Chicago Bears eyeing change for special teams coordinator

With former Indianapolis Colts head coach Matt Eberflus now in place as the Chicago Bears‘ head coach, the attention has turned to how Eberflus will fill out the rest of his coaching staff. In the hours after the Eberflus hire was reported on Thursday, the focus immediately turned to the potential offensive and defensive coordinators that will follow Eberflus to the Bears.

While the Bears have yet to make an official hire at either the offensive coordinator or defensive coordinator positions, there has been movement in regards to their special teams’ coordinator position. On Thursday night, it was reported that the Carolina Panthers have signed Bears’ special teams coordinator Chris Tabor to a three-year deal. Tabor will serve in the same position with the Panthers as he did with the Bears.

Tabor has served as the Bears’ special teams coordinator for the past three seasons. Under Tabor, the Bears’ special teams’ unit has flourished, specifically in the return game. Over recent seasons, the Bears’ special teams have featured to pro-bowl returners in the forms of Jakeem Grant and Cordarelle Patterson.

With Tabor no longer serving as the Bears’ special teams coordinator, the team already has an eye on his replacement. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune is reporting that the Bears have targeted Oakland Raiders head coach Rich Bisaccia to replace Tabor as the team’s special teams coordinator. Bisaccia is under consideration to be named the permanent head coach of the Raiders and has already interviewed for the position. If Bisaccia is not retained by the Raiders, the expectation is that he will join the Bears’ staff.

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus appears to be off to an impressive start in regards to completing his coaching staff.

Bisaccia has been universally praised for the job he did has the Raiders’ interim head coach last season. Despite the off-field controversies with former Raiders’ head coach Jon Gruden and former wide receiver Henry Ruggs III, Bisaccia managed to coach the Raiders to a playoff berth.

Bisaccia would be home run hire for the Bears and Eberflus. Adding Bisaccia as the Bears’ special teams coordinator would also provide encouragement for the plan that the Bears head coach has in regards to his offensive staff. It would appear that Eberflus is leaving no stone unturned in regards to completing his coaching staff and that will speak well for his offensive coordinator and the plan to develop Justin Fields.

What should also be noted is the connection that Bisaccia has to defensive coach Rod Marinelli. Marinelli worked under Bisaccia with the Raiders as a defensive line coach. Marinelli, the mentor to Eberflus, is a candidate to join the Bears’ staff in some capacity. One thing is clear with Eberflus, the importance of filling out a competent coaching staff is not lost upon the new Chicago Bears head coach.