Bears expected to retain Richard Hightower as special teams coordinator

With Ben Johnson officially being introduced as the Chicago Bears' new head coach, the focus shifts to building his coaching staff.

There's been plenty of reports and rumors about potenital assistants who could join Johnson's staff, including Dennis Allen (as defensive coordinator) and Darren Rizzi (as special teams coordinator). But a latest report indicates Chicago could be retaining one key coordinator.

According to Denver Broncos reporter Mike Klis, the Bears aren't expected to land Rizzi as their special teams coordinator. Chicago is one of several teams, including Denver, interested in the former New Orleans Saints interim head coach. Instead, Chicago is expected to retain Richard Hightower, who's served as the team's special teams coordinator for the past three years, in his role.

Johnson preached the importance of surrounding himself with experienced coaches that he can lean on, and he's going to use his own experience to help mold a staff he can trust. Perhaps he values Hightower's experience to consider bringing him back on his own staff.

"That's going to be a critical part of our success," Johnson said of his coaching staff. "I really believe that we're going to be able to find some great candidates out there that, that want to come to Chicago for a number of reasons. They will be able to help guide and show me the way."

Earlier reports indicated the Bears would not be retaining a good number of assistant coaches from Matt Eberflus' staff, including interim head coach Thomas Brown, defensive coordinator Eric Washington, interim offensive coordinator/wide receivers Chris Beatty and quarterbacks coach Kerry Joseph.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears expected to keep Richard Hightower as special teams coordinator