Introduction to Ben Johnson’s Coaching Style
Bears head coach Ben Johnson isn’t playing most of his starters Sunday, but the first preseason game against the Dolphins is an important dry run for at least one person — Johnson himself.
Understanding the Importance of Preseason Games
Johnson spent the offseason watching film and testing himself about what he would do in certain situations — whether to call a timeout, go for it on fourth down or any of a series of a thousand small decisions head coaches have to make in a given game. He has spent the offseason program training his players about what certain code words mean when the Bears want to run plays at faster or slower tempos, depending on the score, or when to spike the ball or do whatever else a ticking clock requires from them. As outdated as preseason games have become, they still offer a great testing ground for in-game decisions. Johnson, who never has been a head coach at any level, gets his first trial Sunday.
Learning from Past Experiences
‘‘We’ve done a lot behind the scenes with our walkthrough settings that both educate the players and allow the coaching staff to get on the same page with what’s going on and what some of the words mean,’’ Johnson said. ‘‘Once you get into crunch time and the guns are going off, you have to make sure that one word tells everybody what’s going on. It has been a learning process because it’s our first year doing it all together.’’ The Bears are used to head coaches learning on the fly. Except for three seasons of John Fox and two of Paddy Driscoll, every head coach in franchise history came to Halas Hall without previous NFL head-coaching experience.
Managing Game Situations
Johnson’s ability to manage game situations, however, takes on special meaning this season. He wouldn’t have the job had Matt Eberflus not mangled game management last season on his way to becoming the first Bears head coach fired during the season. There were several instances where Eberflus’s decisions were questioned, including a game against the Lions where he failed to call a timeout, and a game against the Commanders where his defense played soft coverage, allowing the opposing team to move into "Hail Mary" range.
Comparison with Predecessor
Eberflus was in his third season, not his first. The Bears’ roster was so depleted early in his tenure, however, that he didn’t have a database of close games from which to draw. He won only three of his first 21 games. Johnson has no database at all. He can’t repeat those mistakes, however, no matter how inexperienced he might be. ‘‘I know he’s calling the plays and things like that,’’ safety Kevin Byard said Friday. ‘‘But also another responsibility of a head coach is being able to be great in situations, timeouts and all these other situations. I just think us being in the team meetings, he’s dialed in with everything. . . . We know last season had a lot of those situations. I think it’s going to be really good this year.’’
Experience and Guidance
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has been in Johnson’s shoes before. He was 39 when the Raiders made him a first-time head coach in 2013. Johnson turned 39 in May. ‘‘You’re watching tape, and you’re trying to put yourself through as many of those scenarios as you can,’’ Allen said. ‘‘When we’re out here at practice, you’re putting yourself through those scenarios. But, ultimately, there’s no substitute for being in live battle and being able to do those things. . . . It’s all dress rehearsal for the regular season. I think all of us will learn — players, coaches, everybody alike.’’
Communication and Strategy
That includes headset communication with his coaches. Allen will be standing on the sideline, while many of his position coaches will be in the press box. The Bears still are working through whether offensive coordinator Declan Doyle will be upstairs or not. It took only an hour of Family Fest last Sunday for Johnson to figure out what he wanted and what he didn’t like. He wants coaches talking on their headsets only when it’s absolutely necessary. ‘‘I don’t like a lot of chatter on the lines,’’ Johnson said with a smile. ‘‘Those guys already got that memo.’’
Conclusion
The Bears will learn more details Sunday and in the final two preseason games. After all, there’s only so many scenarios in which Johnson can test himself during practice. ‘‘That’s really why I’m excited about these preseason games,’’ Johnson said, ‘‘is that it’s actually going to occur organically.’’ With the guidance of experienced coaches and a keen understanding of the importance of game management, Ben Johnson is ready to take on the challenges of being a head coach in the NFL.
FAQs
Q: What is the significance of the preseason game against the Dolphins for Ben Johnson?
A: The preseason game against the Dolphins is an important dry run for Ben Johnson, as it will be his first trial as a head coach in a live game situation.
Q: What has Ben Johnson been doing to prepare for game situations?
A: Ben Johnson has been watching film, testing himself, and training his players to understand code words and make quick decisions during games.
Q: How does Ben Johnson’s experience compare to his predecessor, Matt Eberflus?
A: Ben Johnson has no previous head-coaching experience, while Matt Eberflus was in his third season when he was fired. However, Johnson is determined to learn from Eberflus’s mistakes and improve game management.
Q: Who will be guiding Ben Johnson during the preseason games?
A: Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who has experience as a first-time head coach, will be guiding Ben Johnson during the preseason games.
Q: What is Ben Johnson’s approach to headset communication with his coaches?
A: Ben Johnson wants coaches to talk on their headsets only when it’s absolutely necessary, to minimize chatter and ensure clear communication.
