DEFENSIVE ASSISTANTS
Jay Rodgers
Defensive line coach Age: 40
Resume: Bears DL coach, 2015-present; Broncos DL coach, 2012-14; Broncos defensive quality control coach, 2011; Broncos coaches assistant, 2009-10; Iowa State WRs coach, 2007-08; Stephen F. Austin QBs coach, 2005-06; Missouri State QBs coach, 2004; Dodge City (Kan.) Community College QBs coach, 2003; LSU defensive assistant, 2002; LSU offensive assistant, 2001.
Why he’s back
Two months into the best season of his career, Akiem Hicks knew whom to give credit to.
“I’ve taken leaps with the coaching staff — I’m talking about my guy first, with Jay Rodgers,” said Hicks, who had been unable to unlock his star potential in stints with the Saints and Patriots. “The leaps and bounds that I’ve been able to take having him as somebody that’s like giving me advice and putting me in the right position.”
The Bears agreed. Keeping Rodgers, who also helped develop nose tackle Eddie Goldman, was a coup.
“Coach Jay Rodgers is the man” fifth-round pick Bilal Nichols said. “The coaching that he’s given me, every day I got better and better.”
Glenn Pires
Inside linebackers coach Age: 59
Resume: Bears ILB coach, 2015-present; Falcons LB coach, 2008-14; Dolphins LB coach, 2003-07; Lions assistant LBs coach, 2001-02; Cardinals assistant LB coach, 1996-2000; Michigan State OLB coach, 1995; Syracuse OLB coach, 1991-94; Syracuse DL coach, 1989-90; Dartmouth DL/OLB coach, 1985-88.
Why he’s back
With 22 years of NFL coaching experience, Pires knows about calling upon recent examples to motivate his players; about how Dolphins’ linebacker Zach Thomas and Hall of Fame edge rusher Jason Taylor never stopped playing with a chip on their shoulders.
Pires, though, hesitates to compare his current crop of inside linebackers — Super Bowl champ Danny Trevathan and first-round pick Roquan Smith — to players he has had in the past.
“I don’t like to talk about that in the past,” he said. “I’m just more concerned with what’s going on now.”
He coached alongside Georgia boss Kirby Smart, Smith’s college coach, on the Dolphins. The first-round pick should fit in fine.
“He’s a confident guy, knowledgeable,” he said. “And there’s carryover. Meaning what we do is there is carryover to what he has been exposed to. I know what they run with that defense.”
Brandon Staley
Outside linebackers coach Age: 35
Resume: Bears OLB coach, 2017-present; John Carroll (Div. III) defensive coordinator, 2015-16; James Madison (Div I-AA) defensive coordinator, 2014; John Carroll (Div. III) defensive coordinator, 2013; Tennessee graduate assistant, 2012; Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College defensive coordinator, 2010-11; St. Thomas (NAIA) LB/special teams coach, 2009; Northern Illinois graduate assistant, 2006-08.
Why he’s back
Staley took a risk last year in joining a coaching staff that was in danger of being broken up at the end of the season. The former college coach, though, wound up sticking around, along with the rest of the defensive coaches.
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio specializes in outside linebackers, so Staley isn’t alone in trying to develop former first-round pick Leonard Floyd into his Pro Bowl potential. He’ll also be tasked with seeing if sixth-round pick Kylie Fitts can crack the rotation.
“Coach Staley has been really good with me,” Fitts said. “We’ve been working a lot together, watching a lot of film and then on the field, he’s just been working really good with me, teaching me a lot of technique on how to drop and different things like that. And also helping improve my pass rush. He’s been working all three phases of the game.”
Ed Donatell
Defensive backs coach Age: 61
Resume: Bears DBs coach, 2015-present; 49ers DBs coach, 2011-14; Broncos DBs coach, 2010; Washington defensive coordinator, 2008; Jets special assistant, 2007; Falcons defensive coordinator, 2004-06; Packers defensive coordinator, 2000-03; Broncos DBs coach, 1995-1999; Jets DBs coach, 1990-94; Fullerton DBs coach, 1989; Idaho DBs coach, 1986-88; Pacific DBs coach, 1983-85; Washington graduate assistant, 1981-82; Kent State graduate assistant, 1979-80.
Why he’s back
The Bears’ defensive backs room looks a whole lot better than it did a year ago — and not a single player has been added. Donatell coached Kyle Fuller and Prince Amukamara to the best seasons of their careers, helped Eddie Jackson shine as a rookie, and developed Adrian Amos from a backup to, per Pro Football Focus, one of the best safeties in the league.
That continuity — the Bears re-signed Fuller, Amukamara and Bryce Callahan, and didn’t draft anyone who plays their position — should be on display in 2018.
“It’s easier to start one side of the ball [from scratch] than everything,” Donatell said. “It just helps. There’s times when we can look to help our offense a little bit, because they’re in a new stage of developing. The continuity of players coming back, and coaches coming back, that’s definitely a plus.”