(670 The Score) The Bears have completed a virtual interview with Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn for their head coaching position, the team announced Saturday afternoon.
Glenn was permitted to conduct a virtual interview with the Bears given the Lions earned a bye in the wild-card round as the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
The 52-year-old Glenn was a three-time Pro Bowl cornerback during his 15-year NFL playing career. He has served as the Lions’ defensive coordinator for the last four years under head coach Dan Campbell.
The Lions ranked seventh in scoring defense and 20th in total defense in the 2024 season despite a rash of injuries to key players on that side of the ball.
Glenn is also set to interview with the Jets, Saints, Jaguars and Raiders.
The Bears have a head coach opening after firing Matt Eberflus on Nov. 29. That marked the first ever in-season firing of a head coach in franchise history.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles – who has been retained for a fourth season in his position – is considered the “point man” in this coaching search, team president/CEO Kevin Warren said.
Poles will be joined in the search process by Warren, chairman George McCaskey, senior director of player personnel Jeff King, director of football administration Matt Feinstein and chief human resources officer Liz Geist. The Bears may also include members of their senior leadership team in the interview process. Eleven individuals hold titles of executive vice president or senior vice president.
The Bears have stated their intention to conduct a wide-ranging coaching search. Poles began the process shortly after firing Eberflus, starting by gathering background information and making phone calls to gather intel on potential candidates.
“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. “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.”
Glenn is the seventh candidate the Bears have interviewed as of late Saturday afternoon. They've also interviewed former Titans coach Mike Vrabel, Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on X @CEmma670.