A commissioner within the college football ranks has emerged as a top candidate in the Chicago Bears search for their next head of football operations.

Former NFL executive and current Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren is a finalist for the president/CEO position with the Bears, according to a report from ESPN.

The franchise began a search for a new president after longtime executive Ted Phillips announced in September that he intends to retire at the end of this season.

The Bears have already conducted an interview with Warren and he is considered a "strong candidate," the report mentioned.