Bears Owner Virginia McCaskey Dies At 102
The Bears’ matriarch has passed away. The team announced on Thursday that owner Virginia McCaskey has died at the age of 102. 
McCaskey’s father, George Halas, purchased the franchise in 1920 and participated in the meeting which founded the American Professional Football Association (later renamed to the National Football League). He remained the Bears’ controlling owner until his passing in 1983. At that point, McCaskey inherited the franchise.
Early in McCaskey’s time at the helm of the Bears, they won what stands to this day as their only Super Bowl title. She was still working as the team’s principal owner (a role which included voting on behalf of 13 family members on the board of directors) when Chicago most recently made it to the Super Bowl (2006). It is unclear at this point how the board will take shape moving forward as it pertains to the 80% ownership stake the McCaskey family represents.
“While we are sad, we are comforted knowing Virginia Halas McCaskey lived a long, full, faith-filled life and is now with the love of her life on Earth [late husband Ed McCaskey],” a family statement reads in part. “She guided the Bears for four decades and based every business decision on what was best for Bears players, coaches, staff and fans. Over the last 41-plus years, Mrs. McCaskey continued the steadfast mission set forth by her father to uphold the values of the City of Chicago, its people and its fans.”
George McCaskey took on the role of chairman in 2011, and he remains in that position to this day. With respect to day-to-day operations, president/CEO Kevin Warren has been at the helm since the start of last season, and that will remain the case moving forward. The Bears’ front office structure will see head coach Ben Johnson report to general manager Ryan Poles, who will in turn report to Warren.
Overall, McCaskey’s life spanned eight of Chicago’s nine NFL championships and her mark on the franchise is unquestionable. In recent years, George has made it clear the franchise is set to remain in the family moving forward, so continuity at the ownership level should be expected in the wake of his mother’s passing.
NFC North Notes: Lions, Bears, Pack, Vikes
The Lions are hiring former NFL quarterback Bruce Gradkowski as an offensive assistant, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Originally a Buccaneers sixth-round pick in 2006, Gradkowski bounced between six different teams in his career, finishing with 37 total appearances and 20 starts. He briefly coached at the high school level before joining the XFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks as offensive coordinator in 2022.
The Battlehawks’ passing offense have generally been successful under Gradkowski. Ex-Alabama star A.J. McCarron ranked first in passing yards and second in touchdowns in 2023. After the XFL’s merger with the USFL, former Iowa State receiver Hakeem Butler led the newly formed UFL in receiving yards on his way to Offensive Player of the Year honors.
Given his playing and coaching history, Gradkowski’s role in Detroit will likely focus on their passing offense as the Lions attempt to reload their staff after it was pilfered by other NFL teams during this year’s hiring cycle.
- The Lions will also be working to retain their pending free agents, including defensive linemen Levi Onwuzurike and Marcus Davenport. The team has discussed returns with both players, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, with Davenport saying after the season that he wanted to stay in Detroit. Onwuzarike has already engaged in discussions about a deal, with Birkett adding the sides talked about a second contract previously. Davenport has missed most of the past two seasons, and his loss hurt a Lions defense that played without Aidan Hutchinson for much the season as well.
- Lions general manager Brad Holmes is not planning to have the same aggressive approach as his former boss, Rams GM Les Snead. Holmes does not believe the Lions have an expiring Super Bowl window and said that he will “stay committed to the process,” according to Birkett.
- The Bears made a trio of hires to Ben Johnson’s coaching staff this week. Dan Roushar will be the team’s new offensive line coach after holding the same position at Tulane for the past two seasons, according to the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs. Former Colts linebackers coach Richard Smith and ex-Jaguars defensive line coach Jeremy Garrett will join the Bears in the same roles, per Biggs and Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports.
- The Packers will promote Sean Duggan to linebackers coach to replace new Jaguars DC Anthony Campanile, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Duggan has spent the last five seasons under Packers DC Jeff Hafley, four at Boston College as linebackers coach and one in Green Bay as a defensive assistant.
- Vikings wide reciver Jordan Addison pled not guilty to two misdemeanor DUI charges dating back to a July 2024 arrest in Los Angeles, per ESPN’s Kevin Seifert. Addison did not receive any punishment from the NFL for the incident, but could face a fine or suspension after legal proceedings conclude.
Bears Expected To Extend GM Ryan Poles; Team Authorizes Upper-Crust HC Salary For Ben Johnson
Going 0-for-3 in winning seasons as Bears GM, Ryan Poles nevertheless received a vote of confidence from team president Kevin Warren. The third-year Bears honcho installed Poles as the leader of the HC search process, doing so shortly after the club’s decision to can Matt Eberflus.
Poles arrived in Chicago two days before the Bears hired Eberflus. This gave the ex-Chiefs exec say in whom the Bears hired, albeit without him running the 2022 search. As such, Poles will be more closely tied to his second HC hire. The Bears’ latest HC add comes with much greater fanfare compared to Eberflus, and due to the demand Ben Johnson created, a high salary will come with it.
The Bears signed off on a $13MM-per-year deal for Johnson, according to ESPN.com’s Courtney Cronin. That AAV more than doubles Eberflus’, with Cronin placing that at $6MM. While three AFC West coaches (Andy Reid, Sean Payton, Jim Harbaugh) are out-earning Johnson, not many others are. With coaching salaries not tied to the cap, teams are not required to make them public. But Johnson’s money likely checks in as a top-10 HC salary. It came after the Bears won a bidding war of sorts.
Johnson, 38, received extensive interest from the Jaguars and Raiders. While Mark Davis said the Raiders never made an offer, they were linked to preparing a big-ticket HC contract to add the successful Lions OC. The Jaguars also were believed to have Johnson atop their list. Trent Baalke‘s presence impeded Jacksonville — though, Johnson was believed to have stopped short of asking the Jaguars to move on from their then-GM — while Tom Brady‘s Raiders sales pitch could not match what the Bears presented.
That said, the two coaches Las Vegas and Jacksonville did ultimately hire — Liam Coen, Pete Carroll — will not have holdover GMs. The Jags are still searching — for an exec Coen will need to approve — while the Raiders hired ex-Buccaneers assistant GM John Spytek. Johnson will work with Poles, but Cronin adds the high-end play-caller did not call for the Bears to start fresh at GM. Furthermore, Poles is likely to receive an extension that aligns with Johnson’s deal.
As it stands, Poles is signed through the 2026 season. However, Cronin adds the Bears are expected to authorize an extension to align Poles with Johnson. This will be a significant development for Poles, who is 15-36 as a GM. The Bears gave Poles’ predecessor — Ryan Pace — more time (seven seasons), and his first playoff berth did not come until his fourth season. Pace’s second HC hire (Matt Nagy) was responsible for that, after John Fox preceded Eberflus in going 0-for-3 in postseason appearances in Chicago.
The Bears gave Pace an extension during his fourth GM offseason as well, aligning him with Nagy. Although Warren is a new piece to this puzzle, a Poles deal coming this offseason would be quite similar to the Bears’ previous front office timeline.
Poles, 39, has certainly not been the most successful member of the 2022 GM hiring class. Neither Kwesi Adofo-Mensah nor Omar Khan has received an extension yet, despite two playoff berths occurring on their respective watches. The Giants have retained Joe Schoen, though he has also not received an extension and will enter 2025 on a hot seat. The Raiders fired Dave Ziegler midway through his second season. Poles beating his group to an extension would be surprising, but Pace’s tenure shows the Bears giving their GMs more time than HCs to turn the operation around.
An extension certainly does not make a GM bulletproof, as the 2022 ouster of Jon Robinson (Titans) and 2023 dismissal of Steve Keim (Cardinals) show. But a second contract will obviously prove financially beneficial for Poles. The Bears were able to land the biggest fish in this year’s coaching pool, however, and Poles would appear to be receiving tremendous credit for it. How Johnson fares with Caleb Williams will define Poles’ GM tenure in Chicago, but the young exec may not be facing a situation where he is on a particularly hot seat going into his fourth season.
Bears Could Attempt To Work Out Kyler Gordon Extension This Offseason
Last offseason, one of the Bears’ top priorities was working out a deal with cornerback Jaylon Johnson. After applying the franchise tag, a four-year, $76MM extension was signed; 2025 could see another long-term commitment made at the position. 
As a 2022 draftee, Kyler Gordon is now eligible for a new deal. He is still attached to his rookie contract for 2025, but without a fifth-year option being in place, it would be feasible for the Bears to negotiate an extension this spring. Indeed, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune writes it would not come as a surprise if Gordon were to be among the team’s top financial priorities.
The 25-year-old has started 34 of his 42 games with Chicago, operating as a key figure in the team’s secondary. Gordon has settled into a full-time role as slot corner, and he has amassed 17 pass deflections and five interceptions during his three years in the league. While high-end producers on the perimeter have landed lucrative deals in recent years, the top of the market for slot CBs has not enjoyed the same forward momentum. Gordon – who has played all-but exclusively on the inside the past two seasons – could look to close the gap on an extension.
“That [pay difference] is crazy because to me I feel like I play three positions, really four positions almost,” the former second-rounder said. “I feel like I play linebacker, safety, nickel and corner. It’s crazy to think that doesn’t get incorporated. That’s just what the business is.”
11 corners (including Johnson) are currently averaging at least $19MM per season on their contracts. With respect to players who primarily (or entirely) play in the slot, though, the top of the market is $10.25MM. That is the average annual value of Michael Carter II and Taron Johnson‘s extensions signed last year with the Jets and Bills, respectively. As a result, any new Gordon pact will likely check in near that figure.
Chicago already has Johnson in place as a long-term commitment, and safety Jaquan Brisker is also eligible for an extension. Tyrique Stevenson, meanwhile, will be in the same position one year from now, so the Bears’ secondary will soon become much more expensive if it is to remain intact beyond the next few seasons. A key factor in determining whether or not that will be the case will of course be how the team proceeds with Gordon.
Jaguars Request GM Interviews With Four Executives
The Jaguars aren’t wasting any time finding a new general manager. Shortly after news broke of their interview request with Buccaneers assistant general manager Mike Greenberg, we learned that the team requested interviews with four other executives. That grouping includes Chargers assistant GM Chad Alexander (via ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler), Giants assistant GM Brandon Brown (via CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones), Bengals senior personnel executive Trey Brown (via Fowler), and Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham (via TheMMQB’s Albert Breer).
[RELATED: Jaguars Request GM Interview With Buccaneers Exec Mike Greenberg]
Alexander was a long-time Ravens staffer, with the executive spending two decades with the organization. He worked his way up to assistant director of pro personnel, a gig he held for his final nine years in Baltimore. When all was said and done, he ended up earning a pair of Super Bowl rings during his stint with the organization. He’s most recently bounced around the league, including jobs working under Joe Douglas with the Jets and Joe Hortiz with the Chargers. Alexander was a finalist for the Raiders GM opening earlier this offseason.
Brandon Brown was also a finalist for that job in Las Vegas, and he interview for jobs with the Chargers and Panthers last offseason. The executive made a name for himself in Philadelphia, where he worked his way up from assistant director of pro scouting to director of player personnel. He took his talents to New York in 2022, where he’s spent the past three seasons working as the assistant general manager under Joe Schoen.
Trey Brown cut his teeth in the scouting ranks, spending time in the Patriots and Eagles front offices. After a three-year term as Philly’s director of college scouting, Brown spent a few years leading his own front office with the Birmingham Iron (AAF) and St. Louis BattleHawks (XFL). When those leagues folded, the executive took a scouting job with the Bengals, and he was promoted to a senior personnel executive role in 2022.
Cunningham started his front office career with the Ravens before joining the Eagles as their director of college scouting in 2017. He climbed the ranks to director of player personnel before taking an assistant GM job with the Bears in 2022. He’s spent the past three seasons in Chicago, although he’s flirted with promotions over the past two years. He was a finalist for the Commanders job last year, and he’s also been connected to jobs with the Chargers and Titans.
Cunningham was one of the initial names to be connected to the Jaguars job, along with former Titans GM Jon Robinson and Greenberg. While Liam Coen has a major say in who will run Jacksonville’s front office, Jones notes that the new GM will be considered the “primary football executive.” This means the eventual front office leader won’t answer to VP of Football Operations Tony Boselli, who the team officially hired earlier today.
Chiefs RG Trey Smith In Line For Market-Topping Deal; Bears Could Have Interest
Per ESPN’s Matt Bowen, multiple teams believe Chiefs right guard Trey Smith is the best player eligible for free agency in March (subscription required). That adds even more credence to the November reports suggesting Smith could become the league’s highest-paid interior blocker if he were to hit the open market.
In the estimation of SI.com’s Albert Breer, it will be difficult for Kansas City to prevent Smith from testing the FA waters. After all, fellow O-linemen Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, and Jawaan Taylor are already attached to high-end contracts, and sources tell Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune the Chiefs are unlikely to move on from Thuney. In addition, CB Trent McDuffie and edge defender George Karlaftis are extension-eligible for the first time, and the league’s current preeminent franchise is already projected to be close to the 2025 salary cap. Since Smith’s franchise tag number would check in at roughly $25MM for the upcoming season with a corresponding cap hit, that is likely not a feasible option (the transition tag would not be much cheaper).
Even though Breer says it would not be surprising to see the club part ways with Taylor, only a trade would lead to any 2025 cap savings (and given Taylor’s $19.5MM base pay in each of the next two seasons and his generally underwhelming performance as a member of the Chiefs, it is difficult to envision much of a trade market forming). That said, Smith is one of GM Brett Veach’s most notable draft triumphs, as the former sixth-rounder has become one of the game’s best all-around guards with a 75.1% run-block win rate in 2024 (h/t Bowen) and a 95.6% pass-block win rate since entering the league in 2021 (h/t ESPN’s Dan Graziano (subscription required)).
So, in light of KC’s struggles at the tackle spots, and since Thuney is under contract for just one more year, Veach may try to find a way to keep Smith on the roster. Indeed, Graziano believes the GM will do just that, and he predicts the Chiefs will authorize a five-year, $105MM accord ($65MM guaranteed) for the Tennessee product. The $21MM average annual value on such a deal would match Eagles LG Landon Dickerson’s at the top of the guard market, while the guaranteed money would represent a new high-water mark for guards.
If the Chiefs are unable to come to terms with Smith during their exclusive negotiating window, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (in the same Bowen piece linked above) names the Bears as a team to watch. Chicago GM Ryan Poles was on Veach’s KC staff when Smith was drafted, and one of Poles’ top priorities this offseason will be addressing the interior of his O-line.
Biggs adds that it would be unsurprising to see the Bears becoming a serious suitor for Smith should the Chiefs decline to pay up for him. And, as one GM told Biggs, “[Smith] just might get to free agency. The $20 million guard thing really scares some teams. Teams have seen how the top guard have been paid, and some of them, they don’t want to go there.”
Biggs does say a tag-and-trade involving Smith is a possible outcome. The Chiefs are plenty familiar with that process, having tagged CB L’Jarius Sneed last March before trading him to the Titans a few weeks later.
NFC Coaching Notes: Cowboys, Saints, Bucs, Hall, Panthers, 49ers, Cards, Bears
The Cowboys are looking to the college level to fill their running backs coaching position; both candidates have histories in Dallas. The team turned to one of its former running backs — Tashard Choice — as a recent interviewee, All DLLS’ Clarence Hill notes. Choice is the Texas Longhorns’ RBs coach, having held that job for the past three seasons. A Cowboys running back from 2008-11, Choice wrapped his playing career after the 2013 season. He spent the 2016 campaign as a Cowboys intern. The team is also interviewing Oregon RBs coach Ra’Shaad Samples for the job, per the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Nick Harris. Staples is a Dallas native who coached in the area while at SMU from 2019-21; his interview went well, per Hill. The one-year Ducks assistant is best known in NFL circles for being the Rams’ RBs coach in 2022; he left for an Arizona State assistant job before that season ended.
Here is the latest from the NFC side of the coaching carousel:
- The Buccaneers are backing up the report they were ready to block Liam Coen from poaching assistants. After blocking O-line coach Kevin Carberry from meeting with the Jaguars, the Bucs are preventing assistant O-line coach Brian Picucci from doing the same, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. This one is a bit more interesting, as Picucci followed Coen from Kentucky to Tampa Bay. NFL rules allow teams to block contracted assistants from moves if they do not involve a promotion to head coach or coordinator. Coen left the Bucs after avoiding contact with high-ranking staffers, and GM Jason Licht is not believed to be too happy with the exit.
- Another Bucs staffer who will remain in place: Larry Foote. The linebackers coach interviewed for the Lions’ DC job, being the team’s only outside candidate before a Kelvin Sheppard promotion, but will not leave for a job anywhere else. Foote told the Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud he is staying. The former linebacker has enjoyed a long assistant tenure with the Bucs; this will be his seventh season with the team.
- DeAngelo Hall‘s stint on the Panthers‘ staff is over, per the Charlotte Observer’s Mike Kaye. The team had hired the former Pro Bowl cornerback as assistant DBs coach during Frank Reich‘s months-long HC stint. Hall, however, could land on his feet soon. The 49ers are interviewing him for their DBs coach position, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo adds. Hall and Kyle Shanahan overlapped for four seasons in Washington during the early 2010s.
- Moving back to the Cowboys, their Klayton Adams OC hire did not surprise the Cardinals. But the NFC West team was monitoring a potential relocation to New Orleans as well. The Cards expected their previous O-line coach to join Brian Schottenheimer or follow Kellen Moore to the Saints, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler tweets. Moore has not taken the New Orleans job yet, but he is the favorite. Both Moore and Adams are Boise State alums, though their Idaho stays did not overlap.
- Elsewhere on Arizona’s staff, the team has identified new line coaches. Justin Frye is coming aboard as O-line coach, and Winston DeLattiboudere is heading to the desert as D-line coach, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and 247 Sports’ Matt Zenitz and Ryan Burns report. DeLattiboudere comes over from the University of Minnesota and is rising fast; we have a Gen Z coach here, as the two-year Golden Gophers D-line coach is 27. He spent the 2022 season with the Packers as a Bill Walsh diversity coaching fellow. Frye has considerably more experience and is coming off three seasons as Ohio State’s O-line coach. The Bears interviewed Frye for their O-line job. The ex-Chip Kelly assistant is also not following his two-time boss (also at UCLA) to Las Vegas, being set to camp elsewhere in the desert.
- The Bears are still working on filling out Ben Johnson‘s staff. They interviewed Florida assistant Gerald Chatman for the D-line coach position, Zenitz adds. A Bengals defensive assistant from 2019-20, Chatman spent the 2024 season at Florida.
Bears To Hire Eric Bieniemy
Eric Bieniemy is set to return to the NFL. The Bears are hiring him as their running backs coach, as first reported by CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones. 
Bieniemy was out of the NFL in 2024, working as UCLA’s offensive coordinator. He and the team parted ways after a single season (in which the team’s offense did not produce as expected), however, opening the door for another opportunity in the pro ranks. Indeed, it became clear in December Bieniemy was aiming for an NFL gig during the 2025 hiring cycle.
Since then, it has been learned the 55-year-old interviewed with the Patriots for their offensive coordinator gig. Interest from other teams was expected, and now the Bears are set to proceed with a hire. This will be Bieniemy’s first position other than OC since 2017, dating back to his time with the Chiefs.
After a five-year stint in that role, Bieniemy took on offensive coordinator duties in Kansas City. Although he did not call plays during that time, his work as OC drew praise with the team ranking between first and sixth in scoring each of the five seasons he was in that role. In 2023, Bieniemy took the Commanders’ coordinator gig (one which included play-calling duties) but his Sam Howell-led unit did not post strong numbers. Only one year removed from that showing, though, he has rebounded with a notable role on Ben Johnson‘s staff.
Johnson and Bieniemy have not worked together in the past, but the latter represents another experienced addition to the former’s initial Chicago staff. Former Jaguars OC Press Taylor will work as the Bears’ pass-game coordinator, giving them another veteran coach who has called plays in the past. First-time offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, along with Johnson (who will call plays) will have another experienced staffer to lean on in 2025.
In other Bears coaching news, Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports tight ends coach Jim Dray will be retained. As expected, several members of the previous staff – including interim head coach and defensive coordinator Eric Washington – were not kept in place upon Johnson’s arrival as head coach. With Dray sticking around, however, he will spent at least one season as part of Chicago’s new-look staff. The 38-year-old has been with the Bears since 2022.
NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 1/31/25
Coaching Rumors: Moore, Saints, Rizzi, Cowboys, Bears, Jets, Panthers, Hill, Raiders
With Mike McCarthy following Joe Brady and Kliff Kingsbury out of the Saints HC pursuit, Kellen Moore looms as the presumptive favorite. While SI.com’s Albert Breer agrees with that classification, he does not view Darren Rizzi as being out of the running. Rizzi interviewed for the position, though Mike Kafka and Anthony Weaver have conducted two interviews. Seeing the Saints lose some bigger names could influence them to revisit Rizzi as a viable candidate. While this would be an unorthodox move — both due to Rizzi’s interim status and background in special teams — it is fairly clear the New Orleans job is not viewed as particularly attractive right now.
If Rizzi does not land the job, a reunion with Sean Payton in Denver may await. Here is the latest out of the coaching ranks:
- The Jets hired Steve Wilks over Chris Harris for their DC post, but CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones notes that the latter should not be discounted from coming to New York as well. Harris has been a regular on the DC carousel in recent years, Harris stayed with the Titans despite the team firing Mike Vrabel. A role similar to what he holds in Tennessee, that of pass-game coordinator, could await in New York.
- Former Chargers DC Renaldo Hill is signing on with the Panthers, according to The Athletic’s Joe Person. This will mark a return to the league after a year off for the former NFL safety; he had previously worked as the Dolphins’ defensive pass-game coordinator under Vic Fangio. Although Person notes the Panthers have a safeties job available, Hill’s title is not known. Carolina is also adding Rams assistant AC Carter as their OLBs coach, the Charlotte Observer’s Mike Kaye adds. Carter has been the Rams’ assistant D-line coach for the past two years. He made his NFL debut as a Broncos quality control staffer under Ejiro Evero in 2022.
- The Bears spoke with Lunda Wells about a job recently, but the Cowboys are keeping him. Dallas has reached an extension to retain its tight ends coach, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter tweets. We heard earlier this week Brian Schottenheimer would likely keep Wells, who came over along with McCarthy in 2020.
- Elsewhere on the Chicago staff, the team interviewed Ohio State assistant Justin Frye for its O-line coach position, per the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs. Frye has only worked at the college level, topping out as UCLA’s OC under Chip Kelly. The former Bruins HC rejoined his ex-assistant at Ohio State last year; Frye has been coaching Buckeyes blockers since 2022, collecting a national championship ring this past season. Tulane O-line coach Dan Roushar is also expected to interview, Biggs adds. Roushar spent 10 seasons with the Saints (2013-22), before making an in-state move back to the college level.
- On the defensive side, the Bears are also making a move. Ben Johnson is adding Birmingham Stallions assistant Bill Johnson as his D-line coach, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. Johnson, 69, served as both an O-line and D-line coach with the USFL-then-UFL franchise. He has been out of the NFL since 2018, when he served as Rams D-line coach. He was on LSU’s national championship-winning staff in the same role a year later. Bill Johnson’s longest NFL stay came with New Orleans (2009-16), but he has nearly 20 years’ experience in the league.
- The Raiders made news Wednesday night by agreeing to keep Patrick Graham as DC; Pete Carroll will be Graham’s third HC in Las Vegas. More continuity is coming for a new regime still, with NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero adding the team is retaining special teams coordinator Tom McMahon. In coaching for more than 30 years, McMahon has served as ST coordinator for the Rams, Chiefs, Colts, Broncos and Raiders; he has been in Vegas since 2022.
- Northern Illinois HC Thomas Hammock is generating some looks from the NFL. At least three teams have reached out about a potential position coach role, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. Hammock has been the Northern Illinois leader since 2019 but previously enjoyed a stint as Ravens RBs coach. The Huskies picked up a signature win last season by upsetting Notre Dame.