The Chicago Bears are actively seeking their 19th head coach, with a notable interview conducted on Sunday with Tennessee State coach Eddie George. George, who gained fame as the NFL's rookie of the year in 1996 with the Tennessee Titans, is among several high-profile candidates the Bears have considered. His illustrious career includes 128 consecutive starts at running back from 1996 to 2003 and an impressive record of appearing in nine playoff games. Unique to his legacy, George is one of only two NFL running backs to rush for over 10,000 yards without ever missing a start, joining the legendary Jim Brown.
In their search, the Bears have also interviewed former Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy and former Washington Commanders and Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera within the past week. The team's efforts to find a suitable candidate have been extensive, involving virtual meetings with Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken and Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady on Friday. Further engagements took place on Saturday with Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich.
Eddie George brings a wealth of experience and recent success from his coaching tenure at Tennessee State. Hired in 2021, he has led the Tigers to a 24-22 record over four seasons and steered them to a notable 9-4 record and a berth in the FCS playoffs in 2024. His association with the Bears began during the 2023 offseason when he joined as a Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching fellow for a 15-day stretch during OTAs.
The Bears' proactive approach ensures compliance with the NFL's Rooney Rule, which mandates two in-person interviews with external diverse candidates for any head coaching vacancy. The Bears have interviewed both Lions coordinators, OC Ben Johnson and DC Aaron Glenn, during Detroit's first-round bye last weekend, further expanding their pool of candidates.
With Monday marking the start of permissible interviews with head coaching candidates currently employed by NFL teams, the Bears continue their diligent pursuit of a new leader. As they navigate this critical decision-making process, they aim to secure a head coach who will guide them to future triumphs.
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