Eric Studesville returns to the Chicago Bears in 2026 as Running Backs Coach.
A 29-year NFL coaching veteran, Studesville returns to Chicago after spending the last eight seasons with the Miami Dolphins (2018-25), most recently serving as Associate Head Coach / Running Backs Coach for each of the last eight years. Prior to his tenure in Miami, Studesville helped lead running back groups for the Denver Broncos (2010-17), Buffalo Bills (2004-09) and New York Giants (2001-03), initially entering the league in an Offensive Quality Control capacity with the Bears, spending four seasons in Chicago (1997-2000).
Over the last eight seasons with Miami (2018-25), Studesville, who held Associate Head Coach responsibilities the last four seasons, has led a Dolphins running back corps that featured two 1,000-yard rushers – De'Von Achane in 2025 and Raheem Mostert in 2023. Achane accumulated the fifth-most rushing yards in the NFL in 2025 (1,350), as Mostert's 1,012 rushing yards in 2023 helped Miami claim the league's No. 3-ranked rushing offense (135.8 rushing yards per game).
Before his time with Miami, Studesville spent eight seasons in Denver (2010-17), serving primarily as the Running Backs Coach, adding the title of Assistant Head Coach in 2017. Studesville served as interim Head Coach for the Broncos for the final four games of the 2010 season. Studesville contributed to two Super Bowl apperances in Denver, including a victory in Super Bowl 50. Denver had a running back reach 1,000 scrimmage yards in five different seasons under Studesville, including Pro Bowlers Willis McGahee (2011) and C.J. Anderson (2014) who became just the fifth undrafted running back to make the Pro Bowl in NFL history.
Prior to Miami, Studesville spent six seasons in Buffalo (2004-09) as Running Backs Coach, taking on Run Game Coordinator responsibilities for the Bills in his final two seasons. He oversaw a 1,000-yard rusher in five of his six seasons. Before going to Buffalo, Studesville was the Running Backs Coach for the Giants for three seasons (2001-03), leading Tiki Barber to back-to-back 1,200+ yard rushing seasons, including in 2002 when Barber rushed for 1,387 yards, at the time ranking as the second-most rushing yards in a season in Giants history.
Studesville entered the NFL coaching ranks in 1997 with Chicago, spending four seasons with the Bears (1997-00) as an Offensive Quality Control Coach. Studesville came to the NFL after seven years in the college ranks, including stops at Kent State University (1995-96), Wingate University (1994), The University of North Carolina (1992-93) and The University of Arizona (1991), primarily coaching the secondary.
A Madison, Wis., native, Studesville played defensive back for Division III Wisconsin–Whitewater and went on to earn a master's degree in exercise physiology from the University of Arizona.
Studesville and his wife, Staci, have one daughter, Sydni, and a son, Eric Jr.
