The Chicago Bears have a myriad of problems around their franchise as they try to find their next head coach, but they should be able to attract some quality names based on the idea of working with promising No. 1 pick Caleb Williams and some high-end pieces to work with on defense.
Many of the hottest names on the Bears fanbase's radar are NFL offensive coordinators, as names like Ben Johnson and Kliff Kingsbury could get the most out of Williams. The front office may go in a different direction, bringing in a defensive-minded college coach.
Ryan Poles and Kevin Warren may have been influenced by how the College Football Playoff has progressed, as Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has helped a somewhat inferior Fighting Irish roster claw their way into the National Championship. Could he have a similar impact on the Bears?
According to Tom Pelissero, the Bears are considering adding Freeman to the list of coaches they will inquire with as they try to find the next leading man for this franchise. The jump to the pros is tough, but Freeman is quickly building a very impressive resume.
Bears considering Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman as next head coach
Freeman, who was drafted by the Bears in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft after a great career as an Ohio State linebacker, has a 33-9 record in charge of the Fighting Irish. The losses are weird, as Freeman has fallen in South Bend to Stanford, Marshall, and Northern Illinois during his tenure.
Freeman still won 19 games in his first two seasons before going on an improbable run to the National Championship this season. Freeman, who has won all five of his postseason games with the gold-domers, will get more NFL interest next head coaching cycle if he keeps winning.
On top of the fact that NFL teams hiring college coaches has traditionally been a poor decision outside of a few Jimmy Johnson or Jim Harbaugh-type stars, Freeman has a defensive background. His reputation as one of the finest defensive minds in college football is well-established, but can he get the most out of Williams?
If there is any college coach an NFL team should consider hiring, Freeman might be the best one on the market. His leadership qualities are indisputable, which could make him the best candidate for a Bears team that needs a fiery general to lead them into battle.