Chicago Bears Coaching Search: Here Are the Top Candidates LATEST REPORT
Published by Bob Warja on January 6, 2013
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
UPDATE #4: According to this report, the Bears interviewed Dave Toub on Monday, though I still don’t think he’s a serious candidate.
UPDATE #3: Brad Biggs on Twitter announcers two new candidates: Mike Singletary and Vikings special teams coach Mike Priefer. Singletary is believed to be a favor for the McCaskeys, and he is the first defensive oriented candidate. Meanwhile, Arians remains in the hospital, will Emery wait for him?
UPDATE #2: ESPN’s Adam Shefter has sources stating that the Bears will also interview Seahawks OC Darrell Bevel. So this list has now grown to eight top candidates. Bevell has been with Seattle for two seasons, after spending five years as the Vikings OC. He also spent six seasons with Green Bay, so he is a familiar sight for the Bears.
UPDATE: ESPN’s Adam Shefter is reporting that the Bears will interview Houston Texans OC Rick Dennison. He is a very interesting candidate because he was the OC at Denver when Jay Cutler had his best season. He must be considered a top candidate now.
I’ve been updating a running article listing the status of all of the potential and real candidates for the Chicago Bears‘ head-coaching job, based on my wishes as well as what the media has been reporting.
I will continue updating that article, but of the candidates listed, I have broken down the list to the following six candidates who I currently feel have the best chance to end up coaching the Bears.
Now, as a disclaimer, you should know that new candidates may emerge and as teams fall out of the playoff race, existing candidates become much more approachable, so Chicago GM Phil Emery may be able to get a second interview with some of his favorites.
That said, let’s list the top six candidates, along with what I know about each.
Tom Clements
The Green Bay Packers‘ offensive coordinator was on Lovie Smith’s list for the offensive coordinator position that eventually went to Mike Martz, but the Packers denied the Bears’ request to interview him.
But now the Packers cannot do so, as this would be a promotion for Clements.
I have serious doubts about his candidacy, mainly because this is his first season as an offensive coordinator, plus head coach Mike McCarthy is the one who calls the plays for the Packers.
I don’t think he is the best candidate for the Bears job, because he is not a vocal guy, has only been an OC for one season and does not appear to be someone who fits Emery’s personality profile.
Mike McCoy
Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy is the hottest coordinator commodity on the market, so there is plenty of competition for his services. I would be shocked if he doesn’t end up with one of the head-coaching jobs out there.
That said, will Emery be able to make him an offer before he signs with another team? That’s assuming that Emery wants him, which is not certain, especially considering the wide net that he is casting in is search.
McCoy seemingly worked wonders with Kyle Orton in Denver, and he has interviewed with Oakland and Miami previously.
Mike Sullivan
Sullivan jumped to the top of the list when it was reported (via Chicago Sun-Times) that his interview, which had been scheduled for three hours, was extended to six hours.
He has worked with Eli Manning and Josh Freeman. While Manning won a Super Bowl under his tutelage, Freeman has struggled.
The thing we don’t know without insight into the interviews is which candidate can command a room and deal with the media well. That seems to be one of the main criteria that Emery is looking for in his next head coach.
Joe DeCamillis
Special teams coaches seem to be good candidates because they work with the entire roster and have to deal with the loss of key personnel and make changes on the fly.
It appears that Emery wants a fresh start, which may explain why current Bears special teams coach Dave Toub has not yet been mentioned as a candidate, but DeCamillis is the second known special teams candidate that Emery has interviewed.
From what I’ve learned, DeCamillis is a very outspoken guy who would seemingly fit Emery’s criteria of handling a room.
Bruce Arians
Unlike the others, Arians has experience as a head coach, having had to take over in Indy for cancer-striken head coach Chuck Pagano.
He is older than the other guys, and Emery did say that energy would be a factor in his selection, but you can’t argue with his success.
As another candidate who is in demand, I feel he is less likely to get the Bears job than the others. But I could be wrong. Personally, I like him a lot, though again, I cannot interview him.
Pete Carmichael
The New Orleans Saints’ offensive coordinator interviewed with Emery on Thursday. He is only 41, and has been the Saints‘ offensive coordinator since 2009.
With head coach Sean Payton suspended, Carmichael assumed the play-calling duties this season. Under his direction, the Saints ranked second in the league in average yards per game.
It is clear that Carmichael is a good offensive mind, but is he ready to be a head coach?
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As for other candidates, as I wrote, new ones are emerging all the time and are captured here. Other guys, such as CFL head coach Marc Trestman, have not made it into my top six, but who is to say that Emery won’t pick him?
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