Chicago Bears Hire Chuck Pagano as New Defensive Coordinator
Only one day after Vic Fangio was named head coach of the Denver Broncos, the Chicago Bears quickly filled their void at defensive coordinator by hiring Chuck Pagano. The Bears immediately posted on Twitter a statement by head coach Matt Nagy about the new addition to the franchise.
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) January 12, 2019
Pagano has coached in the NFL for 16 years, but he is most known for his work as defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens and as head coach for the Indianapolis Colts. As DC with the Ravens in 2011, Pagano helped lead a defense that finished the season ranked third in total defense, fourth in pass defense, and second against the run. This defensive unit also finished the 2011 season tied for third in sacks (48).
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As a head coach in Indianapolis, Pagano took the Colts to the playoffs in three consecutive seasons (2012-14), winning the AFC South twice and advancing all the way to the AFC Championship game in 2014.
Pagano will be joining a Bears defense that was the highest-scoring defensive unit in the league in 2018, and a team that has four defensive Pro Bowlers—three of which are also All Pros.
Some fans thought that Chicago would promote defensive backs coach Ed Donatell to defensive coordinator because of his familiarity with the defense, but there is a chance that he’ll follow Fangio to the Mile High City. Seeing if the hiring of Pagano is an upgrade from Fangio remains to be seen. What we do know is that Pagano knows how to win, and that is something that will definitely help the Bears improve on their 12-4 2018 season.