CHICAGO – Chicago Bears defensive coordinator and former Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano has decided to retire, ESPN sources said, confirming several reports.
The Bears are likely to keep head coach Matt Nagy and manger Ryan Pace, sources said.
Pagano, 60, spent just two seasons in Chicago after a six-year meeting as Colts head coach. He was hired by the Bears on January 11, 2019, to replace the decorated defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who left to become head coach at the Denver Broncos.
In Pagano’s first season, Bears’ defense led NFC in allowed points per game (18.6) and placed second in the conference, in net yards per game (324.1).
The Chicago defense reappeared as the club’s strong point in the early parts of the 2020 season, but the group’s performance declined as the year wore on. Chicago finished the regular season in 15th on defense and 11th, while Bears (8-9) returned to the playoffs in Week 17.
Chicago was eliminated from the postseason by the New Orleans Saints on a 21-9 Sunday loss to the Superdome.
In six seasons as Colts head coach, Pagano went 53-43 in the regular season and 3-3 in the playoffs.
The fate of Nagy and Pace had been uncertain after the Bears lost eight of 11 to end the year and finished 1-7 against the playoff teams in 2020.
Nagy – named 2018 NFL Coach of the Year – has led Bears to two postseason posts in the last three years.
Pace just turned six years old as general manager in Chicago.