Everybody likes to talk about the 1985 Chicago Bears, even today. That’s understandable. It was and still is one of the greatest teams ever assembled. At least from a pure roster standpoint. There were Hall of Famers everywhere. On the other hand, one could make a strong argument that the 2006 Bears team, while not as strong in personnel, may have had the better coaching staff.
Of course things started with Lovie Smith. He transformed the team into a legitimate contender that reached two NFC championship games and of course the Super Bowl that fateful 2006 season. Next was defensive coordinator Ron Rivera. He has taken over command control of the Carolina Panthers and led them to the Super Bowl in 2015.
Most people think about those two names when that Bears team comes up in conversations. Few knew it at the time, but it turns out that coaching staff was significantly more loaded with talent than first imagined. In fact a number of the names on it are now poised to become head coaches in 2018.
2006 Bears staff could feature four eventual head coaches
As stated earlier Rivera was the first assistant on that staff to get his own team. Looking at the field of coaches available this coming off-season, there could be three more on the way. Perhaps one of them could look to bring back some of that ’06 mojo to a Bears team yearning to become a winner again.
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Dave Toub
- Then: Special teams coordinator
- Now: Special teams coordinator for Chiefs
The mastermind of the Devin Hester era has continued to do his thing ever since he left the Bears in 2013. Toub is at the top of the heap among special teams coaches and has arguably waited longer for his head coaching shot than he should’ve. Odds are if he’d coached offense or defense he would’ve been scooped five years ago.
Harold Goodwin
- Then: Assistant offensive line coach
- Now: Offensive coordinator for Cardinals
One of those coaches that success just seems to follow. After reaching the Super Bowl with Chicago, he headed off to Pittsburgh where he won a ring in 2008. His star continued to rise until Bruce Arians made him the offensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals. With his help Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald were able to squeeze some excellent seasons out of what many thought were fading careers.
Steve Wilks
- Then: Defensive backs coach
- Now: Defensive coordinator for Panthers
The most recent addition to the list. Wilks has been a favorite of Rivera for years. Assistant head coach for the Carolina Panthers since 2015, he became defensive coordinator this season. As a result the defense went from 21st a season ago to fifth as of now. It’s a remarkable turnaround in such a short span, earning Wilks some much-deserved attention.
Any one of these men have shown they’re qualified to lead. They also proved they understood how to build a winner in Chicago. If the Bears are intent on bringing back a familiar face to recapture that old magic, then they have a larger than expected selection to choose from.
