Oct 28, 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy calls in a play in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Byron Hetzler-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive coordinator Mike McCoy doesn’t have time for sulking following the Denver Broncos’ surprising 38-35 loss to the Baltimore Ravens as his calendar continues to fill up.  The San Diego Chargers have added him to their list of prospective head coaching candidates, while reports out of Arizona indicate the Cardinals will make a serious push to get McCoy to be their next head coach.  If Phil Emery and the Chicago Bears want a shot at McCoy, they’re going to have to speed it up or risk missing out on the hottest coaching candidate going.  (more…)

I think we can safely say that the Bears are done expanding their list of head coaching candidates and will in fact, be narrowing the field and bringing in their candidates to Halas Hall for second interviews this week.  Since the list is so expansive, I figured I’d do a little Power Rankings for the candidates as I see them.    (more…)

The Chicago Bears head coaching rumor mill has been churning fast and furious since Fox analyst Jimmy Johnson tweeted this gem early Friday morning:

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Jan 7, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish coach Brian Kelly looks dejected on the sidelines against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2013 BCS National Championship game at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The coaching carousel is in full swing and the Chicago Bears continue to be in the midst of the searching process.  Word came out today that the Philadelphia Eagles had interviewed Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly following his teams’ 42-14 loss to Alabama in the National Championship game.  CBS Sports’ Jason LaCanfora also linked the Bears to Kelly.

In addition to the Eagles, league sources say the Bears also have interest in Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly …

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) January 10, 2013

Numerous Bears beat writers have refuted the LaCanfora report, stating it’s probably a play on Kelly’s part to give him some more leverage and possibly a contract extension.  If only he had such a good strategy against the Tide…

What do you think Bears fans?  Could the guy who turned around the Irish turn around the Bears?

Bill Cowher would like to return to coaching… eventually.  According to Newsday, Cowher wants to return to the coaching ranks:

Ever since Bill Cowher rode off into the sunset, we’ve been wondering when he’ll return to coaching in the NFL.

Nearly six full seasons later, Cowher is still retired. So will he ever return to the sidelines?

“Yes,” Cowher told Newsday, via Pro Football Talk, when asked if he plans to coach again at some point.

When that will be is anyone’s guess.

SI’s Peter King thinks Cowher’s return should be to the Bears ASAP:

If Cowher wants to coach again, he should consider the Bears–strongly. QB, good def base, smart GM. Where’ll he find that in ’14, ’15?

— Peter King (@SI_PeterKing) January 9, 2013

Very true and many Bears fans would support that idea.  Cowher’s experience and passion would seem to be an ideal fit in Chicago.  Has the game passed Cowher by?  He’s been out of coaching since 2006.  That’s a lifetime ago in coach-speak but Cowher doesn’t think it’s an issue:

“I think it’s a non-issue,” Cowher said of his time away from coaching. “I did it for 27 years. You don’t just forget things overnight. One thing about this job is it’s been really good because it allows me to study the game and do features on the game. I want to know what I’m talking about so I’m watching tape. It’s not like I’m out of it. I know how the game is changing.”

It appears clear that Phil Emery’s plan involves bringing in an offensive-minded head coach.  Plus Cowher will likely want to have a little more say in personnel decisions than Phil may want to give him.  If Emery’s search flops and he makes the wrong pick, who knows, maybe Cowher will be ready to take over the Bears in 2015?

What do you think?  Would you want Cowher patrolling the Bears sidelines?  Has the game passed him by as he’s been sitting in a TV studio the last 6 years?  Vote in our poll and let’s see your comments.

At first it was refreshing.  You heard words like thorough and meticulous.  Next, you started to scratch your head a bit and asked “what is going on?  Is there a plan?”  The latest sighting of Chicago Bears GM was a leather jacket wearing Emery with a pair of water skis headed towards Lake Michigan.  Don’t get the reference?  The Chicago Bears head coaching search has jumped the shark a la Fonzie’s infamous shark jumping episode that sent Happy Days into a tailspin from which it would never recover.  The list of candidates, legitimate or otherwise, has swelled to 13.  13!  When is it enough?  When will this madness end?  (more…)

UPDATED 1/8/13

Aug 30, 2012; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bears special teams coordinator Dave Toub yells in the first half of a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Dave Toub

Current Position: Chicago Bears special teams coordinator

Current Status (as of 1/8/13): Reportedly already interviewed with Phil Emery to move to the corner office.

Comments: None of the prospective head coaching candidates know this Bears roster and know these Bears players better than Toub.  His special teams units are consistently among the tops in the NFL.

Jan 1, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings special assistant to the head coach Mike Singletary looks to the video board in a break from the action with the Chicago Bears at the Metrodome. The Bears win 17-13. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Singletary

Current Position: Minnesota Vikings linebackers coach

Current Status (as of 1/8/13): Singletary’s name popped up on Monday night as the latest to be on Phil Emery’s radar.  No interview date has been released.

Comment: Singletary’s candidacy takes the coaching search over the shark.  This cannot happen, no matter how he eyeballs Emery.

Nov 20, 2011; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings special teams coordinator Mike Priefer during the game against the Oakland Raiders at the Mall of America Field. The Raiders defeated the Vikings 27-21. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Priefer

Current Position: Minnesota Vikings special teams coordinator

Current Status (as of 1/8/13): Just like Singletary, Priefer’s name just popped up Monday night.  No word on a time for his interview.

Comments: Priefer is widely respected around the league and has a military background.  He and Emery were at the Naval Academy in the 90′s when Emery was strength and conditioning coach.  A longshot at best.

Dec 1, 2011; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks defeated the Eagles 31-14. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Derrell Bevell

Current Position: Seahawks Offensive Coordinator

Current Status (As of 1/6/13): CBS Sports is reporting the Bears have requested permission to interview Bevell.  His Seahawks pulled off an upset over the Washington Redskins on Sunday.  He’ll be busy preparing for the Atlanta Falcons this week, but an interview is expected to take place.

Comments: Bevell has taken his turn through the NFC North, having worked as an offensive assistant (2000 – 2002) and quarterbacks coach (2003 – 2005) with the Green Bay Packers before becoming the offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings (2006 – 2010).  He’s currently the offensive coordinator for Pete Carroll’s surging Seahawks.

Jan 15, 2012; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Texans offensive coordinator Rick Dennison during the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens at M

Rick Dennison

Current Position: Houston Texans Offensive Coordinator

Current Status (As of 1/6/13): Bears requested permission to interview Dennison follow the Texans’ win over the Bengals on Wild Card Saturday.   The interview has been granted but no official word on when it’s set to take place.  The Texans head out to New England to take on the Patriots in the Divisional round of the playoffs.

Comments: I have to credit my guy Adam over at Chicago Bears Huddle, who was the first that I saw to drop Dennison’s name as a prospective candidate.  Dennison was the Broncos’ offensive coordinator when Jay Cutler made a trip to the Pro Bowl.  His Texans offense is nothing to sneeze at either.  A solid choice.

Marc Trestman

Current Position: Head Coach, Montreal Alouttes

Current Status (As of 1/6/13): The Bears will reportedly interview Trestman on Monday.

Comments: Don’t be fooled by Trestman’s status as a head coach in the CFL; he’s got plenty of NFL experience.   The 56-year old Trestman has kicked around the NFL since 1985 and spent a bulk of his last 25 years working with and developing quarterbacks.  In fact, he’s worked with a lot of college QB’s prior to the Combine, including Jay Cutler back in 2006.

Dec 30 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians on the sidelines during a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis defeats Houston 28-16. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Bruce Arians

Current Position: Indianapolis Colts Offensive Coordinator/Interim Head Coach

Current Status (as of 1/6/13): Bears set to interview Arians this week even though he fell ill just before the Colts’ loss to the Ravens in Wild Card Weekend.

Comments: Arians has a Super Bowl ring from his days coordinating the Pittsburgh Steelers offense from 2007-2011.  The 60-year old Arians stepped in as the Colts head coach and led them to a 9-3 record while Chuck Pagano had to step down for part of the season while undergoing cancer treatment.  If there were doubts about his legitimacy as a head coach before this season, he’s silenced his doubters.  He’s a coach of the year candidate.  It’s not often those types of guys hit the market, so it’s a huge opportunity for the Bears.

August 25, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) and offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael during the second half of a preseason game against the Houston Texans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Texans 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Pete Carmichael

Current Position: New Orleans Saints Offensive Coordinator

Current Status (As of  January 6, 2013): Emery interviewed Carmichael on Thursday 1/3/13.

Comments:  Carmichael ran the Saints’ 2nd ranked Saints offense this season while Sean Payton sat out in the wake of the Bountygate scandal that rocked the Saints.  The 41-year old Carmichael has been with the Saints since 2006, where he’s served as quarterbacks coach, passing game coordinator and offensive coordinator.  He’s been in the NFL since 2000 where he spent time with the Chargers, Redskins and Browns.

Tom Clements

Current Position: Green Bay Packers Offensive Coordinator

Current Status (As of 1/6/13): Emery is set to interview Clements in Green Bay on Thursday 1/10/13.

Comments: If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.  A few years back Clements was the quarterbacks coach for the Packers and the Bears requested to interview him for their vacant head offensive coordinator position.  The Packers have been long been developing quarterbacks.  Clements has worked with Favre and Rodgers, so that’s pretty good resume material.
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Phil Emery and the Chicago Bears are pleased to announce they’ve teamed up with the Fox television network and the folks at American Idol to bring you American Coaching Idol.

Borrowing from the American Idol format, Phil Emery, Ted Phillips, Jay Cutler and Randy Jackson will be on the panel conducting a cattle call interview.  Prospective coaching candidates will have 30 seconds to make their pitch on how they can fix the Chicago Bears offense.   Candidates that get at least three votes will get a golden ticket to go to Halas Hall for the next wave of interviews.  
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