Bear Digest

Well-traveled linebackers coach Richard Smith now with Bears

Richard Smith, who started out in the NFL as a coach with the Houston Oilers, is the new Bears linebackers coach according to a Tribune report.
Gene Chamberlain|
Richard Smith leaves the field as Raiders linebackers coach in 2021.
Richard Smith leaves the field as Raiders linebackers coach in 2021. | Orlando Ramirez-Imagn Images

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With so many of the Bears coaching staff hires there has been extensive past interconnectivity with other members of the new staff.

With new linebackers coach Richard Smith, there is great connectivity to practically every team in the entire league. Brad Biggs of the Tribune reported Smith's hiring Tuesday by the Bears, who become the 12th NFL team to employ him.

Smith is the father of Travis Smith, who was defensive line coach for the Bears under Matt Eberflus.

's NFL experience goes all the way back to starting out with Jerry Glanville's 1988 Houston Oilers and was on the Broncos coaching staff with Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen for the 2011 season.

Smith was with the Colts the last three seasons, Raiders for one year prior and the Chargers from 2017-20.

Smith's coaching resume also includes stops with the 49ers, Falcons, Lions, Dolphins, Texans and Panthers.

He has been more than a linebackers coach with some teams. He was a defensive coordinator for the Dolphins in 2005, Texans 2006-08 and for the Falcons in 2015 and 2016.

The 69-year-old started out in coaching in 1979 and had his final year of college coaching in 1987 with Arizona State.

Bears staff reported

Head coach: Ben Johnson

Defensive coordinator: Dennis Allen

Offensive coordinator: Declan Doyle

Special teams coordinator: Richard Hightower

Offensive passing game coordinator: Press Taylor

Offensive line: Dan Roushar

Quarterbacks: J.T. Barrett

Wide receivers: Antwaan Randle El

Running backs: Eric Bieniemy

Tight ends: Jim Dray*

Secondary/defensive pass game coordinator: Al Harris

Defensive line: Bill Johnson

Linebackers: Richard Smith

Assistant QBs/receivers: Robbie Picazo*

Offensive quality control: Zach Cable*

Defensive quality control: Kevin Koch*

Defensive quality control: Kenny North III *

*Holdover coaches from Matt Eberflus staff.

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Gene Chamberlain
GENE CHAMBERLAIN

Gene Chamberlain has covered the Chicago Bears full time as a beat writer since 1994 and prior to this on a part-time basis for 10 years. He covered the Bears as a beat writer for Suburban Chicago Newspapers, the Daily Southtown, Copley News Service and has been a contributor for the Daily Herald, the Associated Press, Bear Report, CBS Sports.com and The Sporting News. He also has worked a prep sports writer for Tribune Newspapers and Sun-Times newspapers.