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Dave Ragone '98 Promoted to Passing Game Coordinator with the Bears

By Joe Ginley '12 , 01/16/20, 12:30PM EST

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Ragone has mentored Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky.

The Chicago Bears think very highly of Dave Ragone '98. So it's no wonder that he's earned a promotion.

Ragone has been promoted from quarterbacks coach to passing game coordinator with the Bears.

Ragone joined the Bears' coaching staff in 2016. Over the past three seasons, Ragone has been working with quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. The former Mentor signalcaller enjoyed a Pro Bowl season in 2018, and notched an 8-7 record as the starter in 2019. Ragone has worked with head coach Matt Nagy for the last two seasons, making a great impression on the veteran coach.   

"Dave is phenomenal," said Offensive Coordinator Nick Restifo, Hon. 19. "He's a really smart coach. He picks things up really quickly. He'll do a great job."

During his time at Saint Ignatius, Ragone starred as a quarterback with the Football Cats and also played basketball. His classmates voted him as the 1997-98 Wirtz Athlete of the Year. 

Ragone was a great quarterback for the Wildcats. As a senior in 1997, Ragone threw for 2,827 passing yards (2nd all-time), 25 touchdown passes (tied for 5th all-time), and earning 1st Team All-Ohio honors. 

"He and I had a great relationship," said Restifo. "Dave was really special. He had a tough senior year with losing to Canton McKinley, but as a quarterback mind, he's unmatched. I was able to spend a lot of time with him when he was at John Carroll with Tom Arth. That was special for me. I really enjoyed picking his brain because he's advanced his knowledge over the years and he's always willing to share with me. We're really good friends."

After his days at Wildcat High, Ragone starred at the University of Louisville. The Houston Texans selected him in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft, and Ragone spent three seasons in the league.

After his playing days ended, Ragone coached Josh McCown with the Hartford Colonials of the United Football League in 2010 before being hired by the Tennessee Titans in 2011. Ragone spent three years with the Titans. In between NFL jobs, Ragone worked with the John Carroll University quarterbacks with Tom Arth '99. In 2015, Ragone was hired by the Washington Redskins as an offensive quality control coach. Then the Bears brought him aboard 2016. 

With the Bears, Ragone will work under newly-hired offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, who last worked as the OC for the Cincinnati Bengals. 

In the next few years, if Ragone keeps up his good work, you might see him advance up the NFL ladder to coordinator or even head coach.