Bears HC candidate profile: Should Kliff Kingsbury be a contender?

The Chicago Bears are searching for their next head coach, where general manager Ryan Poles will lead the charge in a wide-ranging search that now includes 20 candidates featuring up-and-coming coordinators, former head coaches and college coaches.

As the coaching carousel continues its spin around the league, there have been many names being connected to the Bears, including Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who coached Caleb Williams at USC and now has Jayden Daniels and the Commanders in the divisional playoffs.

With Chicago requesting to interview Kingsbury, here's an in-depth look at Kingsbury and what he could potentially bring to the Bears as their next head coach.

Background

• Current Job: Offensive coordinator, Washington Commanders (2024-present)

• Age: 45

• Hometown: San Antonio, Texas

• College: Texas Tech

Experience

• Offensive coordinator, Washington Commanders (2024–present)

• Senior offensive analyst, USC (2023)

• Head coach, Arizona Cardinals (2019–2022)

• Head coach, Texas Tech (2013–2018)

• Offensive coordinator & quarterbacks coach, Texas A&M (2012)

• Co-offensive coordinator & quarterbacks coach, Houston (2011)

• Quarterbacks coach, Houston (2010)

• Offensive quality control coach, Houston (2008–2009)

Fit with Bears

Kingsbury's fit with the Bears is obvious given his history with quarterback Caleb Williams, who he coached at USC in 2023. Kingsbury knows what Williams does well, where he needs to improve and has that established relationship with him that would go a long way. It's why Chicago interviewed Kingsbury for their vacant offensive coordinator job last offseason, which ultimately went to Shane Waldron.

The Bears have interviewed quite a few former head coaches, be it at the NFL or collegiate level, and Kingsbury boasts experience in both. He served as Texas Tech's head coach from 2013-18, where he ended with a 35-40 record and three straight losing seasons that led to his firing. After agreeing to become USC's offensive coordinator, he got an opportunity to serve as the head coach the Arizona Cardinals, where he finished with a 28-37-1 record and one playoff appearance. Kingsbury signed a six-year contract extension in 2022, but he was fired after the Cardinals went 4-13.

But it's Kingsbury's work with quarterbacks overall that makes this an intriguing option. Kingsbury's coaching experience comes primarily at the collegiate level, where he most notably coached Patrick Mahomes at Texas A&M. Kingsbury started as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach (2012) before being promoted to head coach (2013-18). Kingsbury served as Cardinals head coach for four years, where he worked with Kyler Murray (2019-22). Then you look at how fellow rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has thrived under Kingsbury in Washington, where he's on track to win Offensive Rookie of the Year and has the Commanders in the divisional playoffs.

They said it...

"So many times talking about it, asking questions so he could give me great feedback on this next level that I knew that I was probably heading to at that time. That was big for me being able to listen to him and obviously build a relationship with him knowing the QBs he's been around and similarities in some of the offenses that I've been in. It was great to have those moments with him. I think it's helped me for these moments now."

-- Bears quarterback Caleb Williams on conversations with Kliff Kingsbury at USC (via ESPN)

Bottom line

While Kingsbury's work with quarterbacks certainly makes him an enticing option, it's his previous head coaching failures that don't make him a good fit in Chicago. Sure, the next head coach needs to prioritize Williams' continued development. But this team also needs a leader of men who knows how to help get this team on a winning track, and Kingsbury just hasn't been able to do that in his previous stops between Texas Tech and the Cardinals.

Kingsbury led Arizona to just one winning record in four seasons, which marked his lone playoff appearance, and there were three other losing (or .500) seasons in the NFC West. In a loaded NFC North division, the Bears need someone who can help this team compete with some talented young rosters. Granted, this would be his best roster that's he's had, as there are pieces in place on both sides of the ball, and they could contend for the playoffs as soon as next season.

But when push comes to shove, even Kingsbury's prior experience with Williams won't be enough to earn him a head coach job with Chicago. Heck, if Kingsbury couldn't beat out Shane Waldron for offensive coordinator, what makes you think he's going to beat out the likes of Ben Johnson and Mike McCarthy for head coach?

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears HC candidate profile: Should Kliff Kingsbury be a contender?