Is this college coach a Chicago Bears head coach candidate?
The Chicago Bears are likely to move on from their head coach at the end of the season. It brings plenty of questions about who will be candidates to step in for the job. Whether or not Ryan Pace is still the GM will be very telling, but either way, it is worth looking into all possible names.
Luke Fickell is a name that has been talked about with the Chicago Bears in recent days. Another name that has popped up in NFL circles is Matt Campbell.
Tom Pelissero listed Matt Campbell on his up-and-coming coaches list, a list that 14 NFL hires have appeared on in past seasons.
Beyond that, there is some buzz that Chicago will look into college coaches, and that Matt Campbell is an option.
Strategically leaked “Luke Fickell spoke to Lions about their Head Coaching vacancy last offseason” tells us the Cincinnati Coach is interested in the NFL. Iowa State’s Matt Campbell is also interested. 2 very good fits for #Bears. I bet they go the College Route.
— Chad Forbes (@NFLDraftBites) December 7, 2021
Why Chicago Bears should hire Matt Campbell
Matt Campbell is more than just a coach with a system or a scheme. He is a culture builder, and that is what you want from your leader of men. In 2016, Campbell took over a terrible Iowa State program. From 3-9 his first season, Campbell has ground out five straight winning seasons, something unheard of in Ames.
His scheme changes. He can run the ball right at you and spread the ball away. His defense changes based on the scheme. More than that, he is not afraid to let his coordinators do their job.
Campbell obviously has a relationship with David Montgomery, who was his best skill player during his tenure. Beyond that, Campbell is losing Brock Purdy, his long-time starter at quarterback. Iowa State has been on the rise every year, but after peaking in the top 10 last season, his team fell from 9 wins to 7, and was unranked.
Perhaps Campbell did his part, and after five years, he knows this is a good breaking point. He built a program from bottom feeder to competitive and maybe on to his next task of doing the same to an NFL program.
Why Chicago Bears should pass on hiring Matt Campbell
It is one thing to note that Campbell is still young, and his coaching upside is vast. He is not a long-time college coach such as Steve Spurrier or Urban Meyer. Still, how often do college coaches work out when they make the jump? Even Matt Rhule is showing that the program builder, culture guy can struggle without the right pieces.
As noted, bringing Iowa State up was impressive, but his records go 8-5, 8-5, 7-6, 9-3, 7-5. He has arguably taken them to a place where they have plateaued. That is great for a program like Iowa State, but you have to wonder if his best fit is turning bad into good, but not good into great.
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Lastly is the question of who his coordinators will be. He would rely heavily on them, and without any NFL experience, fans had better hope that he brings in a couple of coordinators who have worked in the NFL.