The Chicago Bears are already experiencing change within its coaching staff. On Monday, ESPN’s Courtney Cronin reported that Bears defensive backs coach James Rowe will be leaving the team after its regular season finale against the Minnesota Vikings.
Per source, Bears DBs coach James Rowe is leaving Chicago after the season to become USF's defensive passing game coordinator on Alex Golesh's new staff. Rowe, a 2009 graduate of South Florida, returns to his alma mater spending the last 2 seasons coaching in the NFL.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) January 2, 2023
Rowe, who graduated from the University of South Florida in 2009, is returning to his alma mater to serve as the defensive passing game coordinator. He coached alongside head coach Matt Eberflus as the Indianapolis Colts’ cornerbacks coach in 2021 before following him to Chicago last off-season.
Rowe is set to join newly hired Alex Golesh’s staff at USF. Golesh previously served as the offensive coordinator for the University of Tennessee.
Overall, this isn’t a huge loss for Chicago. Though there are budding stars in the Bears’ secondary such as Jaquan Brisker, Jaylon Johnson, and Kyler Gordon, the team currently ranks 28th in passing defense.
With plenty of personnel decisions to make this off-season, Eberflus must now find Rowe’s replacement along the way.
Featured image via Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
