John Fox has a long-standing reputation for being able to identify coaching talent. The fact that three of his former coordinators were or are still head coach in the league is proof enough of that. After seeing a large portion of his staff exit this off-season, that ability was being put to the test yet again. Perhaps none more important than the wide receivers assistant position.
With Alshon Jeffery's status for 2017 still up in the air, having a quality coach who can develop young talent in case he leaves was imperative. So it wasn't welcome news when veteran Curtis Johnson chose to depart after one year to rejoin the New Orleans Saints. Nonetheless this is the business part of the NFL.
Could they find somebody capable enough to take over the job without losing some of the quality progress made by guys like Cameron Meredith. As it turns out the Bears seemed to have eyes for somebody in particular and made a strong push to get him. Based on prior accomplishments, Fox's eye for ability hasn't diminished one bit.
YOUNG GUN
Zach Azzanni isn't known much among NFL fans, but he's become a hot name in the college ranks. He was hired by coaching great Urban Meyer after all when he first got started back 2001 at Bowling Green. Fast forward 16 years and he's about to join the professional ranks for the first time as Rivals and other sources are indicating.It became obvious right away that Azzani had a keen understanding of the receiver position. He rose through the ranks to take it over quickly at Bowling Green. Then in 2007 he earned the same job at Central Michigan. That was where he caught his first break. People began to take notice after he helped develop a young man by the name of Antonio Brown during his three seasons there. [video width="854" height="480" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Antonio-Brown-Roasts-the-Dolphins-Defense-for-TD-Dolphins-vs.-Steelers-NFL-Wild-Card-Highlights.mp4"][/video] He didn't stop there though. In 2010 he jumped over to Florida for a year, helping Riley Cooper to get drafted by Philadelphia. Then in 2012 he landed in Wisconsin where he assisted with both Nick Toon and Jared Abbrederis becoming draft picks as well. Since then he went to Tennessee in 2013 and remained there until present day. True to form he helped two more young men earn high draft selections in Cordarrelle Patterson and Justin Hunter.
STERLING REPUTATION
Two things that stood out most about Azzani? His teams tended to win and he had an excellent knack for recruiting players. It wasn't just isolated success either. Every program that hired him just tended to experience more winning."Azzanni has experienced three Bowl seasons at Central Michigan, a BCS All State Sugar Bowl win, another Outback Bowl win at Florida, 2 Bowl wins while Wide Receiver's Coach at Bowling Green, including one over Big Ten Opponent Northwestern and a Taxslayer Gator Bowl and Outback Bowl win at Tennessee against the Iowa Hawkeyes."With a young quarterback almost certain to be coming in this year, it's imperative the Chicago Bears put some quality weapons around him. This makes having a good receivers coach all the more valuable. Azzani may not be a household name but it's obvious the man knows exactly what his job entails. That is what is most important.
