THE Chicago Bear are searching for their next head coach, where general manager Ryan Poles will lead the charge in an extensive search that will include emerging coordinators, former head coaches and even a current head coach.
As the coaching carousel begins to make its way around the league, many names are linked to the Bears, including Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who is a longtime assistant coach and could be ready to lead a professional team of his. Monken has been outstanding with the Ravens over the past two years, helping elevate the offense and the career of quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Monken is expected to speak with the Bears later in the week, but here’s an in-depth look at the 58-year-old and what he could bring to the Bears.
Background
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Current employment: Offensive coordinator, Baltimore Ravens (2023–present)
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Age: 58
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Hometown: Wheaton, IL
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College: Knox College
Experience
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Offensive coordinator, Baltimore Ravens (2023–present)
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Offensive Coordinator, University of Georgia (2020-2022)
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Offensive coordinator, Cleveland Browns (2019)
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Offensive coordinator, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2018)
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Offensive Coordinator and Receivers Coach, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2016-2017)
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Head coach, Miss du Sud (2013-2015)
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Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Oklahoma State (2011-2012)
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Wide receivers coach, Jacksonville Jaguars (2007-2010)
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Passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach, LSU (2005-2006)
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Passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach, Oklahoma State (2002-2004)
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Wide receivers coach, Louisiana Tech (2001)
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Running backs and wide receivers coach, Louisiana Tech (2000)
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Offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach, Eastern Michigan (1998-1999)
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Defensive backs and wide receivers coach, Eastern Michigan (1993-1997)
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Graduate assistant, Notre Dame (1991-1992)
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Graduate assistant, Grand Valley State (1989-1990)
Fit with the Bears
The Bears continue to prioritize offensive-minded candidates for their next head coach, and Monken arguably has more experience on that side of the ball than anyone else they’re interviewing. Monken spent more than 30 years coaching position groups and serving in coordinator roles at the college and professional levels, from Eastern Michigan in the 1990s to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2000s to Southern Miss in the 2010s and now the Baltimore Ravens in the 2020s. He’s seen it all from a football perspective and he’s had success multiple times.
It’s that kind of experience that would make him invaluable to the Bears. Monken got the most out of Stetson Bennett at Georgia, helping them win two national titles, and was able to elevate Jackson’s career as a passer like no one could before. Imagine what he could do with Caleb Williams and the Bears offense. He would also force the defense to play hard.
Although he has coached on the offensive side for much of his career, Monken’s time at Southern Miss should serve as encouragement for what he can do with an entire team. He took a team that had finished the previous season 0-12 and, over three years, took them to a 9-5 season and first in their division in Conference USA. He’s an astute offensive coach who brings enough intensity to be a factor in all phases.
They said it…
“Man, there’s nothing like reality, is there? Seeing Todd in real life is even better than the reports, I’d say. He’s a really good teacher. He does it d ‘a very energetic way, the way we like to see it.’ “
–Ravens head coach John Harbaugh on Todd Monken in 2023 (via Fil Corbeaux)
Conclusion
The more the Ravens offense continues to steamroll opponents, the more Monken’s name comes up in head coaching conversations. There are some questions about how well he could be a head coach at the NFL level, as some of his interviews this past cycle reportedly didn’t go very well. Still, it’s a good idea to see if he’s the right man to right the ship in Chicago. Monken could be the perfect combination of an offensive guru capable of galvanizing the locker room. Some have compared him to Bruce Arians in this regard, and that’s fair.
Arians spent years as a coordinator and had success with Hall of Fame quarterbacks like Peyton Manning and Ben Roethlisberger. When he was hired by the Arizona Cardinals, he turned things around by resurrecting Carson Palmer’s career and nearly got them back to the Super Bowl in 2015. In Tampa, he won a title with Tom Brady in 2020 .
The Bears could have had Arians a decade ago, but chose Marc Trestman instead. This could be their chance to right that wrong and find a hard-nosed coach who can get the best out of Williams. If Ben Johnson isn’t hired for whatever reason, Monken would be a solid consolation prize.
This article was originally published on Bears Wire: Bears HC Candidate Profile: Is Todd Monken the Next Bruce Arians?
