The charter franchise of the NFL added another coach with HBCU ties to the team.
The Chicago Bears on Tuesday have targeted former Hampton offensive coordinator Chris Beatty as its new wide receivers coach, according to ESPN Chicago reporter Courtney Cronin. He is expected to help fortify a wide receivers group led by 1,000-yard pass-catcher D.J. Moore.
The Bears have hired Chris Beatty as their new wide receivers coach, per source. Beatty coached DJ Moore at Maryland (2016-17).
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) January 30, 2024
Beatty was the offensive coordinator for one season at Hampton in 2006, but it was a successful one. The Pirates team produced a 10-2 record and earned a berth in the FCS playoffs after winning the MEAC championship with a 6-1 conference mark.
Under Beatty, the Pirates boasted the No. 7 scoring offense in the FCS at 34.2 points per game. Four players coached by Beatty, including Dereck Faulkner, Onrea Jones, and Marquay McDaniel, signed NFL free-agent contracts.
Following his stint at Hampton, Beatty was an assistant at several FBS schools before landing his first NFL job with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019 as a wide receivers coach. Beatty has spent the last two seasons in the same role with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Last week the Bears named former Grambling State football player Eric Washington its defensive coordinator.