The Chicago Bears parted ways with offensive coordinator Luke Getsy earlier this week.Now they’ve begun the search process which includes a current NFL OC, a high level NFL assistant and an outside-the-box candidate from the collegiate level from the Kentucky WIldcats.
While it’s unknown whether his replacement will be tasked with developing an offensive system around Justin Fields and the weapons they would likely acquire by keeping him, or developing one of the “generational” rookies — it’s an interesting job with a lot of questions that come with it.
General manager and head coach Matt Eberflus — who was retained for another season after his defense surged in the second half of 2023 — met with the media earlier this week and discussed the traits they are seeking in their next OC.
Obviously you want to have somebody that’s a great teacher,” Eberflus said. “I think that’s important because you know he has to coach the coaches to coach the position. And I think that’s the No. 1 trait of any great coach – you have to be able to have the innovation to really look at the players that you have and be able to help enhance and put those guys in position to succeed and to get explosives and to move the ball down the field.”
The Chicago Bears’ first interview request is was Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, who is available to explore other opportunities with Pete Carroll out as head coach in Seattle.
It would be interesting to see if Waldron could utilize a similar strategy that he employed with Geno Smith, who was a career backup until taking over the starting role In Seattle and finding success.
Unsurprisingly, Klint Kubiak — the passing game coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers— is also on the list so far. It wouldn’t be an offseason if the Niners coaching staff didn’t get plucked from. At this point, Shanahan has to expect it.
Kubiak’s previous experience as a coordinator always meant his stay with the 49ers was short-term. The worry, much like if defensive coordinator Steve Wilks gets hired away, is how many assistants Kubiak would take with him to the Bears or another team.
Chicago Bears Interviewing Kentucky Wildcats OC Liam Cohen For Vacancy
On Friday, the Chicago Bears announced they were heading to the SEC and bringing in Kentucky OC Liam Cohen for an interview.
Coen just wrapped up his second stint with the Wildcats after leaving to coach under Sean McVay in the NFL before re-joining the Wildcats ahead of the 2023 season.
After his first year at Kentucky as offensive coordinator, Coen was a surprise loss for the coaching staff in Lexington after Sean McVay gave his former assistant a shout once offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell left the Los Angeles Rams to become the Minnesota Vikings head coach.
History might be repeating itself two years later.
Shortly after the spring semester started at the University of Kentucky with the football program putting the final touches on its winter transfer portal haul, news has leaked out that Liam Coen is set to interview for another offensive coordinator position in the NFL.
That spot could be an intriguing one. Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus is entering a hot seat season in 2024, but the Bears own the No. 1 and No. 9 overall picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. General manager Ryan Poles has the chance to totally flip the roster in Chicago with a new quarterback. Coen could join the NFC North organization and potentially help the Bears decide if they want to keep Justin Fields or reset their clocks with Caleb Williams or Drake Maye.
The move would be risky, but the upside is obvious. For Kentucky, this would be a brutal development that would force Kentucky Wildcats Mark Stoops to make a fourth offensive coordinator hires in four consecutive offseasons.
In his second tour of duty at Kentucky, Liam Coen’s offense finished the 2023 season ranked No. 23 in red zone touchdown percentage, No. 40 in yards per play, and No. 51 in points per drive. All improvements from 2022. Efficiency was a significant issue for the offense, but Kentucky had knockout power in the explosive play department.
The play-caller played a major role on the recruiting trail helping the program sign for Kentucky and maybe Liam Cohen isn’t a flashy name Chicago Bears fans are hoping for, but he’s proven himself at both the collegiate and pro levels. So whichever quarterback they go with, he could be a major asset.
Leave a Reply