NEWSLETTER
It appears as if the Chicago Bears found someone with a wide variety of experiences to replace one of football’s best position coaches.
According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Caplan, the Bears are expected to hire Curtis Modkins as the team’s new running backs coach. Modkins was the San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator in Chip Kelly’s one year with the team – though, it’s worth noting that Kelly was the one calling the plays. San Francisco ranked 31st in total yards and 27th in points, but fifth in rushing offense.
Pro Bowl running back Jordan Howard finished second in rushing yards and fourth in yards per carry, but the team ranked 17th in rushing offense – despite ranking sixth in yards per carry. Perhaps the running backs coach with experience as an offensive coordinator can suggest offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains use his most prolific offensive asset more often in 2017.
As a running backs coach, Modkins has an interesting background in coaching that could (in theory, mind you) provide a unique perspective moving forward.
Prior to his stint in San Francisco, Modkins picked up NFL coaching experience along the way with the Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals and Detroit Lions as a running backs coach and also for the Buffalo Bills as an offensive coordinator. Modkins also served in various roles as a college coach with jobs at TCU (secondary, tight ends), New Mexico (cornerbacks) and Georgia Tech (running backs, defensive backs).
It is also of note that Modkins and new offensive line coach Jeremiah Washburn both worked for the Lions in 2013.
Modkins replaces Stan Drayton, who left early in the offseason to join Tom Herman’s staff at the University of Texas in the same position.
