Long-time NFL coach and current defensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears, Chuck Pagano, has decided to retire.
The 61-year-old coach has been coaching in the league since taking a job with the Cleveland Browns as a secondary coach in 2001.
Pagano was best known for his time as the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts between 2012-2017. In his first season with the team, Pagano was diagnosed with leukemia and went through a very public battle with the disease before emerging healthy.
Pagano had a 53-43 record as the head coach of the Colts.
The popular defensive coach spent the last two seasons as the defensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears. In his first year in Chicago, the Bears finished the season with the eighth-best defense in yards allowed per game and fourth-best in points allowed per game.
However, those numbers took a slight dip this season, with Chicago’s defense finishing 11th in yards allowed and 14th in points allowed.
The Bears are not sure who will be replacing Pagano, but since both general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy are staying put, there’s a good chance that there might be an internal promotion made to fill the vacancy.
Many believe that current defensive line coach Jay Rodgers could get the job if the Bears decide against bringing in someone from outside the organization.
