(670 The Score) Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower was hired by the 49ers in 2017 by first-time head coach Kyle Shanahan as they attempted to turn around the fortunes in San Francisco.
Hightower watched closely as Shanahan implemented his vision for the 49ers, leading the team to years of success. It left an impression on Hightower, who is now in a similar position with the Bears.
New Bears head coach Ben Johnson elected to retain Hightower as his special teams coordinator, and Hightower will now be a key part of Johnson’s plan for a turnaround in Chicago.
“I can be an asset,” Hightower said. “The main thing is if they feel like I can be an asset. I’m honored, obviously.
“I can’t wait to help onboard this process.”
Hightower was on Chicago's staff under former Bears head coach Matt Eberflus for the past three years. The Bears fired Eberflus on Nov. 29. Before his San Francisco tenure from 2017-'21, Hightower was Chicago's assistant special teams coordinator in 2016 under then-coach John Fox.
The 44-year-old Hightower wasn’t sure whether Johnson would covet him for his new Bears coaching staff, but he hoped that would be the case once they met.
"When I sat down with Ben, it was clearly evident from the get-go that this is someone I wanted to work with and someone I wanted to work for and be a part of his staff,” Hightower said. “I really enjoy the players here. I really enjoy Ben’s vision. He was clear and concise from the get-go and very transparent about everything that was occurring. His passion for special teams really was exciting to me. And not only for special teams but connecting all three phases together and playing complementary football was really exciting to me. I’m excited to be back and help these guys reach the next level."
The Bears had three different players earn NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors in the 2024 season in tight end Cole Kmet (for his work as the emergency long snapper), punter Tory Taylor and cornerback/returner Josh Blackwell.
Hightower was likely to land a special teams coordinator job elsewhere if the Bears hired a different candidate. His units in Chicago have been respected around the NFL, and that’s what caught Johnson’s attention in forming his coaching staff.
“A phenomenal reputation that precedes him,” Johnson said. “It has been incredible getting to know Richard and watching from afar how skilled of a coach and how passionate of a leader that he is. I look forward to Richard’s leadership over our special teams units and team as a whole.”
In his six years working in Detroit, Johnson saw firsthand the importance of special teams. Led by coordinator Dave Fipp, the Lions have consistently boasted one of the NFL’s better special teams units.
As Johnson seeks to strengthen the Bears’ special teams, he believed that Hightower was the right man to continue leading the unit. He and Johnson are connected with that goal.
"Ben has an aggressive mindset, and I love that,” Hightower said. “Really love his aggressive mindset and all of the things that he talked about (that) he wanted to do. Really, what people don't understand about special teams is that when you have that aggressive mindset on special teams ... it helps the other two phases and it helps your football team so much win games. That was really intriguing and exciting to me. So, I'm fired up about that."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on X @CEmma670.