Bears Hire Colts Defensive Coordinator Matt Eberflus As Coach

CHICAGO — Two days after the Chicago Bears filled one major job vacancy, they completed their search for a new head coach, the team officially announced Thursday night

The Bears named Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus as their 17th head coach after Matt Nagy was fired after four seasons. The hire was announced a day after new general manager Ryan Poles interviewed two candidates, including the 51-year-old Eberflus, at Halas Hall.

"I couldn't be more excited to have Matt become the next head coach of the Chicago Bears," Poles said in a statement issued by the team on Thursday night. "His experience, passion, character and attention to detail made him the right man for both the job and the culture we intend to establish here at Halas Hall.

"Throughout the search, Matt impressed me when detailing his vision and plan for our team. We look forward to getting to work and assembling a top-notch staff and roster that will help us consistently compete for championships."

After the Bears went in the direction of hiring Nagy — someone believed to be an offense guru — the Bears will hand off the head coaching duties to a defensive specialist. In meeting with reporters earlier this month, Bears chairman George McCaskey was asked how the development of quarterback Justin Fields would factor into the search for a new head coach.

While several offense-minded coaches were interviewed, including former Colts and Detroit Lions coach Jim Caldwell, the Bears chose Eberflus to take over. After firing Nagy and Pace, McCaskey said he and the team's search committee would be looking for "leaders" to oversee the team's football operations.

The Bears now believe Eberflus is the right person to turn the team into contenders for a Super Bowl title.

"I would like to thank Ryan and the McCaskey family for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lead the Chicago Bears, one of the most storied franchises in all of sports in one of the greatest cities in the world," Eberflus said in a statement issued by the team. "I am truly humbled and honored to be named your head coach and together we will do everything in our power to bring a Super Bowl championship back to Chicago."

Eberflus will now be charged with hiring the right offensive coordinator who can get the most out of Fields, whom the Bears traded up in last year's draft to select. Fields was named the team's starter after Andy Dalton sustained an injury early on and then lost the job to the former Ohio State standout.

Eberflus has worked as the Colts' defensive coordinator for the past four seasons and made marked improvements with a unit that ranked 30th when he took over. Prior to working in Indianapolis, Eberflus worked as a linebackers coach with the Dallas Cowboys and the Browns.

Eberflus worked at the college level at both his alma mater Toledo before moving onto the University of Missouri.

Eberflus was a four-year letterman and three-year starting linebacker at Toledo. He earned first-team All-MAC honors and led his team in tackles as both a junior and senior. Eberflus earned a degree in education in 1993 and was inducted into Toledo's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004.

Now, he will attempt to turn things around for the Bears, who haven't been the same team since Nagy led Chicago to a 12-4 record and a NFC North title in his first season in 2018. Since then, the Bears have missed the playoffs in two of the past season, including this past season when Nagy was fired after a losing season in which McCaskey said the team regressed from previous seasons.

His former bosses in Indianapolis praised Eberflus' efforts in turning the Colts' defense around and believe he can find success in his first head coaching job.

"Matt is an outstanding leader and a man of strong conviction," general manager Chris Ballard said in a statement issued by the Colts on Thursday. "There is a standard that must be met by the players he coaches, and he does a fantastic job targeting their strengths while putting them in the best position to succeed.

"Upon his arrival to Indianapolis, he made immediate gains with our defense and consistently had our unit ranked toward the top of the league. We knew it was only a matter of time before he became a head coach, and he is extremely deserving of this opportunity. Chicago will love Matt's intensity, dedication, and his desire to win."