[bears9]

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Bears on Wednesday promoted defensive assistants Lloyd Lee to linebackers coach and Gill Byrd to assistant defensive backs coach/safeties. The team also hired Eric Washington as a defensive assistant/defensive line.

Lee, 31, joined the Bears in 2004 as part of Lovie Smith’s original staff, serving as defensive quality control coach for two seasons. In 2007, Lee coached nickel backs after working in the same capacity while also assisting with linebackers in 2006.
“Lloyd has come through our system,” Smith said. “It’s a normal progression. Lloyd is extremely bright. He works hard, has energy. He has all the things you’re looking for in a coach.

“And this is what you would like. The perfect scenario would be for guys to come in as a defensive assistant, take a step up and they end up going where Lloyd has.”

Lee replaces Hardy Nickerson, who resigned last week after one season with the Bears to tend to family matters.
“I’m definitely excited about the opportunity,” Lee said. “It’s obviously an important position in our defense. I’m excited to take on the new role and just looking forward to working with the linebackers and helping our defense get back to where we’ve been in previous years.”
Lee arrived in Chicago following three seasons as a pro scout with the Buccaneers. While at Tampa Bay, he assisted the pro personnel department in the recruiting and signing of NFL free agents as well as scouting and compiling reports on free agents and Buccaneers players.

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