INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (670 The Score) – Bears head coach Ben Johnson was intentional in how he formed his new staff after being hired in Chicago.
Johnson sought to hire a diverse group of coaches from different backgrounds and with different styles, believing it will help bring out the best in his Bears as he takes over as head coach.
"What's so beautiful about the coaching staff we put together is I didn't hire a bunch of my friends,” Johnson said Tuesday at the NFL Combine. “I went outside of my circle on purpose because I wanted to collect a different mix of experience, energy, ideas, and we're all going to make it come together for the Chicago Bears moving forward.
“It can look a number of different ways. (Running backs coach) Eric Bieniemy has got a lot of experience in the gun-run game and what they did in Kansas City. (Offensive coordinator) Declan (Doyle) has got a lot of success from the Sean Payton tree. (Passing game coordinator) Press Taylor has a lot of success from the Chip Kelly (tree), all the way on. We’ve got a lot in the library to draw from, and we’ll see it all come together once we can get our hands on these guys.”
The Bears unveiled Johnson’s full coaching staff last week. The group includes new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who previously served as the Saints’ head coach; special teams coordinator Richard Hightower, whom Johnson retained from the previous Bears coaching staff; and the 28-year-old Doyle as his new offensive coordinator.
Johnson leaned on new Lions offensive coordinator John Morton – who took over his previous position in Detroit – for a recommendation on Doyle, who’s a first-time offensive coordinator.
“(Morton) said, 'Ben, listen, he's another Ben Johnson,’” Johnson said. “Which, I think that's a good thing. I'm banking on that good thing. Listen, I think he and I are a match made in heaven. He thinks very much like me. It's been awesome getting him into the building the last few weeks. Extremely detailed, extremely organized.
“The age does not matter. He is going to be respected by not only the players but also his fellow coaches as well. I can already see that coming into place with the coaching staff meetings that we're having right now. He's very well-informed.
“If you can help make the people around you better, they're going to find value in you. And so that's what Declan is bringing to the table right now.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.