Bears hire former Coyote as assistant coach

VERMILLION, S.D.—The Chicago Bears have hired former University of South Dakota offensive lineman Andy Bischoff as their tight ends coach. Bischoff, who played for the Coyotes from 1990-93, previously coached for the Montreal Alouettes under Bears Head Coach Marc Trestman.

Bischoff spent the last five seasons (2008-12) as the Alouettes’ running backs coach. During that time he was also the assistant to Trestman and during the final three seasons (2010-12) in Montreal was the Alouettes’ special teams coordinator.

Bischoff joined the Alouettes following 14 years on the coaching staff of Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, Minn. He started as the school’s offensive line coach (1993-97) before adding the duties of run game coordinator in 1999. He was co-offensive coordinator from 2000-03 before being named assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for his final four seasons (2004-07). During that time, the school compiled a 168-22 record, winning the state title in 1999 and playing in four championship games after reaching the state playoff tournament 13 times. During his years at CDH, he helped develop 18 offensive linemen who eventually made the step up to the NCAA division I-A level, including Ryan Harris of the Houston Texans. He was also the Dean of Students for 10 of his 14 years at the school.

During the offseason, Bischoff worked the U.S. Army High School All-American Bowl as the Director of Football Operations for the West Team, a role he occupied for the last five years after coaching the game in 2008.

Bischoff graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education from USD in 1994. He went on to complete a master’s degree in Education Administration from Mankato State University in 1998 and a post master’s license in administration from St. Mary’s University (MN) in 2006.