With James Rowe leaving for the college ranks, the Chicago Bears needed a new coach for their cornerbacks. They looked into veteran names like Jerry Gray and Chris Harris. Both landed with other teams. In the end, head coach Matt Eberflus decided to reach back to the past for a familiar face. The Bears announced on Wednesday that they’d made some changes to their coaching staff, headlined by the hiring of Jon Hoke as the new passing game coordinator and cornerbacks coach.
Hoke is one of the most well-traveled assistant coaches in the NFL. He’s 66 years old and brings four decades of experience. He spent six season with the Bears from 2009 to 2014, helping them to become one of the best defenses in the NFL at forcing turnovers. Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings reached multiple Pro Bowls under his watch. He also helped a rookie Kyle Fuller get his career started with four interceptions. This man knows the style of defense Eberflus wants to play. So this hire makes plenty of sense.
“The Bears on Wednesday announced several changes among the coaching staff and football operations. New additions to the coaching staff include Jon Hoke (cornerbacks/passing game coordinator), Zach Cable (offensive quality control), Isaiah Harris (player engagement/strength & conditioning) and Pierre Ngo (assistant strength & conditioning).
Promotions were announced for Omar Young (assistant quarterbacks and wide receivers coach) and Carla Suber (director of wellness). Additionally, Mike Wiley Jr. has been named director of mental skills/performance.”
Hoke should provide what the Chicago Bears are looking for.
While his pass defenses since leaving the team have been hit and miss, one thing that has remained constant is the ability of his defensive backs to force turnovers. It was true in Tampa Bay with guys like Brent Grimes and Keith Tandy and again in Atlanta with A.J. Terrell and Jaylinn Hawkins. Hoke knows how to coach players the right way in this defense. He should be able to help Jaylon Johnson, who only has one interception in his career to this point. Eddie Jackson and Kyler Gordon will love him.
The truth is this might be the most talented secondary Hoke has coached in years. You have a former All-Pro in Jackson, and three former 2nd round picks in Gordon, Johnson, and Jaquan Brisker. It is a young and athletic group with tons of upside. If the Chicago Bears can get a better pass rush in front of them, Hoke will have them stealing footballs left and right. It might not be a flashy hire, but it’s one that makes sense for what they are trying to accomplish.
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