As the Chicago Bears look to move past another challenging NFL season, they’ve set their sights on a potential new head coach, Matt Campbell, who currently helms the Iowa State Cyclones. Campbell's tenure at Iowa State has been marked by success and acclaim, casting him as a promising candidate to take over the Bears' coaching reins.
Matt Campbell's Impressive Track Record
Since taking the head coach position at Iowa State in 2016, Matt Campbell has established himself as a transformative figure in college football. Under his leadership, the Cyclones have amassed a 62-50 record. While on paper this may not appear extraordinary, considering the historical context, it is a significant achievement. Campbell has delivered a winning percentage of 55.4%, a figure that makes him the most successful coach in the history of Iowa State football.
One of the highlights of his career at Iowa State was leading the team to its first-ever 10-win season in 2024. This milestone was not an isolated success; it came amidst a period of five consecutive winning seasons, underscoring the sustained growth and competitiveness Campbell brought to the program. Moreover, the Cyclones’ appearance in the Big 12 Championship Game in the same year marked their second in six years, further cementing Campbell’s legacy at the school.
A Potential Move to the NFL
Despite his deep ties and commitments at Iowa State, including an eight-year extension signed in December that binds him to the Cyclones through 2032, the lure of the NFL can be hard to resist for many college coaches. With the Chicago Bears parting ways with Matt Eberflus following a disappointing 14-32 record over his tenure, they are in search of a new direction, and Campbell could be the visionary leader they need.
The Bears finished the last season with a 7-10 record, only for their struggles to deepen into the 2024 campaign, where their record stood at 4-8 before settling their score with the Green Bay Packers in the final game. This victory, however, was a brief moment of relief in an otherwise turbulent season. Thomas Brown, previously the pass game coordinator, stepped in as the interim head coach, momentarily stabilizing the team’s operations.
Opportunities and Challenges
For the Bears, the challenge isn't just finding a new coach, but one who can rejuvenate a storied franchise burdened with recent underperformance. Campbell’s ability to turn a hitherto unremarkable Iowa State team into contenders suggests he possesses the innovative tactics and leadership qualities required to spark a similar renaissance in Chicago.
The Bears have the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, a prime opportunity to secure new talent to bolster their roster. A new head coach, particularly one with a strong development pedigree like Campbell, could significantly influence the outcomes of such critical decisions. The prospect of crafting a team afresh, with a talented young roster at his disposal, may well appeal to Campbell’s coaching aspirations.
Critical Considerations
However, the transition from college football to the NFL is rife with challenges. College coaches often face steep learning curves as they adjust to the professional game's increased complexity and intensity. Campbell's successful adaptation would depend on his ability to translate his college successes into the high-pressure, high-stakes environment of the NFL.
While the Bears evaluate Campbell’s potential fit, the decision represents a gamble, one that underscores the team's desire to shift from their recent struggles to a future filled with promise and revitalized competitive spirit. For Campbell, should he choose to leap to the professional ranks, it would be a strategic career milestone offering potential rewards commensurate with the risks involved.
The coming months will be crucial for both Chicago and Campbell as they determine their respective directions. As the Bears navigate their coaching search, the focus will be on finding a leader capable of steering the franchise back to glory, with Matt Campbell very much in their sights as a figure who might fulfill that lofty ambition.