LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) – The Bears began their coaching search on Nov. 29, the day in which they fired head coach Matt Eberflus.
That was when president Kevin Warren and general manager Ryan Poles started “information gathering-mode, looking at data research, making countless calls to make sure that we have everything we need to make a sound decision,” as Poles explained Tuesday. But the search really started in earnest Monday morning, when Chicago began making formal interview requests for candidates around the NFL.
The Bears have promised to have a detailed process in their coaching search, which will fall in line with NFL rules designed to slow down what used to be a hectic process. Poles will lead the process along with Warren, chairman George McCaskey, director of player personnel Jeff King, director of football administration Matt Feinstein and chief human resources officer Liz Geist.
“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 of what he wants to see in the Bears’ next head coach. “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.”
The Bears have already put in requests to interview more than a dozen candidates. The team plans to publicly announce when it has completed an interview with each candidate.
McCaskey indicated the Bears won’t permit a head coach to take personnel control from Poles, who has led football operations since January 2022. The Bears declined to reveal whether Poles has been given a contract extension that could align with a new head coach's deal. He’s under contract through the 2025 season.
“The idea is to get it right,” McCaskey said. “Bears fans deserve a winner.
And we're going to do everything we can. I think with Ryan's leadership and the process that he has outlined and with guidance from Kevin, Ryan is going to make the best decision going forward.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on X @CEmma670.