<P> Lovie Smith , hired on January 15 , 2004 , is the third post-Ditka head coach . Joining the Bears as a rookie head coach , Smith brought the highly successful Tampa 2 defensive scheme with him to Chicago . Before his second season with the Bears , the team rehired their former offensive coordinator and then Illinois head coach Ron Turner to improve the Bears ' struggling offense . In 2005 , the Bears won their division and reached the playoffs for the first time in four years . Their previous playoff berth was earned by winning the NFC Central in 2001 . The Bears improved upon their success the following season , by clinching their second consecutive NFC North title during Week 13 of the 2006 season , winning their first playoff game since 1995 , and earning a trip to Super Bowl XLI . However , they fell short of the championship , losing 29 -- 17 to the Indianapolis Colts . Following the 2006 season , the club decided to give Smith a contract extension through 2011 , at roughly $5 million per year . This comes a season after being the lowest paid head coach in the National Football League . </P>
<P> Lovie Smith , hired on January 15 , 2004 , is the third post-Ditka head coach . Joining the Bears as a rookie head coach , Smith brought the highly successful Tampa 2 defensive scheme with him to Chicago . Before his second season with the Bears , the team rehired their former offensive coordinator and then Illinois head coach Ron Turner to improve the Bears ' struggling offense . In 2005 , the Bears won their division and reached the playoffs for the first time in four years . Their previous playoff berth was earned by winning the NFC Central in 2001 . The Bears improved upon their success the following season , by clinching their second consecutive NFC North title during Week 13 of the 2006 season , winning their first playoff game since 1995 , and earning a trip to Super Bowl XLI . However , they fell short of the championship , losing 29 -- 17 to the Indianapolis Colts . Following the 2006 season , the club decided to give Smith a contract extension through 2011 , at roughly $5 million per year . This comes a season after being the lowest paid head coach in the National Football League . </P>
when 's the last time the bears made the playoffs
when 's the last time the bears made the playoffs
2006
2006