Bears running backs coach Joe Pendry is expected to be named offensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers in the next few days.
The expansion Panthers plan to name Pittsburgh Steelers assistant Dom Capers their first head coach this weekend. Pendry, who denied receiving any contact from Carolina immediately following the Bears season, has been the leading candidate the last few weeks to take the Panthers’ offensive coordinator post.
Pendry, 47, joined the Bears as running backs coach when Dave Wannstedt took over for Mike Ditka in 1993. Before that, Pendry was the offensive coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs for four years.
Pendry would become the first defection from Wannstedt’s staff. Offensive coordinator Ron Turner was courted by Stanford to succeed Bill Walsh as head coach, but Minnesota Vikings running backs coach Tyrone Willingham was hired.
