Chicago Bears Hire Paul Pasqualoni as Linebackers Coach
Sep 28, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Connecticut Huskies head coach Paul Pasqualoni on the sideline during the second half against the Buffalo Bulls at University of Buffalo Stadium. Buffalo beat Connecticut 41-12. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Bears hired their new linebackers
scapegoat
, er coach, by bringing in former UConn head coach Paul Pasqualoni. Pasqualoni has head a long coaching career spanning the college and professional ranks. He was Syracuse’s head coach from 1991 – 2004 before moving to the Dallas Cowboys as a positional coach. He moved up to become the Miami Dolphins’ defensive coordinator from 2008-2009.
During his stint as DC with the Dolphins under head coach Tony Sparano, they ranked 15 and 22 in overall defense (based on yards/game) and 9th and 25th in scoring defense respectively. The 2008 season saw the surprising Dolphins earn a trip to the playoffs, riding the latest NFL offensive trend of its time, the Wild Cat. The Dolphins ran a 3-4 defense both of those years.
Jul 26, 2013; Bourbonnais, IL, USA; Chicago Bears linebackers Jonathan Bostic (57) and Khaseem Greene (60) drop back into coverage during training camp at Olivet Nazarene University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Pasqualoni will head up an interesting position group for the Bears, where Shea McClellin is expected to join rookies Jon Bostic and Khaseem Greene and veteran Lance Briggs vying for playing time as the Bears re-shape their defense.
You can immediately file this name away in the pay no mind list, because I’ll guarantee that you didn’t think to yourself “man, Tim Tibesar needs to step up” as the Bears were getting gashed for 200 yards per game last season.
Still no word on who will fill the vacant defensive line position that opened up when Lovie Smith holdover Mike Phair was dismissed.