Most general managers get two shots at choosing a head coach, and Bears general manager Ryan Poles will get a chance to course correct after firing Matt Eberflus on Friday. Team president Kevin Warren said in a statement he supported Poles in his decision to make a coaching change, and source said the two will work together to hire a new coach.
When Warren said Friday, “Our organizational and operational structure is strong, focused, aligned and energized for the future,” that included Poles.
Theoretically, it will be a more sensible process than the rushed hire of Ebeflus in January of 2022. In that situation, chairman George McCaskey and former president Ted Phillips led a committee that began interviewing head-coaching candidates shortly after the season and long before Poles was hired.
When the Bears hired Poles on Jan. 25, it appeared they already had narrowed their field to three finalists: Eberflus, Dan Quinn and Jim Caldwell. Poles hired Eberflus on Jan. 27.
Bears interim coach Thomas Brown also is in the mix and has a chance to vault himself to the top of the list over the next five games.
The Bears’ job would be arguably the most desirable opportunity for top candidates in January — if it wasn’t the Bears. That’s an image Kevin Warren and Ryan Poles must repair as much as possible.
His final costly decision led to a loss against the Lions and started a stunning 24 hours at Halas Hall.