(670 The Score) Bears interim head coach Thomas Brown has made his pitch for the team’s full-time position, interviewing Monday as the team's coaching search continued.
Brown, 38, took over as the Bears’ interim head coach on Nov. 29 after the team fired Matt Eberflus. The Bears went 1-4 during Brown's five games on the job, capping their season with a 24-22 win over the rival Packers on Jan. 5 at Lambeau Field. That victory snapped Chicago’s 10-game losing streak on the season and 11-game slide against Green Bay.
Brown endured a challenging first season with the Bears, as he was promoted from passing game coordinator to offensive coordinator on Nov. 12 following the dismissal of former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. He then took over as interim head coach just 17 days later. In Brown's first three games in charge, the Bears struggled to stay competitive in blowout losses.
Brown indicated his offensive scheme would look much different from the one he inherited from Waldron if he landed the full-time coaching job, and he was eager to share his perspective as part of his interview.
“Having a chance to lay out my whole vision, the plan I have for this football team moving forward is going to be a part of it,” Brown said in previewing his interview. “But I think them having a chance to see me in the building is something that to me should be more impressive than everything else.
“Change happens over time. I think often times when you're making radical changes, things get worse before they get better, but I think just being able to have him be in my meetings, see how I conduct myself in the team meetings, see myself at practice with as far as I am with the group should be more beneficial than anything else. But this is going to be more about myself, my personality, but also the plan for this organization."
A former running back who spent three seasons in the NFL, Brown entered the coaching ranks in 2011 at his alma mater of Georgia. He rose to the position of offensive coordinator/running backs coach from 2016-’18 at Miami, working alongside his former head coach Mark Richt.
Brown broke into the NFL coaching ranks in 2020 with the Rams and earned his first opportunity as an NFL offensive coordinator in 2023 with the Panthers. He was hired to the Bears by Eberflus early in 2024.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles – who has been retained for a fourth season in his position – is considered the “point man” in this coaching search, team president/CEO Kevin Warren said.
Poles will be joined in the search process by Warren, chairman George McCaskey, senior director of player personnel Jeff King, director of football administration Matt Feinstein and chief human resources officer Liz Geist. The Bears may also include members of their senior leadership team in the interview process. Eleven individuals hold titles of executive vice president or senior vice president.
The Bears have stated their intention to conduct a wide-ranging coaching search. Poles began the process shortly after firing Eberflus, starting by gathering background information and making phone calls to gather intel on potential candidates.
“We're looking for clear vision, a developmental mindset, really good game management and obviously a plan to develop a quarterback is going to be a key part of that as well,” Poles said. “We're going to cast a wide net. It's going to be a diverse group. This will be different backgrounds from offense, defense, special teams, college, pro. We're turning every stone to make sure we're doing this the right way.
“There's going to be some names that you don't expect, that are going to surprise you because we’re digging deeper than we ever have before. In terms of timing, we're going to move with urgency, but we're not going to rush the process.
“We want it to be a sound process.”
Brown is the ninth candidate the Bears have interviewed as of Monday midday. They've also interviewed former Panthers and Commanders head coach Ron Rivera, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and former Titans coach Mike Vrabel, who has since accepted an offer to become the Patriots' new head coach.
The Bears have one of six coaching vacancies still open. The Jets, Saints, Raiders, Jaguars and Cowboys each have positions available as well. The Dallas job opened Monday when news broke that the Cowboys had failed to reach an agreement with head coach Mike McCarthy.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on X @CEmma670.