The wide net the Chicago Bears are casting searching for the nineteenth coach in workforce historical past consists of a minimum of one faculty coach.
The workforce is anticipated to satisfy with Iowa State’s Matt Campbell, based on a number of sources.
Campbell, 45, has been the Cyclones coach since 2016, and his identify has popped up beforehand for jobs not solely at extra conventional faculty powers, but additionally within the NFL. The Detroit Lions had been rumored to be pushing to rent him in 2021, and he additionally has been linked to the New York Jets up to now.
Campbell, who was the coach at Toledo earlier than taking the Iowa State job, guided the Cyclones to an 11-3 file — the first 10-win season in program history — and the Massive 12 title recreation this season. He was rewarded in December with an eight-year contract extension that runs by means of the 2032 season.
He’s the third-longest-tenured coach in program historical past and has essentially the most wins at Iowa State with a 64-51 file and 7 bowl video games in 9 seasons. He coached former Bears operating again David Montgomery in addition to Jets operating again Breece Corridor and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. Defensive finish Will McDonald, drafted by the Jets at No. 15 in 2023, was the primary Iowa State participant in 50 years to be picked within the first spherical.
Bears basic supervisor Ryan Poles made it clear the workforce’s search will take it in many directions. Digital interviews started Wednesday, and the workforce introduced it completed an interview with former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel.
“It’s going to be a various group,” Poles mentioned Tuesday. “This will probably be totally different backgrounds from offense, protection, particular groups, faculty, professional. We’re turning each stone to ensure we’re doing this the suitable method.
“There’s going to be some names that you simply don’t count on which are going to shock you as a result of we’re digging deeper than we ever have earlier than.”
Poles mentioned the Bears will announce the names of candidates after interviews are accomplished, with permission of the candidate. Given the delicate and aggressive nature of faculty recruiting, it’s attainable the Bears wouldn’t launch Campbell’s identify or another faculty coaches they could interview — however the Iowa State coach is a candidate for the job.
The listing continues to turn into extra various.
Chicago Bears coaching search: Who we know are candidates for the job
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