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Former Bears WR Gets Big Local Coaching Promotion

As the NFL offseason shifts into the next gear, one former Chicago Bears wide receiver just landed a massive coaching job with a local school.

By Devon Platana

A Chicago Bears fan holds a flag in the second half during an NFL International Series game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
A Chicago Bears fan holds a flag in the second half during an NFL International Series game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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The NFL offseason is filled with opportunities for fresh starts. Although much of the offseason focus is on player movement (free agency, trades, etc.), coaches are also given chances to start a new venture — whether it's because they've been fired or were in line for a well-deserved promotion.

The Chicago Bears have provided plenty of fresh starts following Ben Johnson's hiring as the new head coach. Having said that, the current Bears aren't the only ones who are entering new jobs this offseason.

Bears News: D'Wayne Bates Hired as Stevenson High School Athletic Director

On Wednesday, The Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs reported that former Bears WR D'Wayne Bates has been hired by Lincolnshire, IL's Stevenson High School to be the new athletic director. His last job saw him working at Glenbard East High School in Lombard as the assistant principal of athletics.

If anyone is capable of being a solid athletic director, it's Bates.

The Aiken, SC began garnering attention amid a promising collegiate run at Northwestern University (1995-98). It didn't take Bates long to cement himself as one of the Big Ten's top wideouts, racking up 3,128 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns on 193 receptions across four seasons with the Wildcats, earning first-team all-conference honors twice.

Bates' impressive run at Northwestern resulted in his being drafted 71st overall by the Bears in 1999. We would play three seasons in Chicago before spending a pair with the Minnesota Vikings, finishing his five-year career with 80 catches for 1,061 yards and six TDs in 47 outings.

Since retiring in 2005, Bates has spent most of his time teaching and coaching football at Illinois schools. He's even since been honored for his collegiate contributions, having been inducted into the Northwestern Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005.

Bears fans wish Bates nothing but the best of luck in his future endeavors. He's already done a great job with Illinois' high school football programs, leaving time to tell if he'll end up in an NFL coaching role one day.

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