As Ben Johnson continues to build out his first Chicago Bears coaching staff, one particular position group’s coach stays on my mind — the offensive line. And on Friday night, a pair of reporters shared one name that is apparently coming up in consideration.
Some buzz from Tribune Bears reporter Brad Biggs and NIU reporter Skyler Kisellus:
One key hire on Ben Johnson’s Bears staff will be an offensive line coach. And while I do not believe a position coach hire could make or break the offseason, getting it right here feels like it would be an important first step toward emerging from among the bottom feeders in the offensive line rankings.
Who is Dan Roushar and is he a good fit for the Bears?
Caleb Williams was sacked a league-leading 68 times for a league-high 466 yards lost due to sacks. To give those numbers additional perspective, Chicago’s QB1 was sacked on 10.79 percent of his drop-backs. What a gross set of stats. Hence, I am particularly interested in who the Bears hire to coach the offensive line.
With that in mind, let’s take a brief look at some of the most recent stops on Dan Roushar’s journey as a football coach:
- TULANE UNIVERSITY: Offensive line coach (2023-present)
- NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: Run game coordinator and tight ends coach (2021-22), Offensive line coach (2016-2020), Tight ends coach (2015), Running backs coach (2013-14)
- MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY: Offensive coordinator and tight ends coach (2011-12), Offensive line coach (2007-10)
THE BEARS ARE REPORTEDLY “ALL-IN” ON FIXING THE OFFENSIVE LINE
I find it interesting that Roushar has held multiple roles at several stops along the way. To me, it suggests that his bosses value his coaching style and don’t mind moving him around. With that being said, his history coaching of offensive linemen is lengthy. In addition to the work bulleted above, Dan Roushar has coached offensive linemen at Cincinnati (2005-06, OL Coach), Northern Illinois University (1997, OL Coach), and Illinois (1996, OTs Coach), Rhode Island (1993, OL Coach), and Butler (1989-92, OC and OL Coach). Tapping into that wealth of knowledge could lift the Bears’ offensive line off the mat.
Of course, the Bears need some worthwhile players that the offensive line coach (whoever it turns out to be) can work with whenever they arrive to Halas Hall. And with Chicago’s football team having openings at center as well as both guard spots, I feel as if it of the utmost importance that the Bears hire an offensive line coach with quality teaching skills. I imagine there will be other names that pop up in connection with this job. But the early returns on Dan Roushar are particularly interesting. Stay tuned.