On Monday, the Chicago Bears welcomed a new addition to their defensive coaching staff. Matt Eberflus, the head coach, announced that the team has brought Phil Snow on board as a senior defensive analyst.
Eberflus had high praise for Snow, describing him as a remarkable individual with a humble demeanor. He emphasized Snow’s collaborative work ethic, his ability to provide valuable insights, and his track record of contributing to strong defensive units in the past.
Snow’s most recent role was as the defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers from 2020 to 2022. During his tenure, the Panthers’ defense displayed varying performances, with rankings of 22nd in yards allowed and 19th in points allowed in the most recent season, 2nd in yards allowed but 21st in points allowed in 2021, and 18th in both points and yards allowed in 2020. Prior to his time with the Panthers, Snow achieved success as Baylor’s defensive coordinator in 2019, where the team ranked 19th in the nation in points allowed.
The connection between Eberflus and Snow dates back to their introduction at the NFL Combine, facilitated by their shared mentor, Rod Marinelli. Eberflus and Marinelli worked closely together as position coaches for the Cowboys in 2013, and later, Eberflus served under Marinelli when he held the position of Cowboys’ defensive coordinator from 2014 to 2017. Snow, on the other hand, had a longstanding association with Marinelli, collaborating at various institutions, including Cal, Arizona State, and the Lions.
Snow’s primary responsibilities at Halas Hall will include preparing comprehensive advanced scouting reports on the Bears’ upcoming opponents. Although he won’t be present at the games, he will offer summaries of critical situations throughout the week.
An additional advantage of Snow’s presence on the coaching staff is his familiarity with Eberflus’s defensive schemes, which is crucial for effective preparation. Eberflus also values Snow’s diverse coaching experiences, particularly his expertise in utilizing various pressure strategies.
Eberflus has taken on the role of the Bears’ defensive coordinator in addition to his head coaching duties following the departure of former defensive coordinator Alan Williams, who officially resigned from the position on September 20.