Bears expected to interview Iowa State's Matt Campbell for head coach

The Chicago Bears are conducting their search for a new head coach, where they're exhausting every avenue in the early stages, where they're requested interviews with everyone from ascending NFL coordinators to former head coaches to college head coaches.

According to the Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs, the Bears have requested to interview Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell for their head coach job. General manager Ryan Poles said to expect some unexpected names in their search for a new head coach, and Campbell definitely fits the bill.

Campbell, 45, has served as the Iowa State head coach since 2016, where he's posted a 64-51 record, where he has the most wins in school history. This season, Campbell's Cyclones reached the Big 12 title game and recorded their first 10-season in program history. In December, Iowa State signed Campbell to an eight-year contract extension.

Before Iowa State, Campbell served as the head coach at Toledo from 2012-15, and he previously served as offensive coordinator from 2010-11. This isn't the first time Campbell's name has come up in an NFL coaching cycle, as Biggs said there were rumors the Detroit Lions were considering hiring him in 2021.

The Bears have requested interviews with 16 candidates, which includes assistant coaches, a current head coach, college coaches and former head coaches: Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, Petzing, New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Mike Flores, Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, former Stanford head coach David Shaw, Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and Campbell. General manager Ryan Poles also confirmed Bears interim head coach Thomas Brown will get a formal interview for the permanent role.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears expected to interview Iowa State's Matt Campbell for head coach