(670 The Score) The Bears have officially begun a search for their 17th head coach in franchise history after firing Matt Nagy as well as general manager Ryan Pace on Monday.
It marks the Bears' fourth coaching search in the last nine years and is a pivotal point for a franchise hoping to build around 22-year-old quarterback Justin Fields. But after prioritizing an offensive-minded coach in hiring Nagy four years ago, the Bears would be wise to diversify their interview process and consider the best overall fit rather than a specific specialty.
With that in mind, here's a look at candidates who will likely be in play and on the Bears' radar.
Jim Harbaugh, Michigan head coach
It remains to be seen whether Harbaugh is seriously considering a return to the NFL or is simply looking to create leverage for a pay raise at Michigan. Either way, there figures to be traction between Harbaugh and the Bears, for whom he played as a quarterback for seven seasons from 1987-'93.
Before reinvigorating his alma mater's program, Harbaugh had a highly successful tenure as 49ers head coach that included leading San Francisco to an NFC championship and a Super Bowl appearance in the 2012 season. The 58-year-old Harbaugh was 44-19-1 (.695) with the 49ers from 2011-'14 and currently owns a 90-45 mark (.667) at the FBS level in college, including going 61-24 at Michigan across the past seven seasons.
Ryan Day, Ohio State head coach
After drafting Justin Fields last April, the Bears could turn to his head coach at Ohio State. The 42-year-old Day is 34-4 since taking over the Buckeyes' program and it would certainly be a possibility worth exploring for the Bears.
Like Harbaugh, Day is still seeking a new contract so his name may become prominent in NFL coaching searches. Whether the interest is authentic is not clear, but there would be appeal to joining Fields in Chicago.
Nathaniel Hackett, Packers offensive coordinator
When the Falcons requested permission to interview Hackett last January, Packers star quarterback Aaron Rodgers personally called the Atlanta organization to vouch for him. Whether he'd call the Bears is another story, but the strong connection between Hackett and Rodgers is clear.
Hackett has emerged as an intriguing name in this coaching cycle given his quality work with Rodgers, who's in line to win his second MVP in a row. Though Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is the team's primary play-caller, Hackett's fingerprints are all over Green Bay's offense, which ranked 10th in the NFL in yardage and scoring in 2021.
Brian Daboll, Bills offensive coordinator
A key part of Bills star quarterback Josh Allen's rise has been the guidance of Daboll, who has been Buffalo's offensive coordinator for four seasons alongside defensive-minded head coach Sean McDermott.
Daboll arrived in Buffalo from Alabama and has helped the Bills build one of the NFL's best offenses. Buffalo ranked third in total offense and fifth in scoring in 2021. Daboll has worked under Bill Belichick and Nick Saban during his coaching career.
Jim Caldwell, former head coach of Colts and Lions
Caldwell, 66, is looking for his third job as an NFL head coach after leading the Colts (2009-'11) and Lions (2014-'17) previously. He posted a 62-50 record (.554) over seven seasons spent with Indianapolis and Detroit.
Since being fired by the Lions, Caldwell has worked as the Dolphins' quarterbacks coach for the past three years. Given his prior success as a head coach, Caldwell has emerged once again as a candidate in this cycle.
Todd Bowles, Buccaneers defensive coordinator
When the Bears set out on a coaching search in January 2015, Bowles was a strong candidate in Chicago. He instead was hired by the Jets, whom he led to a 10-6 record in his first season. He lasted four years in New York before being fired with a 26-41 record in his Jets tenure.
Bowles has since rebuilt his stock working under mentor Bruce Arians, earning a Super Bowl ring last season while leading a stout Buccaneers defense. Tampa Bay ranked fifth in scoring defense in 2021.
Dan Quinn, Cowboys defensive coordinator
After joining the Cowboys last January, Quinn has reminded that he's a terrific defensive mind. He took over a Cowboys defense that allowed 29.6 points per game in 2020 and oversaw vast improvement, as Dallas allowed just 21.1 points per game in 2021, a figure that ranked seventh in the NFL.
Quinn, 51, was one of the Bears' top candidates in 2015 before Chicago hired John Fox. He instead went to Atlanta, compiling a 43-42 record with the Falcons and leading the team to an NFC championship and a Super Bowl appearance in his second season. However, Quinn will forever be tied to the Falcons' infamy of blowing a 28-3 lead in a loss to the Patriots in Super Bowl LI.
Byron Leftwich, Buccaneers offensive coordinator
A first-round pick of the Jaguars in 2003, Leftwich had a nine-year playing career and has since risen the ranks as a coach. He worked under Arians as a quarterbacks coach for the Cardinals in 2017 before later joining him in 2019 as the Buccaneers' offensive coordinator.
Leftwich has served as the Buccaneers' primary offensive play-caller, building a strong rapport with future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady and earning a Super Bowl ring last year.
Kellen Moore, Cowboys offensive coordinator
Following his retirement after the 2017 season, Moore quickly took over as the Cowboys' quarterbacks coach. Despite being 33years old and coaching for just four seasons, Moore is a hot candidate who will garner interest in the coming weeks.
Moore has been the Cowboys' primary offensive play-caller this season, leading a unit that ranked first in scoring (31.2) and yardage (407.0) per game this season.
Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern head coach
Fitzgerald has previously turned down opportunities to interview with the Packers, Browns and other NFL teams, but the Bears would be different. A Chicago native, Fitzgerald would have interest in leading the Bears.
Three years ago, Fitzgerald told me in an interview that he hoped to remain at Northwestern as he held the dream of coaching his three sons. But he now works for a new athletic director in Evanston, and the allure of the Bears might be too good to pass up. Fitzgerald is 109-90 (.548) in 16 years at Northwestern.
Leslie Frazier, Bills defensive coordinator
It was a tough run for Frazier as head coach of the Vikings from 2010-'13, as the Vikings went 21-32-1 before he was let go. He has since rebuilt his stock as defensive coordinator and assistant head coach in Buffalo.
Frazier, 62, played for the Bears from 1981-'85 and was a member of the franchise's lone Super Bowl-winning team.
Bill O'Brien, Alabama offensive coordinator
After being fired by the Houston Texans in October 2020, O'Brien went the same route of many coaches by joining forces with Saban in Tuscaloosa.
O'Brien, 52, has led the Crimson Tide's offense to 41.1 points per game this season and has been preparing for the national championship game Monday night in Indianapolis.
O'Brien's downfall with the Texans was largely a result of his own failings as a general manager more than his work as a head coach. He was 52-48 (.520) in Houston and led the team to four AFC South crowns in seven seasons. He'll likely be in consideration for several other jobs in the NFL.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
