2. Jim Bob Cooter, Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator
Cooter has been a hot name for the last couple of seasons. He’s been in charge of a Detroit Lions offense that is always capable of putting up points and before that, he worked with Peyton Manning in both Indianapolis and Denver.
Matt Stafford loves Cooter and Cooter has definitely helped Stafford come into his own as one of the top ten quarterbacks in the league. He’s another coordinator that’s well-respected around NFL circles and is in the category of “it’s only a matter of time until he’s a head coach.”
This would be the type of coach that Pace would strongly consider. An assistant that’s well-respected, but still is a first-time head coach and one that has a resume with offensive successes, especially with developing and working with outstanding quarterbacks. It’s a definite possibility that the Bears snag a coach from one of their chief NFC North rivals.
Odds on being the next head coach: 10 to 1