DBAHO Posted January 12, 2004 Share Posted January 12, 2004 Looks like it's gonna be Lovie Smith or Jim Fassel I think, Nobody can say the Bears haven't given their coaching search the old college try. California coach Jeff Tedford became the second college candidate in the same day to decline the Bears, two league sources said Sunday. Tedford informed the Bears on Saturday within hours of LSU coach Nick Saban rejecting general manager Jerry Angelo in Baton Rouge, La. The Bears reacted to Saban's decision by calling Tedford and arranging for him to fly to Halas Hall that night with the understanding that the head-coaching job was his if he wanted it, sources said. The second-year Cal coach had interviewed discreetly with Angelo last week when Angelo set up temporary headquarters in San Francisco, site of practice for the East-West Shrine Game. The meeting was said to have gone well, Tedford impressing Angelo with his charisma and knack for developing young quarterbacks such as Rex Grossman. Tedford, 42, earned a reputation over the last decade for having one of college football's most innovative minds. He had stints as offensive coordinator at Fresno State and Oregon before beginning the turnaround at Cal in 2002. He inherited a 1-10 team and has gone 15-11 in two seasons, including a victory over Virginia Tech in this season's Insight Bowl. Known as a quarterback specialist, Tedford has mentored first-round picks such as Trent Dilfer, David Carr, Akili Smith, Joey Harrington and Kyle Boller. But Tedford bypassed the chance to groom Grossman and coach the Bears, sources said, because he considers the college environment more comfortable and conducive to his lifestyle. California renegotiated Tedford's contract before last season to pay him a $1 million annual salary for the next five years, and it includes a buyout that would cost NFL teams $1 million. That was not said to be a factor in his decision as much as Tedford's desire to fulfill his responsibilities to players he recruited and let his two teenage sons finish high school in California. That shifts the Bears' focus to Steelers offensive line coach Russ Grimm and Rams defensive coordinator Lovie Smith as the coaching search begins its third week Monday. Grimm, a league source said, made plans to meet Angelo in the Chicago area and had risen near the top of the list, given the developments with Tedford and Saban. He never has worked as a coordinator at any level. But with 13 years' NFL coaching experience after an 11-year All-Pro career with the Redskins in which he won three Super Bowls, Grimm has such a good reputation that new Washington coach Joe Gibbs expressed interest in him as offensive coordinator within hours of taking the job. "I think it's nonsense that people think he can't be a head coach because he's never been a coordinator," said former Bears tackle Jim Covert, who was Grimm's roommate for road games at the University of Pittsburgh. "He has great credentials and would be just what the Bears need." Smith also may get to make his case in a second interview with Angelo, a league source said Sunday. Despite the Rams' defense giving up 29 points and the decisive play in Saturday's double-overtime loss to the Panthers, the Bears are said to consider Smith a viable option who two weeks ago was one of the hottest coaching candidates on the market. Former Giants coach Jim Fassel, on the other hand, isn't a hot candidate—at least not in Chicago. While Fassel remained hopeful late last week of getting back in the derby if Saban said no, the Bears figure to look elsewhere. A league source who said he had talked to Angelo said the Bears GM developed concerns researching Fassel and doubted his personality would be a good fit for the McCaskey family. That reduces the field of remaining known candidates to Grimm, Smith, Patriots defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel, Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, who's still on hold, and Bears defensive coordinator Greg Blache, who's still a long shot. The Bears also expressed interest in Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen, who was said to have dismissed their inquiries. The search process quietly continued during the heavily publicized pursuit of Saban, who cited family and his affection for LSU on Saturday as reasons for staying. The Bears made a competitive offer of a five-year contract worth $3.5 million annually, LSU sources said, but it wasn't enough for Saban to bolt the Bayou. But one league source and a source close to Saban agree that money didn't have as much to do with Saban's hesitance as his desire to have control over the Bears' 53-man roster and Angelo's reluctance to relinquish it. The two also reportedly haggled over the hiring of assistant coaches, a point Angelo was said to concede, before Saban finally decided it was good to be king in college-football-crazed Louisiana. That sent Angelo home to execute his backup plan, which seems to be changing by the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted January 12, 2004 Share Posted January 12, 2004 I haven't even heard his name mentioned? All I knew about was the D coach from St Louis, the O line coach from Pitts, and a coach from Bal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted January 12, 2004 Share Posted January 12, 2004 Supposedly the Bears are down to two canditates... http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1706414 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Honda Civic Posted January 12, 2004 Share Posted January 12, 2004 Supposedly the Bears are down to two canditates... http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1706414 I imagine Crennel is a finalist too, but they can't interview him agian until after the Pats are out of the playoffs... I don't know why Wies wasn't even interviewed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted January 12, 2004 Share Posted January 12, 2004 LOL.. this is starting to look like what happened to the Sox.. no one wanted to manage them either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BridgeportHeather Posted January 12, 2004 Share Posted January 12, 2004 This is an up-and-coming team that is only going to get more exciting to watch as Rex Grossman becomes more seasoned. Give them a couple more years, and they'll be true contendors. It's just a shame that Saban resigned with LSU! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Honda Civic Posted January 12, 2004 Share Posted January 12, 2004 At least the Bears are really trying. What I have heard is Saben wanted 4 Mil a season, which is way overpriced for a un proven NFL coach.I dont have a problem with Lovie Smith, but I dont where this Grimm came into the picture. Not sure if im sold on him. I don't know much about Grimm either, but I'll say this, an O-line coach as a head coach would be a good move, as long as you get someone to work with the young QB. Look at Denver, it doesn't matter what back they have had over the past 10 years, they are a force because of thier O-line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baggio202 Posted January 13, 2004 Share Posted January 13, 2004 "But one league source and a source close to Saban agree that money didn't have as much to do with Saban's hesitance as his desire to have control over the Bears' 53-man roster and Angelo's reluctance to relinquish it." seriously..what coach worth his salt is gonna be excited about taking a job where he has no control over who is players are...right away the respect factor goes out the window if players know the coach has no say if they stay or go... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted January 13, 2004 Share Posted January 13, 2004 LOL.. this is starting to look like what happened to the Sox.. no one wanted to manage them either. Sadly, I think you are right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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