The Chicago Bears have filled all three of their offensive and defensive coordinator positions on head coach Ben Johnson‘s staff. They hired polar opposites for their final two spots.
Veteran Dennis Allen is in at DC while first-timer Declan Doyle joins at OC.
Ben Johnson Fills Coordinator Roles on 2025 Bears Coaching Staff
Bears Hire Dennis Allen as Defensive Coordinator
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on January 26 that speculative favorite and former New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen is joining the Bears as the defensive coordinator, adding noteworthy experience for the first-year head coach, Johnson.
Allen had been with the Saints since 2015, first as DC before taking over as HC in 2022.
The Saints fired Allen nine games into the 2024 season. But his defenses ranked in the top 10 for four straight seasons – and the top half of the league for seven – before this past campaign.
Allen worked for former Bears head coach John Fox as DC for the Denver Broncos in 2011. He has also spent time with the Atlanta Falcons and Oakland Raiders during a coaching career that began in 1996.
“He should be a good sounding board for Ben Johnson,” The Monday Morning Quarterback’s Albert Breer posted on X in reaction to the news of Allen’s hiring. “Also had Aaron Glenn on his defensive staff in New Orleans—giving Johnson some scheme-familiarity.
The Bears were hardly done, with the other announcement soon to follow.
Declan Doyle Hired as Offensive Coordinator
The Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs first reported that the Bears were hiring Declan Doyle as OC on January 26, just minutes after Allen’s hire was.
“Most recently tight ends coach in Denver, Doyle has been a valued assistant for Sean Payton,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero posted on X about the 28-year-old coach’s hire on January 26. “Now he heads to Chicago as Ben Johnson’s OC.
Rapoport called Doyle a “key hire” and “rising offensive mind.”
Doyle spent two seasons with the Broncos. He joined the Broncos with previous ties to Payton – a former Lockout Bear – from their shared time with the New Orleans Saints.
One key note about the role that Doyle is filling: he will not be calling plays. It may remain a mystery if Doyle was the Bears’ first choice. Biggs first identified him as a potential candidate to fill the role on January 24.
Richard Hightower Survives Coordinator Search
Johnson and the Bears are retaining special teams coordinator Richard Hightower who, along with several other assistants, survived the overhaul at Halas Hall. Hightower will enter his fourth season with the franchise.
The Bears ranked 15th in return yards against per kickoff and 21st in yards against per punt.
Still, Hightower is a highly respected coach. He was a potential candidate for other openings had he not remained with the Bears.
Joining Hightower are assistant ST coach Carlos Polk, tight ends coach Jim Dray, defensive line coach Travis Smith, and a host of others. Safeties coach Andre Curtis is still on the staff. However, he is also free to explore opportunities and has been linked to the Dallas Cowboys.
Dallas is considering former Bears head coach Matt Eberflus as its DC. He could poach Curtis.
“The Cowboys interview with Andre Curtis for defensive coordinator satisfies the Rooney Rule,” Cowboys reporter Clarence Hill Jr. reported on X on January 26. “All signs continue to point to Matt Eberflus as DC. Look for Curtis to be on staff as defensive backs coach. Curtis was on Eberflus’ staff in Chicago and worked with Brian Schottenheimer in Seattle.”
The Bears hired Al Harris to be their secondary coach, so there could be more current holdovers that move on before the hiring cycle ends.