The Bears are reportedly making another change to John Fox’s coaching staff.
Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports that the team will part ways with wide receivers coach Curtis Johnson. Johnson will be the fifth member of Fox’s coaching staff to move on after the 2016 season, joining running backs coach Stan Drayton, outside linebackers coach Clint Hurtt, assistant defensive backs coach Sam Garnes and offensive line coach Dave Magazu.
Biggs reports that Johnson is expected to pursue another NFL job. One possibility could be in New Orleans as Johnson coached there before and the Saints saw John Morton leave to become the Jets offensive coordinator.
The next Bears wide receivers coach will be charged with helping develop Kevin White, who has played just four games over his first two seasons due to injury. The team may also move on without Alshon Jeffery, who can become a free agent in March after playing out last season on the franchise tag.
Post by billymurray on Jan 31, 2017 2:02:01 GMT -6
Interesting. I would be lying if I claimed to know much about WR coaches (or anything for that matter). However, he seemed to do a LOT with VERY little also taking into account the revolving door of backups at QB. I think Meredith has developed into something. There were games the WRs couldn't catch a cold but it's not like these guys were proven Wide-outs known for their hands. I doubt he had any influence on not throwing to AJ for seemingly half of each game. I imagine he will catch on somewhere else he has a connection.
I spot trends, and most of the time (I'd love to claim always) I can see trends early. Sorry... there is some sort of issue at HH and i do suspect it is with Fox. i had to find out if Johnson was let go or not. the following article says it was his decision. Too many coaches (good coaches) leaving. Coaches have particular insight into how the team is being run, coached and which way the arrow is pointed. You pair this with previous rumors on Fangio (who they might have promised something to stay) and you can tell something is wrong. if you don't agree, fine. I'm not out to convince anyone. just saying I am convinced.
WRs coach Curtis Johnson becomes 3rd assistant to leave Bears staff
Bears wide receivers coach Curtis Johnson will leave John Fox's staff. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune) Brad BiggsContact ReporterChicago Tribune
John Fox's coordinators remain "intact," as he said at the end of the season, but his staff continues to evolve.
Wide receivers coach Curtis Johnson, hailed as an excellent addition for Kevin White when he was hired at this time last year, has informed the Bears he will not return, a league source told the Tribune. Johnson, 55, is believed to be weighing another option in the NFL. ADVERTISING
Johnson told the Tribune last week at the Senior Bowl that he was in discussions with the Bears, who hoped to retain his services, but apparently decided to move on.
Johnson becomes the third assistant to depart since the Bears' 3-13 season ended. Running backs coach Stan Drayton left for the University of Texas and outside linebackers coach Clint Hurtt declined a new contract to become the defensive line coach of the Seahawks. In this case, Johnson also turned down a new contract. Johnson was free to leave as he signed only a one-year contract last year when he was hired after a stint as the head coach at Tulane. The Bears had hoped all three would remain.
Fox is now seeking his third receivers coach in three years. Factoring in dismissals by the Bears, the only position coaches on offense that will not be new in 2017 are Dave Ragone (quarterbacks) and Frank Smith (tight ends). The team has hired Jeremiah Washburn to replace offensive line coach Dave Magazu and Curtis Modkins to replace Drayton. Roy Anderson also was hired as an assistant secondary coach, replacing Sam Garnes.
The Bears blocked the 49ers from contacting defensive coordinator Vic Fangio about a return to San Francisco. The plan is for Fangio to oversee the outside linebackers while also serving as coordinator, something he has done in previous stops. Defensive quality-control coach Sean Desai will also work with the outside linebackers. It remains to be seen if Desai will be given a larger title. He has been a quality-control assistant for the previous four seasons, a position that typically turns over at a higher rate.
General manager Ryan Pace and Johnson were with the Saints at the same time and it's worth wondering if Johnson will return to New Orleans. The Saints lost their wide receivers coach Sunday when it was reported John Morton was hired as the offensive coordinator of the Jets.
Pace praised the addition of Johnson to develop White last year. While another injury cut White's season short, Johnson did a nice job with former undrafted free agent Cameron Meredith, who had 66 receptions for 888 yards and four touchdowns in his second season. Johnson replaced Mike Groh, who left to become the passing game coordinator for the Rams. Groh is now the receivers coach for the Eagles.
The Bears could also potentially lose assistant special teams coach Richard Hightower. He is believed to be a candidate to become the special teams coordinator for the 49ers if Kyle Shanahan, as expected, is hired as head coach after Super Bowl LI.
(CBS) John Fox has lost another assistant from his coaching staff, with receivers coach Curtis Johnson becoming the third to voluntarily move on this month, a source confirmed.
Johnson’s departure, which was first reported by Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, means the Bears will be returning just three offensive assistants — coordinator Dowell Loggains, quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone and tight ends coach Frank Smith. ADVERTISING
Johnson was hired by the Bears last February to replace receivers coach Mike Groh, who became passing game coordinator for the Rams. He left the Bears voluntarily and will pursue other options in the NFL.
Previously the head coach of Tulane, Johnson brought an intense demeanor to the task of coaching the Bears’ receivers. He was lauded by players, including Kevin White.
The Bears have replaced fired offensive line coach Dave Magazu with Jeremiah Washburn and fired assistant secondary coach Sam Garnes with Roy Anderson. Running backs coach Stan Drayton departed to become assistant head coach at Texas, and was replaced in Chicago by Curtis Modkins, the former 49ers offensive coordinator.
Now, the Bears will have another coach to replace with Johnson moving on.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @cemma670 and like his Facebook page.
I spot trends, and most of the time (I'd love to claim always) I can see trends early. Sorry... there is some sort of issue at HH and i do suspect it is with Fox. i had to find out if Johnson was let go or not. the following article says it was his decision. Too many coaches (good coaches) leaving. Coaches have particular insight into how the team is being run, coached and which way the arrow is pointed. You pair this with previous rumors on Fangio (who they might have promised something to stay) and you can tell something is wrong. if you don't agree, fine. I'm not out to convince anyone. just saying I am convinced.
WRs coach Curtis Johnson becomes 3rd assistant to leave Bears staff
Bears wide receivers coach Curtis Johnson will leave John Fox's staff. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune) Brad BiggsContact ReporterChicago Tribune
John Fox's coordinators remain "intact," as he said at the end of the season, but his staff continues to evolve.
Wide receivers coach Curtis Johnson, hailed as an excellent addition for Kevin White when he was hired at this time last year, has informed the Bears he will not return, a league source told the Tribune. Johnson, 55, is believed to be weighing another option in the NFL. ADVERTISING
Johnson told the Tribune last week at the Senior Bowl that he was in discussions with the Bears, who hoped to retain his services, but apparently decided to move on.
Johnson becomes the third assistant to depart since the Bears' 3-13 season ended. Running backs coach Stan Drayton left for the University of Texas and outside linebackers coach Clint Hurtt declined a new contract to become the defensive line coach of the Seahawks. In this case, Johnson also turned down a new contract. Johnson was free to leave as he signed only a one-year contract last year when he was hired after a stint as the head coach at Tulane. The Bears had hoped all three would remain.
Fox is now seeking his third receivers coach in three years. Factoring in dismissals by the Bears, the only position coaches on offense that will not be new in 2017 are Dave Ragone (quarterbacks) and Frank Smith (tight ends). The team has hired Jeremiah Washburn to replace offensive line coach Dave Magazu and Curtis Modkins to replace Drayton. Roy Anderson also was hired as an assistant secondary coach, replacing Sam Garnes.
The Bears blocked the 49ers from contacting defensive coordinator Vic Fangio about a return to San Francisco. The plan is for Fangio to oversee the outside linebackers while also serving as coordinator, something he has done in previous stops. Defensive quality-control coach Sean Desai will also work with the outside linebackers. It remains to be seen if Desai will be given a larger title. He has been a quality-control assistant for the previous four seasons, a position that typically turns over at a higher rate.
General manager Ryan Pace and Johnson were with the Saints at the same time and it's worth wondering if Johnson will return to New Orleans. The Saints lost their wide receivers coach Sunday when it was reported John Morton was hired as the offensive coordinator of the Jets.
Pace praised the addition of Johnson to develop White last year. While another injury cut White's season short, Johnson did a nice job with former undrafted free agent Cameron Meredith, who had 66 receptions for 888 yards and four touchdowns in his second season. Johnson replaced Mike Groh, who left to become the passing game coordinator for the Rams. Groh is now the receivers coach for the Eagles.
The Bears could also potentially lose assistant special teams coach Richard Hightower. He is believed to be a candidate to become the special teams coordinator for the 49ers if Kyle Shanahan, as expected, is hired as head coach after Super Bowl LI.
bmbiggs@chicagotribune.com
In all fairness... "good coaches'? Magazu was outperformed by an assistant at his job. Drayton left for a promotion. Hurrt hurt...see what I did there...anyways in my eyes we lost 2 good coaches. Who knows what is going on, but I would assume some may think Fox is on the hot seat and want some stability. Carrol isn't going anywhere in Seattle, and Payton isn't going anywhere in NO.
The issue could also be Loggains as most are leaving the O coaching side. Of course, if that is the case, it is still a reflection on Fox's choice to retain him. Especially if he knew people were unhappy. Hard to know where it is, but Fox is involved either way, IMO
Reading up on Johnson...because I literally never paid attention to the receivers coach, he was with NO for 5 years from 06 to 11, and then left to be the head coach at Tulane. He was their for 4 years. Last year was his first year here in Chicago. Seems to have a lot of ties down in Louisiana.
Reading up on Johnson...because I literally never paid attention to the receivers coach, he was with NO for 5 years from 06 to 11, and then left to be the head coach at Tulane. He was their for 4 years. Last year was his first year here in Chicago. Seems to have a lot of ties down in Louisiana.
yeah. I read a lot of his ties there. No doubt he prefers that part of the country. Still...... If you are truly happy and feel the team is going somewhere.... that mitigates all that. After all. He did leave the area to come here. Once here, it takes inertia to get you back. Either he just did not like Chicago (for any number of reasons) or the call back to his home turf was just too strong. We'll never know.
I do know that when you have real camaraderie and feel like you are part of building something special, that goes a long way towards making you want to stay and finish that job. More people are leaving than I thought. Maybe that component is not as strong as we all hoped that the insiders would feel.