Bears Go Tactical with Veteran for Revolutionary Coaching Role

The Chicago Bears brought on retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Andy Riise last year as the team’s Mental Performance and Leadership Coordinator.

Although not a traditional Xs and Os football coach, Riise focuses on coaching Bears players and staff on the mental aspects of their performance, helping them excel both on and off the field.

This week, Riise appeared on Fox Sports insider Jay Glazer’s podcast, Unbreakable, where he discussed his unique role.

“I’m not a counselor or therapist in the traditional sense,” Riise explained to Glazer. “Think of me more as a strength coach for the brain. My job is to help athletes perform at their best and recover quickly when facing challenges on or off the field.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Riise emphasized the Bears’ holistic approach to mental health, which combines traditional therapy provided by clinicians with his focus on mental performance coaching.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Riise joined the Bears in February 2024 after serving 24 years in the U.S. Army, where he held various roles starting in 1996.

Before joining the NFL, he honed his skills as a mental performance coach in Major League Baseball, working with the Seattle Mariners, Colorado Rockies, and Cincinnati Reds.

The Chicago Tribune reported that during Caleb Williams‘ pre-draft visit to Halas Hall, Bears GM Ryan Poles made sure the young quarterback met with Riise as part of the experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This season, the Bears faced plenty of on-field moments that could test a player’s mental resilience, not to mention the personal challenges they may encounter off the field.

With Riise and a team of mental health professionals on staff, the organization is well-equipped to support players in achieving peak performance both mentally and physically.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*