Interesting details have come out regarding Matt Eberflus over the past week. He was not the expected choice for Chicago Bears head coach. Yet a chance connection with GM Ryan Poles that began years ago laid the groundwork for it to happen. Even then, it wasn’t a done deal. Eberflus revealed to The Athletic that he had another offer on the table with the Jacksonville Jaguars. After some careful consideration and consulting his wife, he chose the Bears.
His exact reasons for the decision remain a bit unclear outside of his strong liking of Poles. As it turns out, another little detail might’ve just emerged in the unlikeliest of places. The head coach sat down with Bears reporter Lauren Screeden to discuss some fun topics about his background, hobbies, and other tidbits. A way for fans to learn a bit more about the man. It was here that Eberflus let slip where his intrigue with Chicago probably began.
“Screeden: Who was your sports idol growing up?
Eberflus: Dick Butkus
Screeden: I think I’ve heard of him.
Eberflus: Yeah, I was a linebackers guy. So you know. He was one of my heroes.”
This explains a lot.
Matt Eberflus was born in 1970. So by the time he grew up and began having an interest in football, the mystique of Dick Butkus was still very much a thing in the 1980s. As a senior linebacker at Whitmer High School, he led his team to the state semifinals. This led to him walking on at Toledo, where he racked up 325 tackles from 1988 to 1991. He was one of the best linebackers in school history and became infamous for his intensity and physical play.
Sounds like a certain other linebacker Bears fans might remember. One can only imagine what went through Eberflus’ head when he realized he’d have a chance to coach the team where the player he idolized became famous. No wonder it only took a half-hour to make such a big decision. If he is about to bring some of that old Butkus mentality back to Chicago as head coach, then the franchise might be in good hands after all.
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