Chicago Bears Consider Iowa State’s Matt Campbell for Head Coach Position

The Chicago Bears are exploring collegiate coaching talent as they seek their 19th head coach in franchise history, with Iowa State‘s Matt Campbell emerging as a top candidate. According to multiple sources, the Bears are expected to meet with Campbell, who has been the Cyclones’ head coach since 2016. The 45-year-old coach recently signed an eight-year contract extension with Iowa State, running through the 2032 season.

Campbell, who previously coached at Toledo, has led Iowa State to notable success, including a Big 12 title game appearance this season. With a 64-51 record, he is the winningest coach in Cyclones history. His name has frequently surfaced in discussions for both college and NFL coaching vacancies, including a rumored push by the Detroit Lions in 2021.

Bears General Manager Ryan Poles emphasized the team’s commitment to a thorough and diverse search. “It’s going to be a diverse group,” Poles said on Tuesday. “This will be different backgrounds from offense, defense, special teams, college, pro. We’re turning every stone to make sure we’re doing this the right way.” Poles also hinted at unexpected candidates, stating, “There’s going to be some names that you don’t expect that are going to surprise you because we’re digging deeper than we ever have before.”

The Bears plan to announce candidate names after interviews are completed, contingent on the candidates’ approval. However, due to the competitive nature of college recruiting, the team may withhold the names of college coaches like Campbell until the process is further along. The first round of interviews is reportedly being conducted virtually.

Campbell’s potential move to the NFL would mark a significant shift for the Bears, who are looking to rebuild after a challenging season. His track record of developing programs and his recent success at Iowa State make him a compelling candidate for the role.