Chicago Bears Head Coach Search: Latest Rumors, Speculation on Vacant Position
Published by Matt Fitzgerald on December 29, 2014
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are looking for a new head coach after firing Marc Trestman the day after the season ended. Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase, Dan Quinn, Gary Kubiak and Mike Shanahan are names that have been linked to the role. Former Bills head coach Doug Marrone is also a candidate, while Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio has also been mentioned.
Continue for updates.
Bears Not Interested in Rex Ryan
Saturday, Jan. 3
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio has the latest on the Bears’ search:
Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the Bears have no interest in Rex.
It’s unclear why the Bears aren’t interested. Former Colts, Browns, and Giants G.M. Ernie Accorsi has been working as a consultant, and it’s possible Accorsi has advised against Buddy’s son. Regardless, Rex won’t be the coach of the Bears, barring a dramatic change of heart.
Bears Interview Quinn, Gase
Saturday, Jan. 3
Zach Zaidman of WSCR670 in Chicago provides an update on the Bears’ search for a head coach:
Del Rio Could be Bears Target
Jason LaCanfora of CBS Sports has an update on a new target for the Bears:
Bears to Interview Marrone
Thursday, Jan. 1
Brian Costello of the New York Post reports that a new candidate has entered the fray for the Bears’ coaching job, in former Bills head coach Doug Marrone:
The Jets are scheduled to speak with former Bills coach Doug Marrone about their head coaching opening on either Sunday or Monday, according to a league source.
Marrone, who opted out of his deal with Buffalo on Wednesday night, also has interviews lined up with the Falcons and Bears, according to the source.
Bears Will Interview Quinn and Gase
Wednesday, Dec. 31
Albert Breer of NFL Network provides an update on the Bears’ pursuit of a new head coach:
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reveals another candidate who will be interviewed this week:
Bears Eye Kubiak as Potential Candidate
Dan Pompei of SportsOnEarth provides an update on the Bears’ pursuit of a new head coach:
Bears Will Hire GM Before Coach
Tuesday, Dec. 30
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, the Bears plan on hiring their new front office executive before they bring in a new coach:
Bears Request Permission to Interview Gase
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport provides an update on the Bears’ head coach search:
Bears Begin Coach Search After Firing Trestman
Monday, Dec. 29
The Chicago Bears wasted no time in cleaning house, firing head coach Marc Trestman and general manager Phil Emery on Monday, per the team’s official website.
Bears quarterback Jay Cutler lobbied for his former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan to be Trestman’s successor on the sidelines in the Windy City. Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times reported what Cutler had to say:
[Shanahan is] a heck of a coach. He deserves to be a coach somewhere. He’s out of the game so I’m sure he is looking to coach somewhere. My three years with him were very, very enjoyable. He does a great job of leading teams, on and off the field, and offensively he knows how to get it done.
A source told Jahns that Shanahan has interest in being the next Bears coach, as he has ties to the Chicago area.
However, according to Bleacher Report insider Jason Cole, the San Francisco 49ers are also mulling the possibility of courting Shanahan:
Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports 1 reported the status of the team’s remaining coaching staff, citing team president and CEO Ted Phillips:
The Bears provided additional details on their coach search:
Trestman wasn’t given much time to build a contender. The NFL on ESPN notes how comparatively brief his time with the Bears was:
Shanahan guided the Broncos to two Super Bowls, so he’d bring instant credibility to the sidelines in Chicago.
It comes as little surprise that Shanahan is reportedly drawing interest from multiple suitors, with Chicago being one of them. Cutler has been through a lot of different systems with the Bears, and amid a regime change, bringing in a coach he has familiarity with would be an ideal scenario.
If the Bears want to maximize their huge investment in Cutler as franchise quarterback, there are few better candidates than Shanahan to help Cutler realize his potential.
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