Chris Tabor named ST Coach.

TheBestPlayersPlay · #1 (**permalink**) 01-25-2011

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DMurph_BrownsPR Dan Murphy
The #Browns named Chris Tabor special teams coordinator. He spent the last 3 years as the Chicago Bears' assistant special teams coach

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Chris
Tabor

Chris Tabor is in his third season as Chicago's assistant special teams coach after being hired on February 22, 2008. Tabor came to the Bears after spending two seasons at Western Michigan University as the Broncos running backs and special teams coach.
In two seasons as an assistant to special teams coordinator Dave Toub, Tabor has helped his unit finish eighth and sixth in the NFL (according to the Dallas Morning News ranking system) in 2008 and 2009, respectively. During that time, the Bears rank second in the NFL in kickoff return average (25.0 ypr). In 2008, Danieal Manning led the NFL in kickoff return average (29.7) and in 2009, Johnny Knox finished second in the league earning a 2010 Pro Bowl nod as a returner.
Chicago is also second in the league, during that span, landing 66 punts inside-the-20 while tying for the NFL lead in fewest touchbacks with just seven. During Tabor's time as assistant special teams coach, Chicago ranks third in the league in punt coverage (6.8 ypr) and blocked kicks (six).
Since 2008, Chicago is one of only three teams in the NFL to not allow a special teams return touchdown, joining Buffalo and Tampa Bay. The Bears three kick return touchdowns during that span are tied for sixth in the league.
The Bears are sixth in the NFL in field goal percentage since 2008 connecting on 50 of 57 attempts (87.7 percent).
Prior to his time in Kalamazoo, he spent four seasons at Utah State where he was the running backs and special teams coach (2005) after being the Aggies' assistant head coach in charge of wide receivers from 2002-04.
Tabor spent four seasons with the current Bears special teams coordinator Dave Toub at the University of Missouri, beginning as an offensive graduate assistant (1997-99) and moving into the role of the running backs and special teams coach in 2000. In between his time at Missouri and Utah State, Tabor was the head coach at Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Mo. in 2001.
From 1993 to 1996, Tabor built experience at the community college and high school levels, coaching at Central Methodist College (1995-96) in Fayette, Mo., Hutchinson Community College (1994) in Hutchinson, Kansas, and Benton High School (1993) in St. Joseph, Mo.
Tabor graduated from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, where he spent four seasons as a quarterback for the Ravens football team. He earned his master's in education from Columbia College in Columbia, Mo.
Tabor and wife, Nikki, have two daughters, Paityn and Lainey.

Greythan · #2 (**permalink**) 01-25-2011

He better be friggin' good. How's that?

Seriously, all I know is that we didn't have to deal with crappy special teams these past few years. Solid return units that were sometimes spectacular, solid coverage units, great kicking/punting.

I don't want to see any drop off. This guy better get to work. Whoever the hell he is.

Neo · #3 (**permalink**) 01-25-2011

How hard is it to be a special teams coach? You just grab your gunner by the face mask and say "You see that guy down there? I want you to remove his head from his body." And on kick returns, you just give the ball to Cribbs and you tell his blockers to let the bodies hit the floor. Simple. (edit) and you resign Hodges and Dawson

Koa · #4 (**permalink**) 01-25-2011

The hiring of a ST coordinator isn't typically groundbreaking news, but it looks to be a good pick up by Shurm. I'm also liking the fact he's had a few years to work with an explosive talent like Hester the past few years.

+1

Greythan · #5 (**permalink**) 01-25-2011

Mitigating the excitement over his experience with Hester, is the fact that he wasn't responsible for the special teams. He was.... the assistant.

I'm neither excited nor angered by the hiring. He just needs to be at least as good as the last guy when it comes to results.

Danamal · #6 (**permalink**) 01-25-2011

Many are beginning to wonder if they were wrong in saying "off with his head".
Cant put the toothpaste back in the tube.
We sure did hire a bunch of rookies to coach this team,makes you kinda wonder how solid Holmgren's decision making is just a bit?...
Oh well these rookies better win at least eight games next year!

Dan in Florida · #7 (**permalink**) 01-25-2011

"Looks" to be a good hire

nickers · #8 (**permalink**) 01-25-2011

Im ok with it

DeadWombat · #9 (**permalink**) 01-25-2011

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Originally Posted by Greythan

Mitigating the excitement over his experience with Hester, is the fact that he wasn't responsible for the special teams. He was.... the assistant.

I'm neither excited nor angered by the hiring. He just needs to be at least as good as the last guy when it comes to results.

That pretty much echos my own thoughts.

I don't like the lack of experience, but it looks to be a good hire.

I'm much more worried about which no-name scrub we'll be picking up for our OC.

Jax Dawg · #10 (**permalink**) 01-25-2011

Mangini always talked about players he picked up by how well they would contribute on special teams...I expect a drop off on ST next year not just because he will be a first time Coach but because no one on the current staff will be looking to pick up players based solely on their ability to contribute to ST.

Shurmur better not make the same kind of mistake Mangini made selecting his OC.