The brand new period of Chicago Bears soccer isn’t simply aiming to depend on the arm and legs of Justin Fields at quarterback, however the franchise made the choice to pivot again to a defensive id the second they employed Matt Eberflus as head coach.
Now, the person behind the “H.I.T.S” precept is aiming to make use of Season 2 to raise the Bears additional after their 3-14 marketing campaign in 2022.
Matt Eberflus’ Background and Private Mantra
Eberflus, 53, was employed away from the Indianapolis Colts in January 2022 after working their protection from 2018 to 2021.
Earlier than his arrival to the Windy Metropolis, Eberflus didn’t take lengthy to put in his blueprint on the Colts protection by way of one mantra: H.I.T.S.
The which means behind the acronym? Hustle, depth, the ball, good. However his Colts defenses positioned a giant emphasis on the primary letter of his precept.
“When you’re not hustling, should you’re not on the market making an attempt to get to the ball on each play, then you’ll not play. It’s easy,” former Colts linebacker Anthony Walker as soon as stated in a 2019 interview with Stephen Holder of The Athletic.
Holder added the opposite parts Eberflus instilled in Indy.
“This man is just not working a protection. He’s instilling a tradition. It’s an obsessive, uncompromising, and ultra-demanding tradition of hustle, self-discipline, and teamwork,” Holder wrote.
Throughout his time in Indy, Eberflus guided a protection to a few top-10 rankings throughout his 4 seasons as defensive coordinator. And that features the No. 9 rating in his remaining season with the staff.
Eberflus’ Space of Experience Benefitted 2 Unknown LBs Who Blossomed Below Him
As a school linebacker, Eberflus is aware of a factor or two about hustling. And his space of experience went on to result in skyrocketing outcomes for 2 comparatively unknown LBs, together with one who confronted a lower.
Earlier than Eberflus took over the Colts protection, the earlier regime had advocated that the 2017 fifth-rounder Walker be launched from the staff. Nevertheless, Eberflus noticed one thing in him to permit him to work along with his protection. The consequence was back-to-back 100-tackle seasons for Walker and a mixed 16 tackles for a loss within the first two seasons beneath Eberflus.
Walker wasn’t the one LB who flourished beneath Eberflus. A previous HBCU standout named Shaq Leonard instantly established himself as a defensive cornerstone for Indy, wracking up 163 whole tackles to earn Defensive Rookie of the 12 months honors and his first All-Professional nod.
And in each season Eberflus was his DC, Leonard surpassed 120 whole tackles and tallied 30 stops behind the road.
Earlier than the Colts, different notable linebackers Eberflus coached included Corridor of Famer DeMarcus Ware and Professional Bowler Anthony Spencer when all three had been with the Dallas Cowboys.
Eberflus Common Day With the Bears
Now with a staff of his personal, Eberflus begins his time without work early, in accordance with the Bears’ web site — 6:15 a.m., to be precise.
His day begins with a shot of espresso and a scripture he listens to. Then, after a second cup of espresso, the employees conferences start.
It’s all a part of a 13-14 hour work day of constructing the brand new Bears’ tradition.
Now, Eberflus has Professional Bowler Tremaine Edmunds serving to ignite Chicago’s protection. The Bears additionally lately added LB Mykal Walker through waivers from the Atlanta Falcons.
Now, these early mornings and the “H.I.T.S” motivation will purpose to develop into fruition for the Bears beneath Eberflus.
