One thing Matt Nagy is great about is working hard to get opportunities for young coaches trying to find their way in the business. That’s because he was them at one point in his career. After finishing up his playing days in the Arena League, he was on the cusp of entering real estate. Then an internship with the Philadelphia Eagles changed his life. He made a great impression, got a job, and 10 years later was head coach of the Chicago Bears.
Andy Reid taught him the value of opening those doors for aspiring coaches. Besides, you never know when you might uncover a gem that can help the staff moving forward. Just like Nagy did. Thus he’s spent every offseason giving similar opportunities to guys through the Bill Walsh diversity coaching fellowship.
The program basically uses NFL clubs’ training camps, offseason workouts, and minicamps to give coaches opportunities to gain critical experience. The Bears did in 2018 and 2019. Now they’re doing it again. The best part is the two guys granted that shot are both former Bears according to Adam Jahns of the Athletic.
Matt Nagy has a good eye for smart people
Diehard fans will recognize the names right away. Burris came out of Temple University. He started his career in the CFL but earned a shot in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers in 2001. He eventually made the roster with the Bears in 2002. Across six games that season, he threw for 207 yards with three touchdowns and five interceptions. It was the only game action he would see in the NFL. He eventually found his way back to the CFL where he became one of its all-time greats winning three Grey Cups and two league MVPs.
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Timu was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Bears in 2015. He came out of Washington. While not a physical specimen, he quickly developed a reputation for great instincts and intelligence. His crowning moment came in a win over Tampa Bay as a rookie, collecting six tackles and recovering two fumbles. He stuck on the roster through 2017 but was part of final cuts in 2018. The XFL granted him one last stint but after the league folded, it appears he’s ready to start the next phase of his football career as a coach.
Both men bring high intelligence to the table. It will be fun to see how they embrace this opportunity.