The Chicago Bears named Thomas Brown their interim head coach after firing Matt Eberflus following their Thanksgiving Day loss to the Detroit Lions. Eberflus’ clock management at the end of the three-point loss, which extended the team’s losing streak to six games, was likely a factor in the decision. This marks the first time in franchise history that the Bears have fired a head coach during the season.
The Bears were a popular pick to make the playoffs after selecting QB Caleb Williams and WR Rome Odunze with two top-10 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. Here’s a look at the Bears’ revamped crew.
Chicago Bears Coaching Staff
- Thomas Brown, Interim Head Coach/Interim Offensive Coordinator
- Eric Washington, Defensive Coordinator
- Richard Hightower, Special Teams Coordinator
- Kerry Joseph, Quarterbacks
- Dave Borgonzi, Linebackers
- Zach Cable, Offensive Quality Control
- Andre Curtis, Secondary/Safeties
- Jim Dray, Tight Ends
- Bryan Bing, Assistant Defensive Line
- Jon Hoke, Cornerbacks/Defensive Passing Game Coordinator
- Ryan Griffin, Offensive Assistant/Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers
- Kevin Koch, Defensive Quality Control
- Kenny Norton III, Defensive Quality Control
- Chris Morgan, Offensive Line/Offensive Run Game Coordinator
- David Overstreet II, Nickelbacks
- Carlos Polk, Assistant Special Teams
- Travis Smith, Defensive Line
- Jason Houghtaling, Assistant Offensive Line
- Chad Morton, Running Backs
- Jennifer King, Offensive Assistant/Running Backs
- Chris Beatty, Wide Receivers
- Robbie Picazo, Offensive Assistant/Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers
- Matt Pees, Defensive Analyst
2024 Additions to the Chicago Bears Coaching Staff
In the 2024 offseason, Eberflus and the Bears’ front office parted ways with former offensive coordinator Luke Getsy. In his place, Chicago hired former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. The Bears fired Waldron in November and promoted Brown to interim offensive coordinator.
Brown joined the Bears’ staff in the 2024 offseason as the passing game coordinator. A former running back for the Atlanta Falcons and Cleveland Browns, he began his coaching career in 2011 with Georgia and transitioned to the NFL in 2020 with the Los Angeles Rams. While primarily a running backs coach, Brown has also held several offensive coordinator and assistant head coaching roles throughout his career.
Chicago hired former Buffalo Bills assistant head coach and defensive line coach Eric Washington to fill the defensive coordinator void left by Alan Williams’ resignation in Week 2 of the 2023 season.
Washington returned to the Bears after serving on the defensive staff from 2008 to 2010. In his 17th season in the NFL, Washington has seven years of coaching experience at the college level.
While some familiar faces have stayed on the staff, new coordinators on offense and defense mean more shakeups in position coaches. Chad Morton and Robbie Picazo join Waldron in his move to the Windy City. Morton will be the running backs coach, while Picazo will be the offensive assistant for quarterbacks and wide receivers.
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Additionally, the Bears made franchise history by hiring Jennifer King as the offensive assistant/running backs coach. After spending the past four years with the Washington Commanders, King was the first African-American female assistant coach in NFL history. She will be the first-ever female coach in Bears history.