Thomas Brown Archives - Sports Al Dente

The Chicago Bears interviewed Thomas Brown for their coaching position

The Chicago Bears interviewed Thomas Brown for their head coaching position on Monday after he served as the team’s interim head coach at the end of the season.

Brown was hired as the passing game coordinator for Chicago last February. He was promoted to offensive coordinator after Shane Waldron was fired on November 12. Then, after Matt Eberflus was dismissed on November 29, Brown took over as interim head coach.

Under Brown, Chicago lost four of its final five games. The team ended with a 5-12 record, but they did end the season on a high note with a 24-22 win over Green Bay on January 5, breaking a 10-game losing streak.

The development of quarterback Caleb Williams is a major focus for the Bears following their fourth consecutive losing season. Williams, the No. 1 overall pick from last year’s draft, completed 64.9% of his passes for 929 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception after Brown took over.

The Bears are casting a wide net in their search for a new head coach. On Sunday, they interviewed former Carolina Panthers and Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera.

Chicago Bears players celebrate in the 2nd half

Chicago also interviewed Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn on Saturday. They have spoken with former Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, and former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel. Vrabel was hired by New England on Sunday.

The Bears have only made three playoff appearances since their NFC Championship appearance in 2006, and their only Super Bowl title came during the 1985 season.

Chicago believed they had a strong chance to make the playoffs this season after a busy offseason, which included adding Williams. They also acquired six-time Pro Bowl receiver Keenan Allen from the Los Angeles Chargers. However, instead of making a playoff run, they went into a downward spiral after starting 4-2.

Chicago Bears to Interview Interim Coach Thomas Brown for Head Coach Role

Thomas Brown will have a chance to remove the “interim” from his title when he interviews for the Chicago Bears’ head coach job after the season.

On ESPN 1000’s Bears pregame show, general manager Ryan Poles mentioned that Brown will have a formal interview after serving as the Bears’ interim head coach for five games. Brown took over for Matt Eberflus, who was fired on November 29.

“He will get an interview, and I’m excited to hear his thoughts,” Poles said. “Because he’s been here. He’s been here, he’s seen and reflected just like we have on the past and how we got to this and why were the results, the results. So I’m excited to hear from his side on how we got here and how he would fix it.”

The Bears lost four consecutive games with Brown as interim head coach before winning the final game of the season 24-22 against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

Brown, who started the season as the passing game coordinator, was promoted to offensive coordinator after Shane Waldron was fired before Week 11. Three weeks later, Brown was made the interim head coach.

Thomas Brown speaks at a news conference

“I’ve been so impressed with Thomas and his leadership,” Poles said. “I know the results haven’t come. That was a very difficult situation he’s been put in. I grew up in this business where you earn more, and that’s exactly how we got here with Thomas. I feel like he’s done a really good job.

“You could see the leadership traits, and then he got moved to the offense coordinator position and did well. We saw improvements on offense and then at the head coaching level, got the opportunity to do that and lead the entire team.

And just sitting in team meetings, meeting with him after games — he’s a truth teller. He’s someone that does challenge our players to get better, creates accountability. So there’s a lot of really positive traits that Thomas has, and I’ve been proud of how he’s stepped up and led this team down the stretch here.

And again, it’s not the results that we wanted in terms of wins and losses, but the traits of a leader. He absolutely has those.”

The Bears were one of three teams, along with the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints, to make a midseason change at head coach.

Chicago is expected to begin its interview process this week.