Football
- Title:
- Offensive Coordinator
- Email:
- jb094@bucknell.edu
RECRUITING AREAS: Florida, Washington, Oregon, Missouri, Illinois, Southern Chicago
John Bear was named the Bucknell football team's offensive coordinator in January 2023. Bear brings 17 years of coaching experience to Lewisburg, including nine seasons at the FBS and FCS levels.
Bear has coached at seven collegiate institutions throughout his reputable career and has worked with every position group on the offensive side of the ball. He's overseen the development of seven All-Americans and four NFL players, and he's helped guide several programs to record-setting offensive seasons.
Most recently, Bear served as offensive coordinator at Southeastern University during the 2022 season after being elevated from passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Under his direction, the Fire captured a Sun Division championship title with an 8-3 record in 2021 and improved their scoring offense by 10 points per game the following year. Bear also coached All-Sun quarterback Kaylan Wiggins last season.
Bear has prior experience coaching in the Patriot League, having spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Georgetown. While in the nation's capital, he coached the Hoyas' tight ends, running backs, wide receivers and punt return/punt block units.
Bear was part of the 2018 Georgetown team that finished runner-up in the Patriot League while setting the school record for league wins in a season. In 2019 he helped the offense set program records for yards per game, rushing yards per game and sacks allowed. Additionally, he coached All-Patriot League tight end Isaac Schley and All-Patriot League wide receiver Michael Dereus.
"I am excited to announce the addition of John Bear to our coaching staff. Coach Bear has a long history of making the programs he is associated with better," said Cecchini. "His offenses have put up some incredible numbers, and his time spent at Georgetown gives him a deep understanding of Patriot League football. John will be a great fit with both our team culture, as well as our student-athletes."
At the FBS level, Bear spent the 2011 and 2012 seasons as an offensive graduate assistant coach at Akron working under AFCA and SEC Coach of the Year Terry Bowden.
In his first collegiate coaching stop, Bear was an offensive assistant at Liberty from 2006 to 2008. He worked with the offensive line and running backs and saw the Flames finish 10th in the nation in total offense as well as top-20 in scoring. In his final season the Flames finished 10-2 and ranked No. 12 in FCS.
Bear has also spent time at the Division III level coaching at the University of Chicago, North Park University and Emory & Henry College. During his 2016 season at Chicago, the Maroons set the all-time NCAA record for offensive plays in a game with 123 and broke 36 school records, as the passing offense finished fourth in NCAA Division III.
In his first season as offensive coordinator at North Park, Bear orchestrated an incredible offensive turnaround that saw the team dramatically improve its scoring and win its first conference game in 13 seasons. His offenses set nine single-season passing records and numerous single-game records. He coached a First Team All-Conference quarterback and wide receiver, and North Park received its first-ever College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Coach of the Year award.
Originally from Shoreline, Wash., Bear played offensive line at King's High School and went on to become a three-year starter and senior captain at Trinity International University. He earned his bachelor's degree in sports management in 2006.
