Bears hire John Fox as head coach

Less than 50 weeks after coaching the Broncos in the Super Bowl, John Fox is the next coach of the Bears.

The Bears will introduce Fox, the 15th coach in franchise history, on Monday at 11 a.m. A source confirmed that Fox’s contract is four years.

Fox, the former Broncos and Panthers head coach, replaces Marc Trestman, who was fired Dec. 29 after two seasons. Trestman also was hired exactly two years ago on Friday.

Fox and the Broncos unexpectedly parted ways Monday, despite him posting a 46-18 record and four AFC West titles in four seasons. The Broncos lost in the Super Bowl, 43-8, on Feb. 2, but lost in the divisional round Sunday to the Colts. Broncos vice president/GM John Elway said he and Fox disagreed about how to improve the team in their Monday meeting.

Fox went 73-71 as the Panthers head coach from 2002-10, leading the team to Super Bowl XXXVIII.

The 59-year-old Fox, who interviewed at Halas Hall on Wednesday, gives the Bears a counterbalance against 37-year-old GM Ryan Pace, the youngest in the league.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s an offensive or defensive coach, if it’s 3-4 or 4-3 (scheme),” Pace said Friday. “I’m looking for the best head coach that has the traits we’re looking for, That’s confidence, charisma, discipline, leadership, those types of things. The best man for the job. So whether it’s a defensive coach, whether it’s 3-4 coach, a 4-3 coach, offense, it’s just the best man for the job.”

The Bears’ brain trust was familiar with Fox — advisor Ernie Accorsi worked with him while Fox was the defensive coordinator for the Giants. Fox is close with Sean Payton, Pace’s former coworker who the new GM held up as the gold standard Friday.

Fox should be able to assemble a staff quickly, though he’ll likely have to fight Jack Del Rio, his former defensive coordinator named the Raiders coach Wednesday, for some former Bronco employees.

A source said that Fox could turn to Kyle Shanahan, who spent last season with the Browns, at offensive coordinator. Dennis Allen, the onetime Raiders head coach, is believed to be a candidate for defensive coordinator.

Further reading from the Sun-Times on the new Bears head coach:

Eight things to know about John Fox

The case for and against John Fox as the next Bears coach

John Fox is perfect for the Bears, but are they a fit for him?

Maybe Bears could do better than John Fox, but they could do a lot worse

Here’s why John Fox shouldn’t be hired

Contributing: Patrick Finley