It is never fun to think about possible new head coach options with seven games left in a season. Sadly, that is where the Chicago Bears find themselves. Matt Eberflus has had arguably the worst month of his coaching career. After starting 4-2 this season, everything has gone wrong since the bye week. It began with the Hail Mary loss in Washington. Then came back-to-back blowout losses to Arizona and New England before another brutal last-second loss, this time to Green Bay on a blocked field goal. On top of that, Eberflus had to fire offensive coordinator Shane Waldron after just nine games due to incompetence.
Most of the blame for this downturn can be laid at the head coach’s feet. With the most demanding schedule in the NFL remaining, there is almost no chance the Bears will make the playoffs, let alone improve on their 7-10 record of last season. This is why whispers have already begun that the organization is looking for possible replacements. Two sources informed SM that one name that has their attention is Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman.
For one, he actually has ties to the organization. He was a 5th round pick for them in 2009, spending training camp with the team that year. Unfortunately, he was forced to retire a year later due to an enlarged heart condition. He jumped into coaching from there and managed to rise to become head coach of the Irish in only a decade. Since then, the program has improved each year, going from 9-4 to 10-3 and is now 10-1. They look like a strong contender for the College Football Playoffs.
The other part is Chicago Bears team president Kevin Warren. He has deep connections across the college football world, having served as Big Ten commissioner between 2019 and 2023. It isn’t a surprise he’d be looking down that avenue for possible head coaching options. Freeman received some NFL buzz last year, but nothing came of it. Most believe he loves it in South Bend.
His reputation speaks for itself. Freeman is known for excellent leadership and motivational skills. He’s played and worked under highly successful coaches like Jim Tressel, Lovie Smith, Gary Kubiak, and Luke Fickell. The Bears haven’t hired a head coach straight from college since Ralph Jones in 1930.
