Jeff Hughes | January 9th, 2018

The Chicago Bears formally introduced new head coach Matt Nagy today. Here are some thoughts on the press conference.

News: Nagy and Pace have not reached an agreement with a defensive coordinator or any other members of the staff. That will come in the next few days.

What occurred to me was the Bears now have a first-year head coach, second-year quarterback and 40 year-old GM responsible for putting it all together. I can’t remember another time where the three most crucial roles in this organization were operating as one. Were they ever? This is an exciting time to be a Bears fan. Sure, it might not work out. But it also might. And working out means competing for division titles every season.

“This is about more than the quarterback” was one of the first phrases out of Ryan Pace’s mouth and his only “football” comment made in the introductory remarks.

The Bears interviewed six candidates. One of them got four and a half hours and a dinner. The other five decidedly did not. Nagy was the target.

Nagy is a confident speaker. It is always interesting to see how these young coaches hold up in front of the media for the first time and Nagy seemed like a natural. This bodes well for a man who’ll have to address 53 giant lunatics every week.

Someone named “Larry Wisdom” got mentioned. I need to know more about him.

Nagy got choked up addressing his wife and four sons, especially on the “this is why we do it” line. A truly human moment. But it was wild how quickly he transitioned into questions. All business.

Bears offered to delay Nagy’s interview, paying respect to the Saturday loss. He moved it up.

Frankly, I expected a bore. I expected a Frazier or Childress or one of those Reid drones we’ve seen a million times. This guy is fiery. He’s funny. This personality will play in Chicago. This is the first coach personality I’ve liked in town since Mike Ditka. (That really isn’t saying much if you look at what followed. Dick Jauron wasn’t exactly Alan King.)

Nagy FINALLY calls out the nonsense of 4-3/3-4, pointing out that 60% of the game is played in sub-defense. Why this “scheme” question never stops is beyond me.

Nagy spent six hours with Mitch pre-draft and lit up when talking about him. That relationship is the key to the future of the Bears and Nagy is transparently excited about the prospect.

“I love him to death but whoo!” -Nagy’s response to being called the best coaching candidate Andy Reid’s ever had.

Nagy took responsibility for every single play-call in the second half against the Titans. Am I buying that? No. But he’s taking a hit for his friend and mentor and that’s respectable.

Nagy will be aggressive. But he’ll be calculated. Nagy in both personality and football spirit is the anti-Fox.

Great opening press conference. Now…go win some games, Matt.