(670 The Score) Colts general manager Chris Ballard had high praise for the Bears’ hiring of new coach Matt Eberflus, who worked as Indianapolis’ defensive coordinator for the past four seasons.
“He’s extremely disciplined,” Ballard said of Eberflus on the Mully & Haugh Show. “He’s not afraid to hold the players accountable and really everybody in the program, he’ll hold accountable to a high standard. If you just look at his background of who he’s worked for – you know, he played for coach (Nick) Saban, he worked for Gary Pinkel, who was outstanding at Missouri, moved on to Dallas, where he got to be under Rod (Marinelli), then coming here, all the coaches he’s worked for are extremely disciplined, they have very high standards and he holds players accountable. They will play hard for Matt, because that’s what he’ll demand.”
Ballard knows the Bears organization well, having worked in Chicago from 2001 to 2012, the first 11 years as a scout before becoming the director of pro scouting. He then worked in Kansas City for four seasons, where he was in the same front office as new Chicago general manager Ryan Poles.
“You knew it early on in Kansas City, we did, that he was really talented,” Ballard said of Poles. “He’s extremely organized and highly intelligent. He’s a great teammate. He’s not afraid to admit when he messes things up, which I think endears him to everybody he works with. I think he’s got a really strong vision.”