Bears Hiring Chuck Pagano As Defensive Coordinator

The Chicago Bears announced Friday that they’ve hired former Colts HC Chuck Pagano as their new defensive coordinator.

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— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) January 12, 2019

Pagano interviewed for the Bears job earlier in the day.

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune previously reported that the Bears are placing an emphasis on hiring a defensive coordinator with a 3-4 background to take over for Vic Fangio.

The Bears also interviewed secondary coach Ed Donatell for the coordinator job.

It’s worth mentioning that Pagano interviewed with the Panthers for a job on Thursday.

According to Biggs, the Bears are placing an emphasis on finding a replacement for Vic Fangio with a 3-4 background to take over the unit.

This comes a day after the Bears interviewed secondary coach Ed Donatell for the coordinator job.

Pagano, 58, spent a few years as the Ravens’ secondary coach before he was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2011. The Colts later hired him as their head coach a year later and he spent six years in Indianapolis before he was fired last year.

Pagano interviewed for the Bronco and Packers head coach jobs, but both teams elected to go in a different direction.

During his six years in Indianapolis, Pagano led the team to a record of 53-43 (55.2 percent) and three playoff appearances including an AFC Championship game appearance in 2014.

We have hired Chuck Pagano as our defensive coordinator.

Welcome to Chicago, Coach!#DaBears pic.twitter.com/WnkuXLkf3I

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) January 12, 2019