From George Halas to Matt Nagy: The 16 Bears head coaches

Former players Johnsos and Hunk Anderson coached the Bears together in the early 1940s when Halas entered the Navy during World War II. They won the championship in 1943. Johnsos was from Northwestern.

Johnsos’ record: 23-11-2 (.676)

(Al Phillips / Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Tribune

Nov. 14, 2014 3:35 PM PT

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A look at how every Bears coached fared during his career in Chicago.

When Halas left coaching for the final time in 1968, he named Dooley, an innovative assistant, to replace him. Dooley was the first Bears coach to be fired. He returned later as an assistant under Mike Ditka.

Dooley’s record: 20-36 (.357)

(Phil Mascione / Chicago Tribune)

He was promoted to coach in 1972 and presided over the worst Bears era ever. His teams were 19 games under .500 when he was fired. The jocular Gibron then became coach of the Chicago Winds of the WFL.

Gibron’s record: 11-30-1 (.268)

(Ed Feeney / Chicago Tribune)

He was the first true “outsider” to coach the Bears. In his third year at the helm in 1977, he led them to their first playoff berth in 14 years. He left to coach the Redskins after finishing two games under .500.

Pardee’s record: 20-22 (.476)

(Don Lansu / Getty Images)

General manager Jim Finks brought the Bud Grant disciple to the Bears along with assistant Buddy Ryan. Armstrong previously had been a coach in the Canadian League — without the Grey Cup titles.

Armstrong’s record: 30-34 (.469)

(Walter Kale / Chicago Tribune)

The Hall of Fame tight end became a Bears legend for giving the team its first and only Super Bowl win. After 11 seasons, he built up enough goodwill to sell pork chops in Chicago for the rest of his life.

Ditka’s record: 106-62 (.631)

(Charles Cherney / Chicago Tribune)

Ditka’s successor came highly regarded after coaching the Cowboys defense to a Super Bowl victory under Jimmy Johnson, but with the Bears he made the playoffs only once before he was run out of town.

Wannstedt’s record: 40-56 (.417)

(Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune)

He made the playoffs only once in five seasons, but it was a memorable one for sure. Jauron’s 2001 Bears went13-3 in dramatic fashion and won the NFC Central — and he was voted coach of the year.

Jauron’s record:35-45 (.438)

(Charles Cherney / Chicago Tribune)

The Cover-2 disciple was 18 games over .500 in nine years (3-3 in the playoffs) but was fired after a 10-6 season because the Bears missed the playoffs for the fifth time in six years after a Super Bowl appearance in 2006.

Smith’s record: 81-63 (.563)

(Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

The CFL champion coach and purported “quarterback whisperer” had the offense flying in his first season. But a sudden regression andalack of leadership led to a quick firing after Year 2.

Trestman’s record: 13-19 (.406)

(Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)