-coach-harry-hiestand-matt-nagyLester A. Wiltfong Jr.2018-01-25T14:43:15-06:002018-01-25T14:43:15-06:00A calculated crew: Diagnosing each member of Matt Nagy's Bears coaching staff
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<p>The rookie head coach in Nagy has completed his Chicago coaching staff. A breakdown of each new wrinkle.</p> <p id="mkXQ8o">Outside of learning how to be a leader of 53 men, being one of the faces of a franchise, and (at least) attempting to become an effective in-game manager, the greatest challenge facing <span>Matt Nagy</span> in his head coaching opportunity with the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Bears</a> was always going to be what kind of subordinates he'd surround himself with. Meaning, who he hand-picked for his coaching staff to carry out his vision. </p>
<p id="zIPoZl">For a 39-year-old in the mold of Nagy, it was crucial for him to find experienced position coaches and coordinators for his Bears group. People he could properly delegate not only when he saw pressing offensive or quarterback concern in his specialty, but in general to take the stress off management of an entire organization. The life of an NFL head coach isn't easy, so it pays to have experience around you to help ease in properly. </p>
<p id="e2sTTA">The other aspect a young coach like Nagy had to accomplish, was venture out with a semblance of risk as to who he hired. He had to play on his connections and playing days, as well as seek upside in risers for his staff. That not only would allow much of his staff the opportunity to grow long-term as they'd hopefully succeed together, but also give them a shot to expand his own coaching tree.</p>
<p id="Aa8C3P">To his credit, while there are questions, Nagy has fit these sentiments with his now complete Bears coaching staff. A group that'll be counted on developing <span>Mitchell Trubisky</span>, having Chicago's defense take the elite step, keeping the locker room together, and more. </p>
<p id="cuo4IW">Is this the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/1/12/16880596/can-this-be-the-best-chicago-bears-coaching-staff-ever-matt-nagy-vic-fangio-assistant-super-bowl">best Bears' coaching staff ever</a>? It's too soon to tell, so pump the brakes for now. </p>
<p id="5Cyi0g">Let's break down each Nagy Bears' hire (or retention of staff members).</p>
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<h3 id="l6Zf7S"><strong>Mark Helfrich, Offensive Coordinator</strong></h3>
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<p id="Mb45PE">Of every addition Nagy made, Helfrich is by far the most polarizing to me. Especially since he's going to help design the offense Nagy will be implementing for Trubisky and company. </p>
<p id="ZQPExf">On one hand, the spread concepts he undertook at Oregon with <span>Marcus Mariota</span> and a variety of other quarterbacks for a prolific Ducks offense is intriguing in a mesh of Nagy's version of the West Coast offense. With these two brainstorming Chicago's attack, expect high tempo fireworks that feature a bevy of pro and college concepts to keep defenses on their heels. The ideal would be another NFL offensive innovation not limited to the buzzword run-pass options of 2017. A West Coast spread option hybrid offense the league isn't prepared to handle.. </p>
<p id="qvIcna">On the other hand, Helfrich has never coached at the NFL level, a fact that he alluded to as much that <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/1/18/16906542/chicago-bears-matt-nagy-mark-helfrich-vic-fangio-chris-tabor-love-fest-mitchell-trubisky-nfl-2018">could be a concern for his transition</a> to the professional game last week. Coaching amateurs in a simplistic offense is drastically different from dealing with paid grown men of which most are physical freakishly sized and fast specimens. His adjustment in this niche will be key to how the Bears' offense as a whole adapts over time. </p>
<p id="nYt73C">It's a good thing Helfrich is intelligent enough to be prepared for this once he gets comfortable, because the core tenets of football are the same at any level, regardless of the level of competition. He'll undoubtedly remind himself of this constantly at first. </p>
<p id="cpVvBN">Luckily enough, Nagy will be handling the play-calling as the head orchestral maestro, so Helfrich's primary role will be assisting in the development of Trubisky and in the designs of an extensive, but advantageous playbook. The 44-year-old will receive a lot of credit should he help the Bears' offense flourish. Or, if the plan fails, crash and burn out of the league. As boom or bust in an out-of-the-box hire as it gets. </p>
<h3 id="sK9btA"><strong>Vic Fangio, Defensive Coordinator (Sean Desai, Quality Control)</strong></h3>
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<p id="8YnEbw">There was never any issue of retaining Fangio. He's one of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL and it isn't up for debate.</p>
<p id="EW45Oh">The question with Fangio, as his future in Chicago was largely up in the air for all of 2017, was whether him leaving would be that backbreaking to the Bears' defense.</p>
<p id="GlIaHc">Is he so ingenious as a defensive "guru" to where if the Bears ended up hiring someone like the now <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">Giants</a>' and former <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Cardinals</a> defensive coordinator James Bettcher, that the Bears would lose a step? No, if anything, it's my belief that Bettcher is a better and more aggressive defensive coordinator, which suits Chicago's current talent to a tee. </p>
<p id="GmGkQY">Was Fangio's situation of jumping ship actually comparable to Buddy Ryan in the early 1980's, mostly to the point of the idea that the players loved him so he should stay? No. Ryan was a legendary defensive mind and an all-timer. Football isn't played in a vacuum, especially in historical context. Some of the Bears' players also had a soft spot for <span>John Fox</span>, and obviously Chicago couldn't retain him albeit in a less apples-to-apples situation. </p>
<p id="No63am">All of this is a moot point now. Keeping Fangio on as the leader of your still ascending defense isn't bad. It maintains defensive continuity for players such as <span>Akiem Hicks</span>, <span>Leonard Floyd</span>, and the most tenured (as well as healthy) <span>Adrian Amos</span> to dominate in. </p>
<p id="BOKJsR">That kind of experience under the same tutelage pays tremendous dividends for a defense, as everyone reacts and just plays football, instead of thinking and playing scared. Look at the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Vikings</a>' defense (pre-<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfc-championship-game">NFC Championship</a> Game): every starter had at least three years in head coach Mike Zimmer's scheme. Perhaps under Fangio, with the necessary addition of <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2017/4/6/15197962/chicago-bears-vic-fangio-san-francisco-49ers-2012-leonard-floyd-akiem-hicks-eddie-goldman-nfl-2017">some pass rush depth</a>, the Bears could make the same leap next season on the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/1/23/16923388/chicago-bears-super-bowl-lesson-philadelphia-eagles-new-england-patriots-pass-rush-coaching-nfl-2018">defensive side of the ball</a> thanks to comfort.</p>
<p id="UVwDiT">What keeping Fangio on for at least three more seasons does, is it allows Nagy to focus on the offense and team as a whole. This applies in this specific coaching relationship more than any other dynamic on the Bears. Fangio will get to run his defense more or less autonomously, and Nagy will chip in when he has to: taking a significant brunt of the coaching load off his back. </p>
<p id="jq49rl">It bears repeating: Chicago is in an excellent spot to take over games defensively for the first time in years because of Fangio's return. For posterity's sake, that means seeing the <a href="https://twitter.com/RobertZeglinski/status/924752260248293376">October 2017 Bears defense</a> that scored more points than they allowed over the course of several weeks with regularity. What'll be exciting is to see Fangio's <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/1/18/16906542/chicago-bears-matt-nagy-mark-helfrich-vic-fangio-chris-tabor-love-fest-mitchell-trubisky-nfl-2018">skepticism of a merely above average defense</a> morph into a winning unit that'll have him show genuine enthusiasm. </p>
<p id="bs2iOq">Okay, maybe a small smirk instead. </p>
<h3 id="grG5Lc"><strong>Chris Tabor, Special Teams Coordinator (Brock Olivo, Assistant)</strong></h3>
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<p id="wTaILY">Keep this in mind: Five head coaches had been in Cleveland since Tabor joined the Browns in 2010. After Eric Mangini was fired, the next four all elected to keep him around. That speaks volumes as to the value they believed he brings while embroiled in the most tumultuous organization in the NFL. </p>
<p id="oQlSwY">Tabor is an interesting hire for Nagy and the Bears as it undoubtedly comes from a place of comfort. Tabor learned from the best special teams mind in the NFL in Chicago under Dave Toub from 2008-2010, and eventually earned his lead position with the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Browns</a> for the last seven seasons because of it. </p>
<p id="L6PZV5">Let's not act as if this is solely because the Bears above Nagy know Tabor, though. This is part of the Toub comfort and in line with Nagy's mentor Andy Reid passing along staff recommendations, yes. But Tabor is one of the most respected special teams coordinators in the NFL for a reason. </p>
<p id="G4H3vU">After helping along <span>Danieal Manning</span> and <span>Devin Hester</span>, Tabor helped returner Joshua Cribbs and kicker Phil Dawson become Pro Bowlers in Cleveland. He also had the Browns routinely among the best at punting (that comes with practice of course). Under Tabor, the Browns received special output on the third phase almost every year.</p>
<p id="2sjVRt">If we're going for the efficiency angle, while the past few years haven't been kind in Football Outsiders' DVOA metric (two bottom-three finishes), Tabor's Browns were in the top-10 for four consecutive years from 2010-2013, including top-two finishes, and from 2014-2015, were still in the top-15. </p>
<p id="uZAtx8">As for Olivo - other than that it'll pay off to have two former special teams coordinators working side by side - I have nothing more to add on his behalf other than the Bears going out and "killing it."</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Well, let's do it then! <br><br>See more » <a href="https://t.co/9AvcvEScaQ">https://t.co/9AvcvEScaQ</a> <a href="https://t.co/Wcj3QrCnEF">pic.twitter.com/Wcj3QrCnEF</a></p>— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) <a href="https://twitter.com/Broncos/status/829450108047605762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2017</a>
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<p id="PHSG2F">With Tarik Cohen at returner and a unit that was l<a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/1/24/16927868/chicago-bears-special-teams-were-not-very-special-in-2017-rick-gosselin-rankings-ryan-pace-depth">ess than special in 2017</a>, the Bears' hope has to be that Tabor receives the same kind of performance he had early on in Cleveland. Perhaps Cairo Santos even becomes Chicago's long-term kicker with a coaching confidence boost. </p>
<h3 id="NJ0IFH"><strong>Harry Hiestand, Offensive Line</strong></h3>
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<p id="cNDLAn">Some position coaches are more valuable than others. It's debatable as to how that ranking goes, but most will agree that quality offensive line coaches are not a dime a dozen. Having someone who can corral the foundational front of your offense sets the table for the rest of your team. Which is why Nagy's addition of former Notre Dame offensive line coach Harry Hiestand for his second stint with the Bears is perfect. </p>
<p id="zmJPo3">Hiestand is widely considered one of the best, if not the best at his job. He did excellent work with the Bears from 2005-2009 (before Mike Martz decided his archaic seven-step drop back passing attack didn't need a sagely offensive line coach), and has since turned Notre Dame into a hot bed of talent. Hiestand's resume includes developing Zack Martin, <span>Nick Martin</span>, <span>Ronnie Stanley</span> and this year's inarguable (by ability) top offensive line prospect in Quenton Nelson. </p>
<p id="HbSOfs">One can imagine what Hiestand will be able to do with say, <span>Cody Whitehair</span> at center. Can he turn him into a perennial All-Pro? How will Hiestand get <span>Kyle Long</span> comfortable again after two injury-riddled seasons? Can the veteran coach fully unlock the underrated <span>Charles Leno Jr.</span> at left tackle?</p>
<p id="XXNmGB">These possibilities are endless, but nothing Hiestand can't handle. They're nothing that won't have a ripple effect across Chicago's entire offense. </p>
<h3 id="I0zzhv"><strong>Charles London, Running Backs</strong></h3>
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<p id="IkVuSA">In contrast to the offensive line, running back coaches are actually a dime a dozen. If an NFL team doesn't have a difference-making tailback coach, that's more of an indictment on not being able to fill a need with a bevy of options at their disposal. </p>
<p id="84OW53">At any rate, the young London brings a solid resume from the <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Texans</a> to the Bears. Having coached <span>Arian Foster</span> at the end of his prime and an underrated Lamar Millier in the past few years, he understands how to coach backfield stars. The Texans' running scheme is also rooted similarly to the Bears' zone blocking concepts that won't be altered too much under Nagy, so London is a good fit there. He'll be well-equipped for his chief task in Chicago: keeping <span>Jordan Howard</span> and Cohen on their heels</p>
<h3 id="mmIaYU">
<strong>Mike Furrey</strong><strong>, Wide Receivers</strong>
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<p id="bebqWD">In case you forgot (you probably did), Mike Furrey once caught 98 passes in a season for the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Lions</a>. You read that correctly: Furrey effectively produced, or was once treated, like a No. 1 option in an NFL passing offense in 2006. </p>
<p id="Vhwbmq">11 years later, Furrey's made his way to professional coaching ranks after two seasons as a head coach at Limestone College. How did he get here? Well, he had the Nagy Arena Football League connection as the two were teammates in the defunct New York Dragons' 2002 season. It's clear that Nagy has an affinity for his friend and respects his ability as a coach enough to elevate one of the worst position groups the Bears possess. That's considered while his friend has never coached at this level. To take great risks you have to bet on upside. </p>
<p id="rLsysa">How this partnership and lack of experience will result is anybody's guess. But we'll just have to go with the benefit of the doubt with Furrey in such a crucial position for now.</p>
<h3 id="7vpHhK"><strong>Kevin Gilbride Jr., Tight Ends</strong></h3>
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<cite>Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="ab86Fi">Tight end coaches in the NFL have so much lee way because you can count off <em>maybe</em> 10 total worthwhile players at the position in 2018. If a coach is able to coax any upside out of a young guy where there's a real need for much of the league, he'll set up for long-term employment with an NFL team. </p>
<p id="ZhG2dv">Gilbride - the son of former Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride - in that respect, accomplished some impressive work in New York. </p>
<p id="iqn0ga">Under Gilbride, 2017 first-round pick Evan Engram led all rookie tight ends with 64 receptions, 725 yards, and six touchdowns last season. Engram not only had one of the best rookie seasons for a Giants tight end, but in NFL history. He was also able to make a competent player out of the journeyman <span>Larry Donnell</span> in 2014, where Donnell caught 600-plus yards and six touchdowns. </p>
<p id="2g5FdH">In his short time, Gilbride's been able to squeeze out every drip of skill in tight ends he coaches. <span>Adam Shaheen</span> - someone the Bears are high on as their long-term starter at the position - will be his next pupil. Thanks to the rising star of the young Gilbride, we may see Shaheen shine sooner (perhaps next year?) as a franchise player than anyone believes.</p>
<h3 id="nDqT97"><strong>Dave Ragone, Quarterbacks</strong></h3>
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<cite>Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="pmdO2u">There was a kerfuffle when it was announced that Ragone would be the lone offensive coach the Bears would retain last week and I don't understand why. </p>
<p id="WNOtqC">Yes, Trubisky's mechanics suffered in 2017. They were almost primarily at the root of his occasional struggles in his rookie season. That mechanic fault does fall on the lap of his position coach in Ragone. However, Trubisky did improve over the course of the season, did he not? Strides in reading defenses and pocket presence were made, unless I'm mistaken. </p>
<p id="00FMy3">If you're going to fault Ragone for Trubisky's flaws - flaws he would've had regardless of position coach - then you should credit him for the tremendous steps Trubisky took as well. You can't pick and choose what avenues of success go to who. Trubisky didn't improve by himself, or by game experience alone. He had assistance. </p>
<p id="dqyalD">Besides, if Nagy felt the need to retain the 38-year-old Ragone that means two things. </p>
<p id="SeAGjy">One, Trubisky vouched for and respected his relationship with Ragone enough to the point where the Bears had to respect their franchise quarterback's wishes. If Trubisky favors the guy helping oversee the minute details in his development, that speaks volumes. </p>
<p id="aQaV7B">Two, Nagy has a degree of belief in the still-developing in his own right Ragone as a coach. How much this means can be up for debate as it's comparable to the hiring of Furrey as a coach, but the benefit of the doubt is there nonetheless until proven otherwise. </p>
<h3 id="7rnAoA"><strong>Retained defensive staff (Ed Donatell, Jay Rodgers, Brandon Staley, Glenn Pires, and Roy Anderson)</strong></h3>
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<cite>NBC Sports</cite>
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<p id="zBR5H0">Since Fangio is coming back to coordinate the Bears' defense, so is his staff. We largely know what Chicago is already getting with the usual suspects on this side of the ball:</p>
<ul>
<li id="Cx3xRH">
<strong>Donatell, secondary (Anderson, assistant)</strong>: one of the pre-eminent secondary coaches in football helped <span>Kyle Fuller</span> have a 2017 resurgence, find a use for the hard-hitting Amos, bring a rookie in <span>Eddie Jackson</span> along properly, and get a season of fine quality from Prince Amukamara. That should continue. </li>
<li id="05mq05">
<strong>Rodgers, defensive line</strong>: another premier coach at his position, Hicks has become an All-Pro player under Rodgers' watch. Meanwhile Roy Robertson-Harris and <span>Jonathan Bullard</span> look to have high ceilings as long-term contributors. </li>
<li id="d3VxTX">
<strong>Brandon Staley, outside linebackers</strong>: Staley is more of an outside linebacker assistant since Fangio is Chicago's actual position coach here. The younger coach may receive more responsibility come next season, especially should the Bears upgrade heavily on the edge. Then we can properly evaluate him. </li>
<li id="hGUN1D">
<strong>Glenn Pires, linebackers: </strong>After four years, 2014 undrafted free agent <span>Christian Jones</span> became more than a viable contributor in 2017 for the Bears. That's thanks to the work of Pires, who didn't receive enough credit for Jones' rise. With a star in <span>Danny Trevathan</span> in tow, as well as the unknown but talented commodity in <span>Nick Kwiatkoski</span>, Pires will continue to lie in the shadows while keeping one of the Bears' better positions at inside linebacker running like a finely-tuned machine. </li>
</ul>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="dq75H6">
<p id="P5Cgj4">All in all, we won't know if Nagy has set the table for Bears' contention with his staff until live games have been played. Until then, there's no denying the level of piqued curiosity and football savvy present within this group. Upside galore and experience is the name of the game with them. At a glance it's the correct mix of people for an organization looking to consistently leave the doldrums for the first time in decades. </p>
<p id="Rn5mfi"><em>Robert Zeglinski is the Bears beat writer for The Rock River Times, an editor for Windy City Gridiron, and is a contributor to The Athletic Chicago. You can follow him on Twitter @RobertZeglinski. </em></p>
https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/1/25/16929808/chicago-bears-matt-nagy-mark-helfrich-vic-fangio-harry-hiestand-coaching-staff-analysis-nfl-2018Robert Zeglinski2018-01-23T22:38:50-06:002018-01-23T22:38:50-06:00Report: Chicago Bears make a change at head trainer
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<figcaption>Photo By: Serena Vitellaro-Wiltfong of VEI Photography</figcaption>
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<p id="BQTzAO">A week ago the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/1/16/16899778/chicago-bears-fire-their-strength-conditioning-coach-quarterback-assistant-pat-ohara-todd-downing">story broke</a> that the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> were parting ways with head strength and conditioning coach Jason George, and now the <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/bears-to-part-ways-with-head-trainer-nate-breske/amp/">Chicago Sun Times’ Adam Jahns</a> is reporting that the Bears are parting ways with head trainer Nate Breske.</p>
<p id="0hJNR5">Breske and George came to the Bears with <span>John Fox</span> three seasons ago, and injuries were an issue all three years of the Fox era. Fifty players ended up on season ending injured reserve from 2015-2017, and numerous others missed time. Injuries weren’t just a Bears problem, every team has guys get hurt, but this is something the Bears have been trying to rectify for a while now. </p>
<p id="VHGosU">“It’s something that’s occurred three consecutive years and something we’ve looked at closely,” general manager Ryan Pace said at his post season press conference. “We did a lot to address it last year, whether schedule changes, tracking data, a lot of tweaks. But it wasn’t enough. With parity in our league, injuries play a big factor in our results. It’s something we have to get on top of and that’s my job.”</p>
<p id="0CkLHn">Jahns is also reporting that assistant strength and conditioning coach Rick Perry is also out, but that <a href="http://www.chicagobears.com/team/coaches/Pierre-Ngo/44b7f49a-a4ed-42d0-9ce9-f1401ddf6010">Pierre Ngo</a>, who is another assistant strength and conditioning coach, will be back.</p>
https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/1/23/16926652/chicago-bears-make-a-change-at-head-trainer-nate-breske-strength-and-conditioningLester A. Wiltfong Jr.2018-01-19T19:56:36-06:002018-01-19T19:56:36-06:00Bears hire Brock Olivo as assistant special teams coach
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<figcaption>Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Bears coaching staff continues to fill out, with the latest assistant having an exciting background.</p> <p id="SXz8ru">Here’s all most of you <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a>’ fans need to know about Brock Olivo. He worked as Dave Toub’s assistant from 2014 to 2016 in Kansas City.</p>
<p id="YUkEb9"><em>That’s good enough for me.</em></p>
<p id="aSo9ul">It was during his time with the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Chiefs</a> when he and Bears head coach <span>Matt Nagy</span> crossed paths. </p>
<p id="guE3aJ">Olivo will now assist Bears’ special teams coordinator Chris Tabor, who himself was a Toub assistant back when both were in Chicago.</p>
<p id="ouEs38"><em>This special teams staff is like Toub to the second power.</em></p>
<p id="jpSjQK">Last season, Olivo was the special teams coordinator with the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a>. Before breaking into the NFL coaching ranks with the Chiefs, he was the running backs coach and special teams assistant at Coastal Carolina from 2012–2013.</p>
<p id="Zk48dY">In 2011 he was the running backs coach for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. </p>
<p id="pMWHBu"><em>Here’s a fun fact.</em> </p>
<p id="VDowCF"><em>The Nighthawks actually drafted </em><span><em>Akiem Hicks</em></span><em> in the UFL draft that year, but Hicks decided to remain at University of Regina.</em></p>
<p id="mvOZIu">Olivo does have some head coaching experience on his resume. From the Bears website.</p>
<blockquote><p id="F9TMOP">Olivo served as head coach and offensive coordinator of the Italian National Football Team. He was also the head coach, offensive coordinator and special teams coordinator of the S.S. Lazio Marines, a Serie A1 team which competes in Italy’s IFL, the country’s highest level of American football.</p></blockquote>
<p id="lLkTo3">He was also an undrtafted free agent that stuck with the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> for four years (1998-2001) where he excelled as a special teamer. </p>
<p id="z8tChC">In college, at the University of Missouri, he was a record setting running back, and also the 1997 NCAA Special Teams Player of the Year.</p>
<p id="2ftz3K"><em>What are your thoughts on the latest addition to the coaching staff?</em></p>
<p id="NvmtG7"></p>
<p id="H9YE5S"></p>
https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/1/19/16910388/chicago-bears-hire-brock-olivo-as-assistant-special-teams-coach-dave-toub-tree-nighthawks-lionsLester A. Wiltfong Jr.2018-01-18T21:43:07-06:002018-01-18T21:43:07-06:00Dave Ragone is retained by the Bears
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<figcaption>Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Chicago Bears are keeping Dave Ragone as their quarterbacks coach. </p> <p id="EHP5h4">After flirting with three other potential quarterback coaches — they interviewed former <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a> offensive coordinator Todd Downing and <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Houston Texans</a> quarterbacks coach Pat O’Hara, and were rumored to have interest in former <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell — the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> are reported to be staying with current QB coach Dave Ragone.</p>
<p id="B4DhEK">On Thursday afternoon, Adam Jahns of the <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/bears-expected-to-retain-quarterbacks-coach-dave-ragone/amp/">Chicago Sun Times</a> reported that Ragone will continue to work with <span>Mitchell Trubisky</span> and the Bears’ quarterbacks.</p>
<p id="WwX9g9">Some fans may feel a let down considering the other three, more high profile names, but the way I look at it, if head coach <span>Matt Nagy</span> felt good about sticking with Ragone, he must have impressed in his interview.</p>
<p id="KVPAno">Nagy and offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich are both former quarterback coaches, and both are expected to be highly involved in Trubisky’s development. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ragone was involved in other aspects of the offense when Nagy and Helfrich are zeroed in on the quarterbacks. He has experience coaching wide receivers with the <a href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Titans</a> from 2011-2012, and as an offensive quality control coach with the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Redskins</a> in 2015.</p>
<p id="925gFV">The Tribune’s Brad Biggs <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-bears-retain-qb-coach-dave-ragone-20180118-story.html">reported</a> that Ragone is in the final year of a three year contract and he may receive an extension. His relationship with Trubisky probably played a factor in him returning. </p>
<p id="c9nyP8"><em>What are your thoughts on Ragone staying with the Bears?</em></p>
<p id="TSZtMo"></p>
https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/1/18/16908106/chicago-bears-qb-quarterback-coach-dave-ragone-coaching-matt-nagy-mitchell-trubisky-mark-helfrichLester A. Wiltfong Jr.2018-01-17T10:30:11-06:002018-01-17T10:30:11-06:00Bears to retain Glenn Pires, Roy Anderson on defensive staff
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<figcaption>Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>As expected, Vic Fangio will be keeping at least part of his staff intact. </p> <p id="azFBAB">When Vic Fangio was officially re-hired as the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Bears</a>’ DC, many people expected the defensive staff would remain the same. To nobody’s surprise, <a href="https://twitter.com/alexmarvez/status/953627014950473730">Alex Marvez has reported </a>that incumbent LBs coach Glenn Pires and asst. DBs coach Roy Anderson will be retained on the Bears’ staff. Coach Pires has been with the Chicago Bears since 2015, and Roy Anderson since 2017. </p>
<p id="zVkplE">Prior to his arrival in Chicago, Glenn Pires had coached LBs in the NFL with the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a>, <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a>, <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Miami Dolphins</a>, and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a>. Overall, he has over 26 years of experience coaching LBs. He will continue to specialize with the inside linebackers. </p>
<p id="JbTwSJ">Roy Anderson is a relatively new coach in Chicago, with his arrival being that of last season. He will be entering his tenth season as an assistant in the NFL, with previous stops including the <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a>, <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Indianapolis Colts</a>, and <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a>. He’s also spent time in college, with programs like LSU, Florida State, and Florida A&M. </p>
<p id="EtEt9R">It remains to be seen what happens with the rest of the assistants, namely Jay Rodgers (DL) and Ed Donatell (DB). However, it is likely that both will return, and current OLB coach Brandon Staley is still under contract. We will update you once we receive further confirmation. </p>
https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/1/17/16901104/chicago-bears-to-retain-glenn-pires-roy-anderson-on-defensive-staff-vic-fangio-matt-nagyErik Christopher Duerrwaechter