The wide net the Chicago Bears are casting in search of the 19th coach in team history includes at least one college coach.
The team is expected to meet with Iowa State’s Matt Campbell, according to multiple sources.
Campbell, 45, has been the Cyclones coach since 2016, and his name has popped up previously for jobs not only at more traditional college powers, but also in the NFL. The Detroit Lions were rumored to be pushing to hire him in 2021.
Campbell, who was the coach at Toledo before taking the Iowa State job, guided the Cyclones to the Big 12 title game this season and the first 10-win season in program history. He was rewarded in December with an eight-year contract extension that runs through the 2032 season.
He is the third-longest-tenured coach in program history and has the most wins at Iowa State with a 64-51 record.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles made it clear the team’s search will take it in many directions. It’s believed the Bears began virtual interviews Wednesday.
“It’s going to be a diverse group,” Poles said 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.
“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.”
Poles said the Bears will announce the names of candidates after interviews are completed, with permission of the candidate. Given the sensitive and competitive nature of college recruiting, it’s possible the Bears wouldn’t release Campbell’s name or any other college coaches they might interview — but the Iowa State coach is a candidate for the job.
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