The Chicago Bears named New Orleans Saints director of player personnel Ryan Pace general manager on Thursday.
As director of player personnel for the last two seasons, Pace assisted executive vice president/general manager Mickey Loomis in overseeing the Saints' college and pro scouting departments, evaluating college prospects and NFL veterans.
Pace worked his way up through the Saints organization starting in 2001, assisting in coordination of game day, training camp and stadium operations.
After two years as a scouting assistant, Pace was promoted to a pro scout position from 2004-06 where he evaluated free agents and scouted the Saints' opponents.
From 2007-12, Pace was New Orleans' director of pro scouting. In addition to directing advance scouting, he oversaw the pro scouting staff, evaluating the Saints' roster and players around the league to recommend acquisitions.
While Pace worked in New Orleans' personnel department, the Saints enjoyed their most success in team history, reaching the playoffs five times and winning their only Super Bowl in 2010.
Pace will replace Phil Emery who was fired by the Bears after three seasons. In that time, Chicago owned a 23-25 record and did not make the postseason. One of Pace's first orders of business will be finding a new head coach after the team also cut ties with Marc Trestman after two seasons.
Born in Flower Mound, Texas, Pace played defensive end at Eastern Illinois for four seasons.
[SportsNetwork.com]
