Chicago Bears: Ryan Pace Needs a Coach Like Him
By Erik Lambert
Why hasn’t the Ryan Pace and John Fox relationship worked? It seemed like such a promising partnership for the Chicago Bears back in 2015.
It seemed so obvious. A veteran, proven head coach and young, promising GM. A perfect blend right? Not so much. Just 13 wins through three seasons is a surefire sign that the Bears miscalculated on getting those two together. So what went wrong? There are many reasons that people could come up with. However, one that sticks out above all else is a simple differing of philosophies. The two men are nothing alike.
Fox is a players coach. His style is all about motivation, effort, toughness and team unity. If you play together and play hard enough, you’ll outlast the opponent. Pace by contrast has operated like a man with a plan. He’s detailed, methodical and always looking ahead. Fox is all about winning now. He doesn’t like playing rookies over veterans if he can help it.
They just don’t share much in common. Fox was the son of a military man from Virginia. Pace came from one of the richer parts of Texas. One is in his 60s. The other just turned 40. One could go on and on but the point is made.
Pace must find a guy who thinks like him
The trick for Pace in the month to come is finding a head coach that is just like him. Not so much in personality but in terms of philosophy, of thinking. Somebody who is detailed, thinks ahead and prioritizes the same things. In this way the two will be on the same page from the start and miscommunications will be at a minimum. The chances of differing opinions and possible standoffs will be minimized.
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Who could that guy end up being? Only Pace can find out for sure. Anything now would be pure speculation. Still one could argue that age will play a prime factor in the hire. It’s going to be fascinating to see how the final list shakes out come January.