Chicago Bears: What To Expect If Adam Gase Leaves
By Erik Lambert
May 27, 2015; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase (C) talks with Bears quarterbacks during organized team activities at the Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Maybe calling it the “5 Stages of Acceptance” is a little over the top but that is generally what Chicago Bears fans have been going through regarding the regular news that offensive coordinator Adam Gase is expected to compete for a head coaching position in the NFL in 2016. It’s not something they’re happy about, especially given the newfound success he’s pulled from quarterback Jay Cutler, but they also understand that this is part of the business and it’s something they can’t change.
In other words, this was just a matter of time. So the question now shifts from whether or not Gase will stay to what will the Bears do once he leaves? There is an outside chance that they could search around the league for a replacement, but a pretty strong majority of local and national media believe quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains, who was hired at the same time Gase was, is the favorite to replace him.
Adam Gase is going to be a head coach somewhere else, and the Bears' plan at OC should include Dowell Loggains. https://t.co/sXcXiACTtu
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) December 29, 2015
Loggains is another coach that Jay Cutler has connections with. The two struck up a friendship when the quarterback came out of Vanderbilt for the draft in 2006. Cutler lobbied the Bears to hire Loggains in 2010 but the team was blocked by the Tennessee Titans. So it’s clear they’ve wanted to work together for a long time, and much of the credit for Cutler’s increased efficiency is credited to the special drills and practices Loggains has implemented.
An Arkansas native, he broke into the NFL as a quality control coach for Jeff Fisher and the Titans in 2008. By 2010 he was quarterbacks coach before earning a promotion to offensive coordinator at the tender age of 32 in 2012. Under his direction, former 1st round pick Jake Locker had his best statistical season as a pro before a string of injuries forced him to retire. Tennessee eventually purged the coaching staff and Loggains went on to spend one year in Cleveland mired in that mess with Johnny Manziel.
He’s still so young for an NFL coach but it’s becoming clear he has chops. After all, Gase was around the same age when he first assumed the offensive coordinator job in Denver. The players like him, especially the quarterback and he seems to have the confidence of head coach John Fox. So barring a major shift, that job is Loggains’ to lose.