The Chicago Bears fired three offensive assistant coaches on New Years Eve including offensive line coach Harry Hiestand. That came as a big surprise given the man had a track record of success stretching back almost two decades. This either meant his effect was slipping or he was simply not a good fit for what head coach Matt Nagy wanted. It now seems it was more of the latter as the Bears wasted no time in finding a replacement.
Shortly after Michigan concluded their season with a loss to Alabama, it was reported by Tom Pelissero that the Bears had hired their analyst and assistant coach Juan Castillo to join the staff. This is something that was rumored almost immediately after Hiestand was fired. Castillo was an offensive line coach in the NFL from 1998 to 2017. He spent most of that time under Andy Reid with the Philadelphia Eagles. He and Nagy ended up working on the same staff for five years. So there is a definite familiarity.
Castillo produced fronts that delivered a top 10 rushing attack six times and also helped the Baltimore Ravens win the Super Bowl in 2012. His NFL track record is even more decorated than Hiestand’s and the Reid connection means he’ll have a far better understanding of what Nagy wants out of his blocking schemes. It’s as good of a hire as the Bears could’ve hoped for.
Chicago Bears should be in good hands with Castillo
Castillo is a Texas native who got into the NFL in the mid-1990s. He was one of the only holdovers on the coaching staff when Reid took over in 1999. Considering the head coach had a deep offensive line background himself, that was a major compliment. Castillo rewarded that faith by producing steady offensive fronts for the Eagles throughout their glorious run in the 2000s where they reached five NFC championship games and the Super Bowl in 2004.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
In fact, Reid grew to trust Castillo so much that in 2011 he promoted him to defensive coordinator for the Eagles. A move that shocked a lot of people given the man’s offensive background. The results were equally shocking as Philadelphia finished 10th in points allowed and 8th overall. A surefire sign the guy knows how to coach.
