Bears hire Colts DBs/safeties coach Alan Williams as DC

Williams joins the Bears' recent head-coaching hire Matt Eberflus in coming over from the Indianapolis Colts, as the former served as the team's defensive backs/safeties coach in 2021, while the latter as the Colts' defensive coordinator. Eberflus was named Chicago's next leader on Jan. 27.

The organization announced multiple hires in addition to Williams on Wednesday, including Dave Borgonzi (linebackers) and Chris Morgan (offensive line). The Bears hired former Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator Luke Getsy as their new offensive coordinator last week.

After four seasons as an assistant head coach at the high school level, and five more with his alma mater (William & Mary) as running backs coach and then defensive backs coach, the 52-year-old Williams joined the NFL in 2001. Williams was a defensive assistant with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that season, before moving on to Indianapolis for his first run with the Colts.

Williams served as the team's secondary coach from 2002 to 2011, including their AFC title-winning campaign in 2009. The Norfolk, Va., native was then the Vikings' defensive coordinator in 2012 and 2013, before splitting the last eight years between the Lions and Colts, serving as the defensive backs/safeties coach with both clubs.