Bears to hire longtime NFL assistant Eric Studesville as running backs coach: source

The Bears are bringing back a familiar face in more ways than one. They agreed to hire veteran NFL assistant Eric Studesville as running backs coach, a source said.

Studesville, 58, coached running backs and held other titles with the Dolphins the last nine seasons, spanning three head coaches. He worked alongside Bears coach Ben Johnson as Dolphins assistants in 2017 and ’18.

His first stint as a Bears assistant was from 1997 through 2000 under Dave Wannstedt and Dick Jauron. The last two seasons with the Bears, he was their wide receivers coach and assistant special teams coach.

Studesville also has coached running backs for the Giants, Bills and Broncos.

The job was open because Eric Bieniemy left after one season to return to the Chiefs as offensive coordinator, replacing former Bears coach Matt Nagy.

The Bears also need to find an offensive coordinator after Declan Doyle went to the Ravens after one season in the job for the chance to be a play-caller, but hiring out of order isn’t an issue given that Johnson runs the offense and calls plays.