Bears Coaching Staff Coming to Fruition With Three Major Hires

With Ben Johnson stepping into the role of Head Coach for the Chicago Bears as a first-time leader, there were widespread expectations that he would need to surround himself with a highly experienced coaching staff to fully leverage the team's potential. Within less than a week of his appointment as the 19th head coach in the illustrious history of the Bears franchise, Johnson has made significant strides in assembling his core team by selecting three key coordinators. According to a reliable league source, the Bears have secured Declan Doyle as the offensive coordinator, Dennis Allen as the defensive coordinator, and will retain Richard Hightower in the special teams coordinator role.

Doyle, who is just 28 years old, has gained valuable experience coaching tight ends for the Denver Broncos since 2023. His journey in the NFL coaching landscape began with four seasons as an offensive assistant with the New Orleans Saints, where he honed his skills and understanding of offensive strategies. This young talent brings a fresh perspective to the Bears' offense, which Johnson has indicated he will continue to oversee. Having spent three successful seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, Johnson is committed to calling the offensive plays himself. His primary focus in hiring Doyle was to find a partner who could help develop tailored game plans for each opponent, ensuring that the Bears' offense is as dynamic and adaptable as possible.

On the defensive side of the ball, Johnson has chosen Dennis Allen, a coach with a lengthy history rooted in the Saints' coaching tree—a lineage known for producing innovative leaders, including Lions head coach Dan Campbell and former Detroit defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who is now at the helm of the New York Jets. Allen was widely regarded as the frontrunner for the Bears' defensive coordinator position immediately after Johnson's hiring became official.

Allen's coaching career began with the Saints, where he served from 2006 until 2011 before moving on to the Denver Broncos as their defensive coordinator. His tenure in Denver was followed by a challenging chapter as head coach of the Oakland Raiders, where he was dismissed early into the 2014 season. Following this setback, he returned to the Saints as a senior defensive assistant, eventually rising to the role of defensive coordinator after Rob Ryan's departure. With a wealth of experience, Allen was appointed the head coach of the Saints in 2022 after Sean Payton's decision to step down. However, his time in that position was cut short as he was relieved of his duties midway through the 2024 season. As he joins the Bears, Allen brings not only his extensive background but also a renewed ambition to build an effective and formidable defense in Chicago.