How Matt Eberflus collected ideas from his mentors — and parents — during a 30-year journey to become Chicago Bears coach

Matt Eberflus sometimes likes to dust off a Lou Holtz quote that he has kept in mind during his 30-year career climb to become the Chicago Bears head coach.

“You improve yourself by the people you meet and the books you read,” Eberflus said, paraphrasing the Hall of Famer.

One version of Holtz’s quote also includes “the dreams you dream.” That part has been clear to Eberflus for a long time.

It first occurred to him in high school that he would like to be a coach when two assistants took a special interest in helping Eberflus, then a safety, learn the linebacker position. Since that realization, he has gathered information along the way from successful mentors: High expectations from Nick Saban. Establishing an identity from Gary Pinkel. Teaching players from Rod Marinelli.

Eberflus stowed away principles, skills and concepts so that when the Bears hired him in January to be the 17th head coach in franchise history, he knew how he wanted to run his team.

In the months leading up to the opening of training camp last week, Eberflus revealed himself as a serious, CEO-style leader whose emphasis on effort is clear. People who know him well start by mentioning his intensity but also say he is caring, honest, detailed and mentally quick, all traits they hope will help him succeed in a place where few coaches have over the last four decades.

“I’ve been around to see guys when they’re prepared for the job,” Marinelli told the Tribune. “He’s prepared in all areas. His intelligence, he can flip over to offense and really understand it. And he’s a head football coach — not the defensive coordinator. He’s not calling (plays). He’s coaching the morale of the team. He’s coaching the standards of the team, the effort of the team and what it’s