Defensive Position Coaches: Scapegoats or something more?

by ChiFan13 on Jan 9, 2009 2:49 PM CST Comment 16 comments

David Haugh's article in the Tribune today brought up an interesting point about the Bears' coaching staff.

Who else feels stupid for thinking cornerback Charles Tillman had more to do with giving up the 99-yard touchdown pass to Bernard Berrian that blew the Vikings game Nov. 30 than former defensive backs coach Steven Wilks?

Wilks never again will make the mistake of failing to warn Tillman sufficiently about the dangers of falling asleep at the opponent's 1-yard line now that the Bears have fired him.

And imagine how silly those of us who blamed the Bears' front four for going five games without a sack feel now that we know it was really all ex-defensive line coach Brick Haley's fault.

Forget that Lance Briggs appreciated Lee's contributions enough to offer to fly him to Hawaii for the Pro Bowl—was defensive coordinator Bob Babich invited too?—it wasn't enough to save Lee from becoming the Bears' third position coach pared.

This is like changing the light bulbs in a house with bad wiring.

Personally, I think the article has a lot of merit. We're not changing schemes or coordinators after our defense's great performance this year; instead, we're replacing position coaches. Unfortunately, firing the position coaches and sparing Babich looks to be another of Lovie's "stay the course" mantras (see training camp 2008 when Lovie blamed the poor 2007 defense on injuries).

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It is still early...

There may still end up being something occur with Babich… whether or not he is fired, who knows, but I think a lot could still potentially happen. I really get the feeling that one way or another, there will be a significant shake up. Maybe right now, they are waiting to see what Marinelli will do. If he chooses to go to Houston, or someplace else, there will still be the opprortunity to make some changes to the coaching ranks. I really, REALLY, don’t see things just staying the same… and I’m not counting position coach changes as anything significant.

Residence: Portland, Oregon Pro Team: Da Bears NCAA Football: LSU Baby!! Make sense?

by GeauxBears on Jan 9, 2009 3:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Fire everyone except Toub.

I can hear the clock ticking and my heart beating. I can see individual pixels of the TV picture. I can hear the caution in the opponent's voice. I can smell the fear in the sweat of the opponent's fans. I can taste... THE CHAMPIONSHIP. I AM IN CHAMPIONSHIP MODE.

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Jan 9, 2009 6:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Scapegoats

by No It All on Jan 9, 2009 6:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

AFFIRMITIVE ACTION?

First of i believed it to be the safeties fault who bit on the play action which led to the 99yrd reception but i could be wrong. I have been writing since last season about the coaching staff of lovie smith and my opinion that he was hiring minorities for the sake of hiring minorities. I am a college educated black man and i assure you there is no ignorance or racial hate behind my statements. I believe that it has been extremely hard for african american coaches to get a break in the past which leaves them with a sense of being a trailblazer and a obligation to open the dooor for other minorities like theirself. When i see the list of coaches let go this off season it reinforces my assumptions.I dont think it is any different than those coaches who hire family members but i think lovie should be held accountable for his coaching pics escpecially Q.B coach. How can you justify the guys we have had teaching rex and kyle with a jim fassel siting at home biting on the bit. The only reason i can see keeping our Q.B coach is lovie opening another door for racial sakes. I mean pep hamilton is horribly underqualified for his position and has no resume to speak of. The last time i posted this i got no responses or other perspectives. if you are reading this please respond respectfully. P.S. if i were GM i would fire Martin Luther King himself before i let my beloved bears go down the tank. BEARDOWN!

by WavyGravy on Jan 10, 2009 10:59 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Well... I've never looked at it that way.

I’ve just always been under the assumption that Ted Phillips, under possible direction of the McCaskey ownership, has just been flat out cheap when it comes to hiring a coaching staff.

We’ve had Leslie Frazier knock on our door, inviting himself to coach DBs for the Bears prior to the 2006 Super Bowl season. And, the Bears simply replied with no interest. It amazes me that they continue to assemble a coaching staff made up of inexperience.

Of course, the latest example is Rod Marinelli. Rod his nearly best buds with both Lovie and Jerry… yet, apparently the Bears didn’t offer him enough money to say, “yes.”

They continue to be cheap in this area of football operations, and it shows in the lacking development of their players.

Guys like Jim Fassel would make a great addition to the Bears staff, but it’ll likely never happen. They simply rarely pay the price required for NFL experience.

If you look at the last 3 coaching tenures for the Chicago Bears (Lovie Smith, Dick Jauron, and Dave Wannstedt), you’ll see a familiar trend. All 3 head coaches were first time head coaches… and each coach’s supporting staff was made up mostly of inexperience. You can add Dave McGinnis (Arizona’s defensive coordinator) to that list as well, since the Bears embarrassingly named him HC before he signed on the dotted line.

Our offensive coordinators:
1. Ron Turner (San Jose State Head Coach)
2. Matt Cavanaugh (QB coach 49ers)
3. Gary Crowton (Louisiana Tech Offensive Coordinator)
4. John Shoop (promoted QB coach)
5. Terry Shea (QB coach Chiefs)
6. Ron Turner

None of those guys with the exception of Ron Turner II, had previous NFL experience at that coaching position. All of those guys, with the exception of Ron Turner were coaching failures, who never got NFL offensive coordinator positions again.

Defensive Coordinators
1. Bob Slowik (Assistant coach Cowboys)
2. Greg Blache (Defensive line coach Colts)
3. Ron Rivera (LB coach Eagles)
4. Bob Babich (promoted LB coach)

Again… no previous NFL experience as Defensive Coordinator for any of those coaches.

Cheap… cheap… cheap.

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Jan 10, 2009 11:36 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

In comparison...

If you look at the most recent Super Bowl winning coaches

Coughlin
Dungy
Cowher
Belichick
Gruden
Billick
Vermeil
Shanahan

There was a lot of coaching experience under those guys belts, and all of those guys were on their second HC position, with the exception of Cowher (who had been coaching the Steelers for years). I bet if you looked at their coaching staffs, you’d see a lot of previous experience.

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Jan 10, 2009 11:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Lovie Smith wants to win, period.

Look, I don’t see any head coach in the NFL hiring assistant coaches on the qualification that they are the same color as themselves. The NFL is far to competitive to not have the best qualified people avail for the job. Do you think Lovie Smith would sacrifice winning in order to do the “right thing” for his race? Lovie Smith wants to win, period. Now, Lovie Smith has this vision of scheme in his mind that he has seen work before in Tampa Bay and in St. Louis and he believes that specific people with similar philosophies are required to achieve the vision he has for this defense. So why would Bob Babich be promoted to DC if Lovie Smith was creating an all black coaching staff? The only thing Lovie Smith is working toward is the Super Bowl, not segregation.

Passion For The Game, Loyal To The Name, Chicago Bears, I Trust In Thee, Standing Strong Since 1983.

by Haightminow on Jan 10, 2009 11:44 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I hope you are correct about lovie

I didnt mean to imply lovie is looking for an all black staff but i do wonder if he gives a guy a crack at a lower coaching position for the sake of creating a opportunity for a minority coach. I just cant understand the pep hamilton hire unless he is married to lovies daughter. I do not doubt that lovie wants to win. Hell we are a winning team this season so breath it in all you want but it still smells like shit to me.

by WavyGravy on Jan 10, 2009 2:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

If he truly is trying to get an all-black staff (which isn't true)

he hired Rod Marinelli, and as far as I can tell, he’s as white as cream cheese.

I'M A MAN! I'M 22!

by ChiFan13 on Jan 11, 2009 11:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Who said all black?

i said minorities and last time i checked there were more than just 1

by WavyGravy on Jan 11, 2009 11:25 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

True true

I didnt mean to imply lovie is looking for an all black staff

Didn’t read the entire thing. My bad.

I'M A MAN! I'M 22!

by ChiFan13 on Jan 11, 2009 1:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Pep Hamilton is qualified & respected

Pep Hamilton was the starting QB for Howard University from 1993-96, Won the Scholar-Athlete Award in 95-96.

Howard University QB coach 97-98 & OC 99-2001

Kansas City Chiefs Summer Intern coach 2000
Washington Redskins Summer intern coach 2001
Baltimore Ravens Pro Scout 2002

3 years with the New York Jets as Offensive Quality Control coach/ quarter back coach & WR coach
2 years with the SF 49ers as offensive assistant and QB coach

His first year with the Bears in 07 was the Bears third most gross passing yards in team history (3,701). The Bears had six 250 plus yard passing games & three 300+, the most since 1999.

Trent Dilfer said Pep Hamilton is one of the best QB coaches in the league. For whatever that is worth.

Passion For The Game, Loyal To The Name, Chicago Bears, I Trust In Thee, Standing Strong Since 1983.

by Haightminow on Jan 10, 2009 3:15 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Trent Dildo says alot of things

Wow who knew trent was so respected in halas hall. Any successfull Q,Bs on peps resume…..oh no well i guess working with the number one over all alex smith is his claim to fame…….no wait i guess that would be a blemish.

Q.B. coach has nothing to do with stats like passing yards so i dont know where you are going with that. We had cedric benson wich made us the number one passing attempt per game team in the league.

The 49ers suck and so does Trent Dildo and Alex Smith. Just because Trent Dildo spent one year under pep hamilton at the end of his career your gonna trust his judgment. its that type of thinking that keep the bears searching for a Q.B year in and year out.

Take of that mask Haightminow i know its you PEP!

by WavyGravy on Jan 11, 2009 11:23 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Scapegoats.

How a team can have a “terrible” defense compared to their expectations and then just fire everybody except the person who calls the schemes is beyond me.

by Twins Territory on Jan 11, 2009 11:41 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Easy, a little on the sensitive side huh?

Why is Pep Hamilton so terrible? He has qualifications and experience does he not? Has anyone else been able to turn Alex Smith into a super star? Pep did some nice work with Jeff Garcia. Trent Dilfer has Super Bowl ring. Look what Pep has been given to work with. He has done good work with very average QB’s. Kyle Orton made great progress this year, prior to the ankle injury he was pro bowl caliber. Orton broke the team record for most consecutive passes without an INT. When Pep Hamilton was hired Halas Hall was thrilled and rightfully so.

Look, you said to read and respond RESPECTFULLY. Which I did, respectfully as you requested. I disagree with you and state my argument with facts and respect and you respond disrespectfully.

Pep’s qualifications and resume are comparative to most, maybe not Jim Fassel but
You said Pep Hamilton is “horribly under qualified”, “no resume to speak of”, I simply brought you up to speed on Pep’s qualifications and his resume because obviously you were lacking. Look, none of us likes to be wrong, I understand. But if you ask for respect and receive it and in return are disrespectful…

You also said that the Bears were the #1 passing attempt per game team in the league in ‘07. Very wrong, now your just making up statistics, why? The Bears were 10th in passing attempts per game, 15th overall. Don’t get angry, take it in stride, were all wrong every now and then.

Passion For The Game, Loyal To The Name, Chicago Bears, I Trust In Thee, Standing Strong Since 1983.

by Haightminow on Jan 12, 2009 2:04 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

nobody is safe

with the bears gutting the coaching staff i cannot imagine how the qb coach would be safe, given the historic futility at the position (including peps tenure). granted management has not helped him out with the whole getting a decent qb thing.

by No It All on Jan 12, 2009 7:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs