Bears name key front-office posts

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Ryan Pace’s remodeled front office took on his distinct personality Friday, when the Bears GM announced the hiring of two respected names from AFC teams.

Former Ravens scout Joe Douglas was named the Bears’ director of college scouting Friday. He will work alongside Anthony “Champ” Kelly, who had agreed Thursday to become the Bears’ pro personnel director after working as the Broncos’ assistant pro personnel director for the past five seasons.

The two are the most significant Pace hires since he added his deputy, player personnel director Josh Lucas, in January.

Douglas, 38, spent the last 15 seasons with the Ravens and the last three as the national scout. He scouted the Southeast (2009-11), East Coast (2008) and Northeast (2003-07), helping the Ravens to acquire, among others, quarterback Joe Flacco and Bears free-agent linebacker Pernell McPhee.

Kelly, 35, joined the Broncos in 2007 as a northeast regional scout after serving as the GM and wideouts coach for the Lexington Horsemen of United Indoor Football. The former Kentucky wide receiver and cornerback worked alongside new Bears coach John Fox, offensive coordinator Adam Gase and others in Denver.

Pace parted ways with pro personnel director Kevin Turks in January and let college scouting director Marty Barrett’s contract expire earlier this month. He said he would examine the rest of the staff after the draft.

Friday, he also named Christopher Prescott as an area scout. Prescott scouted the Mid-Atlantic and South for the Jets the past two seasons after spending 11 years in Jacksonville.

A source said, too, that Bears trainer Chris Hanks will not return to the team.

Adam L. Jahns contributed.

Email: pfinley@suntimes.com

Twitter: @patrickfinley

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