The Chicago Bears have their new head coach: John Fox.
On Friday, in Week 3 of their coaching search, the Bears and new general manager Ryan Pace closed the deal with Fox, bringing the soon-to-be 60-year-old on board to become the 15th head coach in franchise history.
A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed that Fox's four-year deal with the Bears was finalized early Friday afternoon. Fox and Pace are expected to return to Chicago from Denver later Friday.
The Bears will formally introduce Fox at 11 a.m. Monday at Halas Hall.
Fox spent the past four seasons as the head coach of the Denver Broncos, compiling a 46-18 regular-season record there, reaching the playoffs all four years and helping Denver to Super Bowl XLVIII a year ago.
Fox left the Broncos on Monday, a day after losing 24-13 to the Indianapolis Colts in the divisional round of the AFC playoffs. His departure, accelerated by a strained relationship with Broncos GM and executive vice president of football operations John Elway, was described as a mutual parting of ways by the team.
Before arriving in Denver, Fox spent nine seasons as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers, going 73-71, winning two division titles and making three playoff appearances, including a run to Super Bowl XXVIII after the 2003 season.
Now Fox will look to rejuvenate a Bears team that finished 2014 at 5-11 and in last place in the NFC North, responding with the firings of GM Phil Emery and head coach Marc Trestman.
Pace was brought on board to replace Emery on Jan. 8, quickly taking over the controls of a search that was also being overseen by chairman George McCaskey, team president Ted Phillips and consultant Ernie Accorsi.
Other candidates known to have interviewed for the Bears' head-coaching position were Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase, Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles (since hired as Jets head coach), Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and former Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone.
At his introduction at Halas Hall last week, Pace said he was targeting the "best man for the job" and said he would prioritize coaching candidates who showcased obvious "confidence, charisma, discipline and leadership."
Fox fit the bill.
It remains to be seen whom Fox will bring on as his coordinators or what members of the Bears' current coaching staff he'll decide to retain. According to a source close to the situation, Kyle Shanahan could emerge as a top candidate to become the Bears offensive coordinator with Dennis Allen a potential option as the defensive coordinator.
Fox's hiring ends a process that began Dec. 29 with McCaskey and Phillips vowing to get the organization back on track.
"We understand the magnitude of this decision," McCaskey said then. "And we understand that Bears fans are counting on us to get it right."
