Chicago has the most respected group of coaches and managers in the last 15 years

Laughing Stock

Aren't you sick of being the laughing stock in the group chat?

Have you endured the shame of hearing "At least you're not a Bears fan" across the room and the laughter that ensues when they all turn to you?

Chicago sports have been comically bad. Among the Big 5 (Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox), the last championship was NINE years ago. The last playoff series win and/or NFL playoff game win was EIGHT years ago when that Cubs core made a third consecutive NLCS run.

Otherwise, we've seen a post-Lonzo Bulls team get destroyed by the Bucks, a COVID-bubble Hawks team wiggle their way into the "playoffs", the high-powered Sox get stomped two years in a row, a double doink, and a .500 Bears team that let the ball slip through their hands in New Orleans.

It's a joke, and we're all laughing about it now. How else are we supposed to cope?

Since the last Cubs core was around, radio callers have offered up their best rants, the national media has paid their bills at our expense, and I'm sure your friends and co-workers have enjoyed themselves a bit too much.

Obviously, ownership and front offices should be the main recipients of the blame. But with Jeff Blashill now in town to guide the next era of Blackhawks hockey, I decided to look at the group of coaches in Chicago as a representation of the state of our teams.

Today’s Coaching Group

Blashill completes a full set. We're temporarily done with bottom shelf amateurs molding the level of play on the field. Only true professionals are in town.

Here's a look at the current group of coaches and managers:

Ben Johnson - Bears

Hire Date: January 21, 2025

Record: 0-0

Previous Head Coach Experience: None

Hiring Process: Extremely expansive search

The NFL’s top offensive coordinator was the hottest name in the coaching cycle, whether he was interested or not. He famously declined the opportunity to become the Commanders head coach in the 2024 offseason while Washington’s executives were on a plane to Detroit to interview him.

His Lions offenses from 2022-2024 finished in the Top 5 in points/game and yards/game every year. Players around the league were astonished at how creative and successful his unit became. Everyone knew this was the next Sean McVay of offensive football.

The Bears took action immediately after the Lions surprisingly lost 45-31 to that same Commanders team, led by Dan Quinn instead, in the divisional round. Three days after the game, Ben Johnson signed on the dotted line in Chicago. 20 candidates…TWENTY…and everyone with the Bears knew this was the right guy,

How will he fare as a head coach? We have no idea.

We do know that everyone connected to the NFL believes in him. The expectation is that he will win, and he will win quickly. Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR) and Brad Holmes (GM) couldn’t even fathom that Johnson left for a division rival. They’re scared to face him twice a year.

Early reports are all great. It sounds like he’s as detailed of a coach anyone has ever been around. And he demands greatness. Stay tuned…

Jeff Blashill - Blackhawks

Hire Date: May 22, 2025

Record: 0-0

Previous Head Coach Experience: Detroit Red Wings 2015-2022 (204-261-72), NCAA, USHL, AHL

Hiring Process: Expansive search

The latest addition to the crew is also one of the most experienced. He’s been an NHL head coach, albeit for a rebuilding Red Wings team, and has a Clark Cup and Calder Cup to his name.

His work with Team USA has been applauded by everyone in the sport. His most recent boss, Jon Cooper, raves about him and couldn’t be more excited to see him get another head coaching opportunity. Florida Panthers GM Bill Zito called this “a 10 star hire”.

Kyle Davidson was adamant about hiring a coach earlier in the offseason than when he found Luke Richardson in 2022. They ended up hiring Blashill a full month-plus before Richardson was hired, but the process felt long and secretive to fans.

The Hawks took their time, and they still found their guy. Hiring someone with vast experience working with younger players seemed to be priority number 1. Blashill fit the bill.

All we’ve heard so far are press conferences, and we know they are essentially meaningless. However, Blashill has appeared extremely confident. He has a plan that he knows will work, he believes in the young core in Chicago, and he’s benefitted from so many different situations around the NHL.

If anything, Blashill brings a seriousness to the organization. This is a real coach.

Billy Donovan - Bulls

Hire Date: September 22, 2020

Record: 195-205

Previous Head Coach Experience: Oklahoma City Thunder 2015-2020 (243-157), NCAA

Hiring Process: Expansive search and flight to Florida

After the Fred Hoiberg and Jim Boylen debacles, newly appointed Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas decided to search for a new head coach.

Billy Donovan and the Thunder parted ways because of their impending rebuild. And where are the Thunder now?!? Just about to win a championship…

Donovan wanted to take a breath after the Thunder lost in the 1st round of the Bubble Playoffs in 2020 and spend time with his family. Instead, he fielded calls from NBA executives, including Karnisovas. AK actually got on a plane to visit Donovan in his home to convince him to come to Chicago.

I respect the aggressiveness from the beginning of AK’s tenure.

Between back-to-back NCAA Championships with the University of Florida and an impressive record with the Thunder as their core disbanded, the Bulls found a proven head coach. Obviously, his time in Chicago has been bumpy. The roster has not been good enough, and the front office stubbornly refused to move on from Lonzo Ball’s injury or move away from a flawed core.

Even so, Donovan has created a light-hearted but professional culture in the locker room, adapted his preferred play style over the years, and extracted improved production from numerous young players. I’m fine with being the outlier on this one - Donovan is still a very good coach.

Craig Counsell - Cubs

Hire Date: November 6, 2023

Record: 128-107

Previous Manager Experience: Milwaukee Brewers 2015-2023 (707-625)

Hiring Process: Secret meetings with Jed Hoyer

Counsell was never supposed to be a Cub.

The Brewers were a powerhouse that defied all logic. Counsell just completed his 3rd 90+ win season, 3rd division title, and 5th playoff appearance at the helm of a low-budget organization that magically figured out how to win baseball games on the margins. Not only was he successful, he was a true Wisconsinite. He grew up there, it was his baseball home where he played the most, and he was beloved by Brewers fans (all 17 of them).

He was the enemy. And then he wanted a new challenge.

As the Cubs' protege David Ross started to enjoy his winter down in Florida, Jed Hoyer showed up to his house to deliver bad news. Hoyer had been secretly meeting with Counsell once the manager's contract expired with the Brewers on November 1st, 2023. Only a few people in the entire Cubs organization were aware of these conversations. This was the stealth mission above all other stealth missions. In the end, the two sides agreed to join forces and turn the Cubs back into a winner.

This tweet will forever live in my brain:

The highest paid manager in baseball didn't help the team's win total in 2024, as they went from 83 wins to...83 wins. But after a year of assimilating to the team, bringing in his own coaches, and instilling a new brand of baseball at Wrigley, Counsell and the Cubs are ROLLING.

Will Venable - White Sox

Hire Date: October 31, 2024

Record: 23-52

Previous Manager Experience: None

Hiring Process: Expansive search

Chris Getz had to find the right candidate to "flush" away the historic 121-loss season and dreadful Pedro Grifol era. Grady Sizemore went from his first major league coaching position on Grifol's staff to interim manager when Grifol was let go. But the whole city knew Sizemore was not prepared to guide a team long-term, especially one desperately in need of fundamental changes.

A host of interviews were reported, including names like Skip Schumaker and Phil Nevin. There was a balanced combination of experience and fresh eyes. Will Venable ended up being the choice, and the Sox were applauded. I bet Jed Hoyer gave his neighbor (Getz) a high five!

Venable was seen by every peer and former boss as a future manager. He was recently the associate manager with the legendary Bruce Bochy in Texas. Not only had Venable been around winning teams, he knew what it took to be the face of a team in Chicago. Theo and Jed hired him as a special assistant in 2017, and he later coached first and third base on the north side.

People speak about him in the same way as Counsell: demands effort, even-keel, impressive baseball IQ, leader with a presence. If he's still around when the White Sox field a competitive team (in 6 years?), he may actually hold his position. It's early, but there have been legitimate signs of fundamental baseball at Guaranteed Rate Field.

It's Been 15 Years

Connor Bedard just turned 5. The Blackhawks just raised the Cup for the first time since 1961. Jay Cutler was the Bears QB. Theo Epstein was in Boston.

15 years was a long time ago.

The 2010 coaches were the last respected group, and they were MUCH more accomplished than today’s group:

Lovie Smith, Tom Thibodeau, Ozzie Guillen, Joel Quenneville, Lou Piniella

Technically, this group was in Chicago for EXACTLY 2 months. Thibodeau was hired on June 22nd, and Piniella stepped down on August 22nd. Still counts 🤷‍♂️

2015 is an honorable mention:

Tom Thibodeau, Joel Quenneville, Joe Maddon, John Fox, Robin Ventura

But…John Fox was ready for retirement, and Robin Ventura was a disappointing former-player-turned-manager who finished with a .463 win percentage with the White Sox.

Other than that…I think we have to go back to last century, before 2000.

The Hawks have been a mess behind the bench without Coach Q. The Bears won some games under Matt Nagy but have otherwise been a punch line. The White Sox had a Hall of Famer for 2 years, but he also slept on the job.

It has been a dark and winding road for Chicago. Coaches aren’t the only indicator of success or failure, but finding a special character in that role can lead to historic accomplishments. Let’s hope these 5 can turn respect into rings.