The Bears on Thursday interviewed defensive backs coach Ed Donatell for their vacant defensive coordinator position, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. Chicago also has interest in former Colts head coach Chuck Pagano.
After losing ex-DC Vic Fangio — who became the Broncos’ head coach — earlier this week, the Bears attempted to land former Jets head coach Todd Bowles as their new defensive play-caller, but he ultimately followed Bruce Arians to Tampa Bay. Fangio led a defensive unit which ranked first in nearly every defensive metric, and is so well-stocked with talent that, as Biggs notes, general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy shouldn’t have trouble generating interest in the open position.
Donatell has been a Fangio disciple since 2011, following the longtime DC to both San Francisco and Chicago as a defensive backs coach. He’s also served as a defensive coordinator for the Packers (2000-03), Falcons (2004-06), and Redskins (2008). Per Biggs, Donatell’s contract with the Bears has run out, and if he’s not promoted to DC in Chicago, he’s likely to leave to join Fangio in Denver. Donatell has already had two stints as the Broncos’ defensive backs coach.
Pagano, 58, didn’t coach last season after being fired by Indianapolis, but he’s generated plenty of interest during the 2019 hiring cycle. He interviewed for both the Packers and Broncos head coaching positions, and has since been mentioned as a DC candidate for the Jets, Browns, and Cardinals. Just today, Pagano interviewed for a defensive backs coach position with the Panthers.
I’d go with Pagano.
Id like to see them bring back Lovie Smith. Wasn’t happy with how the front office let him hang as a lame duck coach. Most coaches dumped in that position just go thru the motions but he won 10 games his final year with the Bears. Shows that guys will play for him.
Are you serious? You do know Lovie runs the 4-3 defense right? You want the top defense to change over? You do know it takes a couple of years of drafts to change over right? Try to know what you are talking about this comment makes you look clueless
You do know that the Bears played a lot of 4-3 right? With Goldman and Hicks out there, I know Mack is called a linebacker but in reality the Bears use him as a end mostly. Try to understand football before you chastise someone.
You know Goldman is a 3-4 NT. They play the base defense 30-40% of the time. They have CBs who cover man to man which is against Smiths Tampa 2 defense.
They don’t have the personal to run a 4-3 genius. They don’t have the small quick dt to play the 3 position. Floyd is a linebacker and would be eaten alive as a de. They have two good inside linebackers where does one of those go? Try to know the difference of defenses it helps
Lovie has a job, and is compensated quite well& guaranteed for several more years. Lovie also runs a 4-3 defense. The Bears personnel is tailored for 3-4. No chance.
He should have been rightly fired years before due to his complete inability to fix the offense and ask his incompetent GM for real WRs instead of the high school level talent that he had. Most of the success was with a real DC in Rivera who used multiple defenses that confused opposing QBs and not relying on the other teams QBs to make mistakes.
lol Lovie Smith
Why would Lovie Smith want to take the big paycut and demotion to come to be the Bears DC even if they wanted him to be the DC which no one even does?
I’m still hoping they at least consider Marvin Lewis
Need a coach who runs 3-4. That’s why they may go away from Donatell. Knows Fangio’s system, but never coordinated a 3-4.