Bears coach Ben Johnson’s staff is taking shape as he prepares for his first season at the helm, as Chicago hired Declan Doyle as offensive coordinator and brought in Dennis Allen as defensive coordinator, ESPN and NFL Network reported Sunday night.
ESPN also reported that the Bears are keeping special teams coordinator Richard Hightower.
Doyle, 28, will be stepping into the largest role of his career thus far. He was with the Denver Broncos from 2023-24 as the tight ends coach after spending time as an offensive assistant with the New Orleans Saints (2019-22) and a student assistant at Iowa (2016-18).
The 52-year-old Allen has head-coaching experience under his belt, leading New Orleans to an 18-25 record in parts of three seasons (2022-24) long after directing the Raiders, then stationed in Oakland, to an 8-28 mark in parts of three seasons (2012-14).
Allen broke into the NFL coaching scene with the Atlanta Falcons in 2002, and he was with the organization until 2005. He then had his first stint with the Saints, getting reps as the assistant defensive line coach from 2006-07 before taking over as secondary coach in 2008.
Allen has been a defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos (2011) and the Saints (2015-21).
Chicago went 5-12 this season, posting a 4-8 record under Matt Eberflus, who was fired on Nov. 29. The Bears were able to pluck Johnson from the NFC North rival Detroit Lions after the 38-year-old served as their offensive coordinator from 2022-24.
