Chicago Bears: A History of Narrow Coaching Misses
By Erik Lambert
The Chicago Bears are about to embark on their search for the 16th head coach in franchise history, and they’re praying to finally get it right.
Missing so often at such an important job is bad enough. What probably makes it even worse is learning how painfully close they’ve been to getting it right. Not just once but several times in the past three decades. A lot of fans may know about the obvious misses, but there are others dating back to the 1990s that might absolutely blow their minds. Here is the list. A clear indicator of just how heavy the responsibility will be for Ryan Pace come January.
2015: John Fox vs. Dan Quinn
Before the entire Fox thing went down, new GM Ryan Pace had conducted an interview with both Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles. Both were reportedly in the running. Then Fox, with his extensive reputation was cut loose by Denver. Urged by Ernie Accorsi to give him a look, the Bears relented and pulled the trigger. Quinn went to Atlanta and had them in the Super Bowl a year later.
2012: Marc Trestman vs. Bruce Arians
This might be the most egregious misfire. Chicago has Arians, the reigning Coach of the Year dead in their sights. He was ready to accept the job if offered. Then GM Phil Emery decided to get cute and hire Trestman. Many felt it was a creative hire that could pay dividends for Jay Cutler. At the same time some feared his long absence from the NFL had likely dulled his understanding of the game. They were right. Arians thrived in Arizona while Trestman became overwhelmed.
2004: Lovie Smith vs. Nick Saban
Yes there is no doubting that Smith became a good hire for the Bears. He took them to a Super Bowl. At the same time to know they could’ve had one of the greatest coaches of this generation? It’s amazing to think about. Imagine what Saban could’ve done with Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs and that emerging defense. His eye for talent and ability to elevate his players is well-documented. They just weren’t willing to meet his high price.
1999: Dick Jauron vs. Bill Belichick
Yes this is true. It’s not an urban legend. The Bears legitimately had a chance to hire arguably the greatest coach in NFL history in 1999. The New York Jets made Belichick available to interview. So why didn’t the Bears take it? Team chairman Michael McCaskey had no interest. That’s the long and short of it. Instead he went with the underwhelming choice of Jaguars defensive coordinator Dick Jauron who had one winning season in five years.
Next: Chicago Bears: Time to Build-a-New-Bear Coaching Staff
1993: Dave Wannstedt vs. Pete Carroll
The first true hire of the McCaskey era pretty much set the tone for what followed. Anxious to get away from the Ditka style, the Bears sought a slightly more malleable coach with less of a domineering personality. They ended up going for Cowboys defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt. Few remember they also interviewed a young defensive assistant from the Jets named Pete Carroll. Given how he did at USC and Seattle, that was bad insight.