Chicago Bears Coaching Changes

The reconstruction of the Chicago Bears’ coaching staff is underway this off-season. Bears management has decided to keep head coach Lovie Smith for the next season, despite not reaching the playoffs for the third consecutive season following Chicago’s Super Bowl run in 2006.

Offensive coordinator Ron Turner was let go by Chicago, along with five other offensive coaches. After Turner’s exit, many speculated that Bears’ general manager Jerry Angelo would go after Jeremy Bates, offensive coordinator from USC. Bates worked with Jay Cutler while with the Denver Broncos, and was said to be Cutler’s choice for offensive coordinator. However, Bates decided to stay with Pete Carroll and became the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive coordinator. Another possible candidate was former Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis—until he became the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive coordinator. But finally, Chicago decided to bring in Mike Martz. Martz and Smith both coached together for the St. Louis Rams from 2001-2005, with Martz as the head coach and Smith the defensive coordinator. Martz was also the architect of the Super Bowl winning Rams offense that was dubbed “The Greatest Show on Turf.”

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In addition to signing Martz, the Bears also welcomed Mike Tice as the new offensive line coach. Tice, a former head coach of the Minnesota Vikings and assistant head coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars, coached five offensive linemen that went to 10 Pro Bowls under his tutelage. To round out the offensive side of the coaching staff, Mike DeBord and Shane Day were brought in as tight ends coach and quarterbacks coach respectively.

With Smith being stripped of his play-calling duty for the defense, Chicago promoted Rod Marinelli to defensive coordinator. Marinelli will still hold the title of assistant head coach as well as focus on the defensive line along with new defensive line coach Eric Washington.

By Clyde Speller
ProFootball-fans.com Chicago Bears Correspondent