Chicago Bears

Bears hire DeLeone as inside linebackers coach

Published Jan. 29, 2019 5:43 p.m. ET

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears have hired Mark DeLeone as inside linebackers coach.

DeLeone spent the past six seasons on Andy Reid's staff in Kansas City and worked with Bears coach Matt Nagy from 2013-17. DeLeone coached inside linebackers this season after serving as the Chiefs' assistant linebackers coach (2015-17) and defensive quality control coach (2013-14).

DeLeone worked with Pro Bowl linebackers such as Derrick Johnson, Tamba Hali and Justin Houston in Kansas City. Houston set a franchise record with 22 sacks in 2014.

In Chicago, DeLeone will try to get the most out of promising rookie Roquan Smith. He will also work under new defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano.

Led by a dominant defense, Chicago won the NFC North at 12-4 in Nagy's first season.