Windy City Gridiron - Chicago Bears Head Coaching CandidatesA Chicago Bears communityhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49985/windy-fav.png2013-01-16T07:08:25-06:00http://www.windycitygridiron.com/rss/stream/35881772013-01-16T07:08:25-06:002013-01-16T07:08:25-06:00Who is Marc Trestman?
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<figcaption>Richard Wolowicz, Getty</figcaption>
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<p>A bright offensive mind who's journey led him across the NFL for 20 years, and then to Canada, and finally here to Chicago.</p> <p>Marc Trestman has been sharpening his skills up in the north. After a land with 3 downs, monstrous fields, and things they like to call 'offence and defence', his presence here in Chicago is to bolster a lagging offense. He comes to this destnation after a long road travelled with some of the great offensive minds of the WCO tree.</p>
<p><span>Trestman's history begins with Bill Walsh in the late 1980's, where as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> Offensive Coordinator and Quarterback Coach he met Walsh while he was an analyst for NBC after his retirement from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">49ers</a> in 1988. It was an apprentice seeking a master, and the two met often over the next few years to open Trestman's mind to the brilliance of imagination and communication that Bill Walsh was known for. He studied the system, he asked questions, he analyzed Mike Holmgren and Mike Shanahan, and started actively crafting his own product in 1995 under George Seifert in San Francisco. </span></p>
<p><span>During his first season the Niners were #1 in points and #2 in total offense, continuing the level of success that Shanahan had during his tenure in San Francisco with Steve Young and Jerry Rice. His NFL career took him to Detroit, Arizona, Oakland, and Miami in the next 8 years, and help built the careers of <span>Jake Plummer</span> and Rich Gannon and studied under the tutelage of Jon Gruden.</span></p>
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<tr>
<th>Year</th> <th>Team</th> <th>Rushing Yds</th> <th>Rushing TDs</th> <th>Passing Yds</th> <th>Passing TDs</th> <th>INTs</th> <th>Sacks</th>
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<tr>
<td>1989</td>
<td>Cleveland</td>
<td>21st</td>
<td>12th</td>
<td>11th</td>
<td>16th</td>
<td>5th</td>
<td>8th</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1995</td>
<td>San Francisco</td>
<td>23rd</td>
<td>3rd</td>
<td>1st</td>
<td>4th</td>
<td>13th</td>
<td>16th</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1996</td>
<td>San Francisco</td>
<td>10th</td>
<td>4th</td>
<td>7th</td>
<td>8th</td>
<td>10th</td>
<td>22nd</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1998</td>
<td>Arizona</td>
<td>21st</td>
<td>6th</td>
<td>8th</td>
<td>20th</td>
<td>25th</td>
<td>22nd</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1999</td>
<td>Arizona</td>
<td>29th</td>
<td>10th</td>
<td>27th</td>
<td>31st</td>
<td>30th</td>
<td>21st</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2000</td>
<td>Arizona</td>
<td>27th</td>
<td>29th</td>
<td>17th</td>
<td>23rd</td>
<td>29th</td>
<td>14th</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2002</td>
<td>Oakland</td>
<td>18th</td>
<td>5th</td>
<td>1st</td>
<td>8th</td>
<td>22nd</td>
<td>17th</td>
</tr>
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<td>2003</td>
<td>Oakland</td>
<td>16th</td>
<td>12th</td>
<td>27th</td>
<td>32nd</td>
<td>8th</td>
<td>25th</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
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<p><span>In 2007, the Montreal Alouettes invited Trestman to be a guest coach during training camp. In 2008, they took the step to hire the Bill Walsh disciple. With a field almost 12 yards wider than a traditional NFL field, you can just hear the words 'utilize the whole field' being spoken by Bill Walsh into Trestman's ear over the past 5 years. </span></p>
<p><span>To that he adapted his schemes to the CFL's 12-player, ever shifting backfields, and wider fields, and put it in the hands of Alouette veteran Anthony Calvillo. Behind Calvillo's arm, the Alouettes' aggressive passing game turned the 37 year old into an MVP. The very next year Trestman and Calvillo repeated the trick of MVP and Grey Cup. With words like 'masterfully detail-oriented', 'meticulous', 'imaginative', we get a greater idea why Emery has spent as much time with Trestman as he has this offseason. Phil Emery must have seen himself in Trestman, and what Phil Emery sees in himself as being a positive, seeing it in others opens them up. His time in Montreal hasn't just been developing offense though, Brad Biggs </span><a href="http://sulia.com/channel/chicago-sports/f/192c811d-eb51-4137-8d47-cfa780965791/" target="_blank">quoted </a><span>Montreal's GM, Jim Popp, as saying</span></p>
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<p><span>"He’s very articulate and he’s very organized – he’s one of the most organized people I’ve been around. He is well spoken. He is very good at speaking to the team. These are things that came out in the interviews when I was trying to figure out what the next best thing for our club was. He’s got that organizational skill set and I don’t doubt one bit that with his experience in the NFL he would be able to put together a great coaching staff together. He’s proven himself as a head coach at a professional level. You can call it what you want but on-hand training as a head coach and proof goes a long way, goes a real long way. You can’t replace that."</span></p>
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<p><span>Trestman has been working with one of the great GM's in the CFL under Jim Popp, and Emery would like to provide the same level of complementary flexibility with Trestman in his move from the CFL to NFL.</span></p>
<p><span>Not just satisfied with coaching the Alouettes and developing Anthony Cavillo into the most prolific passer in all of football, Trestman moonlighted as a QB consultant for potential draftees, and most notably have worked with: <span>Jay Cutler</span>, <span>Tim Tebow</span>, <span>Jimmy Clausen</span>, <span>Jason Campbell</span>, <span>Brandon Weeden</span>, and Brock Osweiler. Obviously you have to look at Trestman having a history with Cutler to have impacted his hiring in Chicago, and at least a small sense of familiarity that doesn't require a relationship to start from scratch. Trestman's work with Cutler before he joined another Bill Walsh disciple in Denver with Mike Shanahan, probably had some impact in Cutler's ability to pick up and run with Shanahan's offense in his first few years in Denver to great success.</span></p>
<p><span>These are things that translate well to the NFL. The CFL is no different than the NCAA ranks, it's a path to give coordinators the hands on opportunity to know what it takes to run a professional level organization. The CFL may even be a better opportunity to replicate the NFL when you remove the impact that recruiting has in Division I football. The CFL isn't a place where you just say 'but it's half rate talent, what works there won't work here', because GM's need to evaluate more than just a scheme, they have to </span>evaluate <span>a mind and it's ability to adapt regardless of personnel. His NFL scheme changed in Montreal to the arcane rules of CFL and the players he had. That's flexibility instead of rigidity, it's adapting to your surroundings, your weaknesses, and your strengths, and those are traits of successful coaches. </span></p>
<p>What Trestman brings to the table is a branch of the West Coast Offense. The WCO system brings you a mixed bag of talent, of ideas, and of principles. In the past 10 years in the NFL, you've seen hyperaccurate dink and dunk QB's, power rushing attacks, and to move with the NFL these days, an added mix of aggressive downfield shots all carry the name WCO. Look at how Mike McCarthy runs his scheme, predicated on short throws as an extension of the running game, and deep, well planned shots that freeze up defenses. It's not rocket science, but it does take established, quality talent. Trestman's particular blend of WCO is closer to McCarthy's than say Andy Reid or Brad Childress' version, as in it's less predicated on the ground game, but more about using the passing game as an extension of the running game, using running game to keep defenses honest and score touchdowns, much like Martz employed, and pushing the defenses outside to open up the inside with team speed.</p>
<p><span>If Cutler's going to flourish in this system, it's going to have to be by going 2 steps back with Trestman, reimagining and rebuilding the Jay Cutler under Mike Shanahan in 2008 and trying to build on that scheme and familiarity that Cutler started his career with. It's about not only crafting things that look great on paper, but in identifying what Cutler's strengths are, develop something that works to bring out those strengths. In the WCO, Cutler's accuracy and arm strength, along with his legs, allow him to make a lot of throws and drive the ball deep with power when they take their shots downfield. and pair those with two receivers who have YAC written all over them in Marshall and Jeffery? What's concerning is the black cloud hanging over the head of other skill players in learning the WCO. Complex, strong systems aren't easy to learn. The good news is, Cutler and Marshall, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Bears</a> 2 top skill players are both WCO familiar, and Forte and Bush both can find themselves used effectively in the scheme, in ways that could look a bit like Andy Reid's work with <span>LeSean McCoy</span>. </span></p>
<p><span>Obviously the 1500 pound gorilla in the room, the offensive line, is the greatest source of concern for what the Bears plan to do moving forward. WCO teams are no worse or better than other systems in terms of reducing sacks or improving the run game. What Trestman must do is find that balance of protection and potency to not only keep Cutler up, but keep the offense moving forward, by getting his receivers space to get yards and move the chains without resorting to throwing the ball deep if the defense can't afford it. </span></p>
<p><span>What's Trestman like defensively? He's much more of a question mark as to what his preferences are, or what they would be in the NFL, other than his predilection for instilling '</span><a href="http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:mRlCd5hztsMJ:www.montrealgazette.com/alouettes%2Bdefence%2Beverything/7045325/story.html+&cd=5&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us" target="_blank">aggressiveness</a><span>'. He embodies that as a playcaller constantly pushing the gas, which is something that always was muted under Lovie Smith, and prefers to set the tempo with scoring instead of playing chicken with slim margins and a good defense. <span>Jerry Porter</span>, former Oakland WR, </span><a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_game/don_banks/news/2003/01/20/banks_insider/" target="_blank">said</a></p>
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<p>"With Trestman, if we're up by 14, we're going to try and go up by 21. Rather than milk the clock and coast on in with a win."</p>
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<p><span>Can you imagine Lovie Smith not just handing it to his defense to win? </span></p>
<p><span>It's going to be a wild, wild ride the next few years Bears fans. Here's to Trestman being the solution the Bears offense was in dire need of.</span></p>
https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2013/1/16/3880480/marc-trestman-chicago-bears-head-coach-introduction-search-updateKay Paradiso2013-01-16T03:49:44-06:002013-01-16T03:49:44-06:00Breaking: Marc Trestman is new Bears head coach
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<figcaption>Jed Jacobsohn, Getty</figcaption>
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<p>The Bears have officially announced that Marc Trestman will be their new Head Coach. This is how that story broke overnight.</p> <p><b>Update:</b> The Bears have confirmed Marc Trestman is the new head coach. A 10 a.m. press conference is scheduled for Thursday.</p>
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<p>LM: It's official: Marc Trestman has been named the 14th head coach in Chicago <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Bears">#Bears</a> history.</p>
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/291487136891420672" data-datetime="2013-01-16T10:08:43+00:00">January 16, 2013</a>
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<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p><b>End update</b></p>
<p>The Tribune's Brad Biggs broke the news in the small hours of the night via <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/BradBiggs/status/291437254973460480">twitter</a> that, according to an NFL source, the Bears will go with Marc Trestman as their new head coach.</p>
<p>NFL.com's Ian Rapoport <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000127052/article/marc-trestman-to-be-next-chicago-bears-coach">elaborates</a> that:</p>
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> are telling candidates that they will hire Montreal Alouettes coach Marc Trestman as their next coach, according to a source briefed on their situation. They informed Bruce Arians and Darrell Bevell, the other two finalists for the job, that they were moving forward Tuesday night with Trestman.</p>
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<p>Rotoworld <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/2468/bears-offense">describes it</a> as:</p>
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<p>...a daring, if risky, hire for a team that all too often let dysfunctional offenses sabotage strong defenses under Smith. ...Although <span>Jay Cutler</span> will be adjusting to yet another new system in 2013, it's excellent news for his prospects that the lead voice in the Bears offense will finally be the head coach, and not the offensive coordinator.</p>
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<p>Brad Biggs' Chicago Tribune colleague Dan Pompei <a target="_blank" href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-bears-hire-marc-trestman-20130115,0,7826477.story">helped assess the move</a>, noting that:</p>
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<p>Trestman is a somewhat unconventional choice, having been out of the NFL for eight years. But he also is a proven winner, having won back-to-back Grey Cup championships as coach of the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League. Trestman has a 64-34 record in five years as a head coach.</p>
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<p>And, on one of his main priorities as stipulated by GM Phil Emery:</p>
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<p>In addition to having head coaching experience, Trestman is a quarterback guru who has spent most of his professional life coaching passers. Clearly, he is being brought to the Bears to get the most out of Jay Cutler and whoever else lines up under center during his tenure.</p>
<p>Trestman should know what he is getting into with Cutler. As a consultant, he worked with Cutler to prepare him for the 2006 combine.</p>
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<p>Former league MVP Rich Gannon, who flourished under Trestman during their time together at the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Raiders</a>, has no doubt that the Bears made the right hire to get the best out of their talented but mercurial quarterback:</p>
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<p>"Marc has always been the type of guy who can sit down with you and talk about things. What do you like about this? What don’t you like? His feedback is excellent. And he has an ability to be honest with you. Somebody needs to be honest with Jay Cutler."</p>
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<p>Cutler was less than optimistic about QB coach Jeremy Bates' chances of staying in the immediate aftermath of Lovie's firing, but Pompei may have some hope for him on that front:</p>
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<p>Trestman’s plans for the defense are unknown, but there’s a good chance he will retain coordinator Rod Marinelli and some of the other defensive assistants. Quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates also is a possibility to stay. Trestman previously worked with Bates’ father, Jim.</p>
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<p>So there you have it, Bears fans, the waiting is over and you wake up this morning to a new head coach. What are your thoughts? Will his WCO-centric approach help mask the offensive line's pass-blocking issues that we've become all too accustomed to? Can Matt Forte be the next Roger Craig? Will Phil Emery's influence and the weight of history of the franchise help him avoid the defensive slide that a Montreal Alouettes season-ticket holder <a target="_blank" href="http://www.windycitygridiron.com/2013/1/14/3875412/marc-trestman-buyer-beware-a-view-from-a-montreal-alouettes-season">described in this fanpost</a>?</p>
<p>Stay tuned to WCG all day for the best coverage of news and views on the new head coach.</p>
<p><b>Update</b>:<a target="_blank" href="http://www.csnchicago.com/football-chicago-bears/bears-talk/Marc-Trestmans-career-timeline?blockID=823861&feedID=10330"> Marc Trestman's career timeline</a>. Introductory news conference scheduled for 10am, will be carried on CSNChicago (and, presumably, ChicagoBears.com).</p>
https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2013/1/16/3881878/chicago-bears-hire-marc-trestman-as-new-head-coach-bruce-arians-darrell-bevellSpongie2013-01-15T10:05:11-06:002013-01-15T10:05:11-06:00Mike McCoy headed to San Diego
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<figcaption>Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>At least one of the known candidates for the Chicago Bears head coaching vacancy is now off the market.</p> <p>While he was not named as one of the finalists for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> head coaching vacancy, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Broncos</a> offensive coordinator Mike McCoy was a candidate that interviewed with general manager Phil Emery over the last few days.</p>
<p>McCoy seemed to be one of the more highly-touted coordinators in the league, garnering interest from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Cardinals</a>, Bears, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Eagles</a>, and Chargers for their head coaching positions.</p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora" target="_blank">Jason LaCanfora is reporting</a> that McCoy will now be off the market, as terms are being worked out to make him the next head coach of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">San Diego Chargers</a>.</p>
<p>Many Bears fans had been high McCoy, as his past offensive successes may have translated well over to a Bears offense that features <span>Jay Cutler</span>, Brandon Marshall, and <span>Matt Forte</span>, but at this point, the Bears are focusing on at least three others: Mar Trestman, Bruce Arians, and Darrell Bevell.</p>
<p>There still could be others brought back to Halas Hall to meet with ownership and team president Ted Phillips, but for now, those are the three known finalists.</p>
<p>Stay tuned...</p>
https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2013/1/15/3878924/denver-broncos-oc-mike-mccoy-to-become-next-head-coach-of-san-diegoDane Noble2013-01-14T20:20:44-06:002013-01-14T20:20:44-06:00Bears begin naming finalists for HC search
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<figcaption>Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Multiple sources are reporting the Bears are down to three in their coaching search; Montreal Alouettes coach Marc Trestman, Seahawks OC Darrell Bevell, and Colts OC Bruce Arians.</p> <p>Multiple sources are confirming that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> are narrowing the search for their next head coach, and three names haver emerged as finalists: Marc Trestman, Bruce Arians, and Darrell Bevell.</p>
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<b> MORE:</b> <a href="http://www.windycitygridiron.com/2013/1/15/3878924/denver-broncos-oc-mike-mccoy-to-become-next-head-coach-of-san-diego" target="new">Mike McCoy off the market</a>/ <a href="http://www.windycitygridiron.com/2013/1/1/3824756/bears-gm-phil-emery-press-conference-highlights" target="new">Phil Emery's press conference with audio</a> </center>
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<p>There are also indications that Bears long-time special teams coordinator Dave Toub will be joining Andy Reid's staff in Kansas City, which may play a role in <span>Devin Hester's</span> decision as to whether he will retire. Toub interviewed with Emery for the vacant HC position, but apparently is not currently in play to be considered further.</p>
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<b> MORE:</b> <a target="new" href="http://www.windycitygridiron.com/2013/1/15/3878858/dave-toub-will-not-return-to-chicago-bears-in-2013">Dave Toub joining Andy Reid in Kansas City</a> </center>
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<p>We should also take into consideration that there could be other candidates that are brought in for another round of interviews with ownership and President Ted Phillips, but these three are currently the only ones who are named. It appears that the team will indeed take an offensive approach for the 2013 season and beyond, and you have to wonder if defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli and other assistants will be retained.</p>
<p>So, what do you think of the finalists?</p>
<p>As always, stay tuned to WCG for the latest developments from Halas Hall...</p>
https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2013/1/14/3877434/chicago-bears-coaching-search-darrell-bevell-marc-trestman-phil-emerySam Householder2013-01-13T10:17:37-06:002013-01-13T10:17:37-06:00Bears may need to act now if interested in McCoy
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<figcaption>Dustin Bradford</figcaption>
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<p>With Denver's loss in the playoffs last night to the Baltimore Ravens, the Bears might need to move quickly if they are truly interested in Broncos OC Mike McCoy.</p> <p>So far, GM Phil Emery has been taking his time in his search for the next <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Bears</a> head coach, but we could potentially see some quicker movement in light of the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Broncos</a> loss to the <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Ravens</a> last night.</p>
<p>Emery was among those who interviewed Denver's offensive coordinator Mike McCoy last week, but Chicago is not the only team who has expressed interest. Other teams include the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Cardinals</a>, <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Eagles</a>, and potentially the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers" class="sbn-auto-link">San Diego Chargers</a>, if not more.</p>
<p><b>UPDATE:</b> <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/290494960866844673" target="_blank">Adam Shefter tweets</a> that the Chargers will, in fact, interview McCoy.</p>
<p>It is the intent of Emery to bring back his handful of finalists to Halas Hall to meet with team president Ted Phillips and members of the McCaskey family, so if his interest is sincere with McCoy, he might need to speed things up significantly.</p>
<p>McCoy spent nine seasons in Carolina in various offensive assistant roles, and the last three years in Denver as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator.</p>
<p>Stay tuned...</p>
https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2013/1/13/3872310/bears-head-coaching-search-phil-emery-might-need-to-move-quickly-toDane Noble2013-01-12T12:17:47-06:002013-01-12T12:17:47-06:00Relax, Bears fans. Emery knows what he's doing.
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<figcaption>Jonathan Daniel</figcaption>
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<p>Many Chicago Bears fans have grown weary of GM Phil Emery's approach in search of next head coach. But we have to remember he is a scout at his very core.</p> <p>The list of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> head coaching candidates has grown to more players than allowed on a football field at one time, and many fans have started wondering about the process that Phil Emery is conducting.</p>
<p>We have all heard about Emery's tireless work ethic, and at the end of the day, have to remember that he is a true scout at heart. The process of finding the next Chicago Bears head coach will undoubtedly lead to the most important decision Phil Emery will ever have to make in his role as General Manager, so it is no surprise that his search is coming across as thorough as it is.</p>
<p>I've stated before that I have exactly zero problems with Emery conducting as many interviews as he possibly can, and if that means sitting down with every single coordinator in the league, then fine by me. Collect as much intel and information as possible, as he has to be able to make the most informed, responsible decision of his career thus far.</p>
<p>NFL insider Adam Schefter apparently spoke with a couple of recent candidates, and <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/290121495768870912">shared this via Twitter</a> Saturday morning:</p>
<p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2005423/Schefter_tweet.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Schefter_tweet_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2005423/Schefter_tweet_medium.jpg"></a></p>
<p>For those who are growing weary, just relax. It may be unconventional, but at the end of the day, if Phil Emery is spending his time talking to as many coaches as possible, good on him.</p>
<p>The man is a scout, so let him do his scouting without criticism. After all, he has been charged with running an NFL franchise, so as fans, we should withhold judgement as to how he conducts his process. Just because we may not understand it, doesn't mean it is wrong...</p>
https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2013/1/12/3869434/chicago-bears-hc-candidates-to-adam-schefter-phil-emery-most-preparedDane Noble2013-01-11T14:05:28-06:002013-01-11T14:05:28-06:00Bears Coaching Candidate Profile: Marc Trestman
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<p>With over a dozen known coaching candidates and possibly more unknown, there are a lot of options for the Bears and even more opinions on which direction GM Phil Emery should go. Let's take a closer look at one of the more unfamiliar candidates, Marc Trestman.</p> <p>Many were surprised when Marc Trestman's name surfaced at first in the coaching search. A CFL coach? It sounded like kind of a joke, or at least that Emery was just going where ever he could to get as many ideas as he could. Many seemed to dismiss Trestman as a serious candidate. He's been in the CFL for goodness sake! He hasn't been on an NFL staff since 2004.</p>
<p>He is just too far removed from the NFL and most of his success was so long ago it seems most <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bears</a> fans aren't interested in him.</p>
<p>However, there have been several ringing endorsements of late. John Clayton, Jimmy Johnson, Adam Schefter, and Rich Gannon, among others have come out in support of Trestman coaching the NFL.</p>
<p>After looking over his record, I quite like the idea of Trestman.</p>
<p>Trestman's career began as a volunteer coach at the University of Miami under Jimmy Johnson while he went to law school. He moved up the ranks there to QB coach and helped Bernie Kosar set school records as Miami won the National Championship.</p>
<p>In 1985 he broke into the NFL as a running backs coach for the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Vikings</a> and in 1987 became the QB coach for the <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a>. In 1988 and '89 he coached with the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cleveland Browns</a> and was reunited with Bernie Kosar and was able to guide the offense en route to the AFC Championship game. Receiver Webster Slaughter set franchise record for receiving yards.</p>
<p>After a short stint with the Vikings as their QB coach in 1990 and '91, he took a couple years off from coaching. He returned to the sidelines in 1995 with the <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Francisco 49ers</a> where he served as offensive coordinator and QB coach. Jerry Rice set the NFL record for receiving yards in a season and the team led the NFL in points scored, pass attempts and passing yards.</p>
<p>He then became the QB coach for the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Lions</a> and tutored Scott Mitchell. Mitchell threw for the second most yards in team history. From '98 to 2000 he served as the OC and QB coach for the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Cardinals</a>. In '98 <span>Jake Plummer</span> threw for 3,737 yards and the Cardinals made the playoffs for the first time since 1982.</p>
<p>Trestman then moved to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Raiders</a> where from 2001-03 he was the OC and QB coach. In 2002, Rich Gannon was league MVP and the team was first in offensive yards and second in points.</p>
<p>After serving one season with the <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Miami Dolphins</a> in 2004, Trestman moved back to the college ranks and served as the OC for the NC State Wolfpack for two seasons. He was key in recruiting <span>Russell Wilson</span> to NC State before he was ousted with Chuck Amato's staff following the 2006 season.</p>
<p>After two years out of coaching Trestman got his current position as head coach of the Montreal Alouettes. He's led them to a 59-31 record, two Grey Cup victories and a third Grey Cup game. The team's worst finish was 2nd in their division. He has coached QB Anthony Calvillo to back-to-back MVP awards. Calvillo is one of the most accomplished CFL QBs ever. Even at 40 he is still considered a top QB.</p>
<p>Now, for Trestman's offenses: In the NFL his offenses have finished in the 56th percentile in points and yardage. Trestman is certainly a pass-first coach; his offenses have always finished in the top 13 in pass attempts. His '95 49ers and the '02 Raiders finished second in the NFL in pass attempts. His offenses have never finished higher than 17th in rushing attempts.</p>
<p>The CFL is known as a pass-happy league, due to only three downs. In 2011, Montreal had the league leader in rushing, receiving and passing. Last year, Calvillo led the league in 300 yard games and passer rating. Under Trestman he has never had a QB rating below 98.</p>
<p>Now, here are the ranks of his NFL offenses:</p>
<p>1989 Browns: 16th in yards, 14th in points</p>
<p>1995 49ers: Second in yards, first in points</p>
<p>1996 49ers: Sixth in yards, third in points</p>
<p>1998 Cardinals: 13th in yards, 15th in points</p>
<p>1999 Cardinals: 29th in yards, 30th in points</p>
<p>2000 Cardinals: 24th in yards, 29th in points</p>
<p>2002 Raiders: First in yards, second in points</p>
<p>2003 Raiders: 25th in yards, 26th in points</p>
<p>All of his Montreal teams have finished in the top five in points for.</p>
<p>Clearly, Trestman is a good offensive mind. He has led many top flight offenses and improved many QBs. Rich Gannon was a journeyman who Trestman turned into a league MVP. He has been a successful head coach, even if it isn't at the NFL level.</p>
<p>He would definitely have some great tools to work with in <span>Jay Cutler</span>, Brandon Marshall and <span>Matt Forte</span>. If Emery could infuse the offensive line with more talent, then it's likely the team could successfully run the type of system Trestman would want.</p>
https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2013/1/11/3865416/chicago-bears-coaching-search-candidate-marc-trestmanSam Householder2013-01-11T07:53:11-06:002013-01-11T07:53:11-06:00Jimmy Johnson says Trestman's the Guy
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<figcaption>Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Former Cowboys Coach and FOX TV Analyst tweets in the early morning hours that one of his guys is getting a job. The weird thing? A lot of people are still supposed to interview for that job.</p> <p>This is a thing we woke up to this morning:</p>
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<p>Looks like 2 of my guys getting NFL jobs..Chud Cleveland and my QB coach at U Trestman to Chicago</p>
— Jimmy Johnson (@JimmyJohnson) <a href="https://twitter.com/JimmyJohnson/status/289682514564497410" data-datetime="2013-01-11T10:37:48+00:00">January 11, 2013</a>
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<p>Well that's interesting enough. Marc Trestman as the head coach.</p>
<p>It seems odd that Jimmy Johnson would know this information, on the account of the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bears</a> still having several candidates to interview with. Also, there is the fact that he has nothing to do with the organization, but I'm willing to grant his ability to get sources with NFL teams.</p>
<p>If this is the case, though, and Trestman really is the guy, why not just hire him? Emery stated in his press conference last week that he wanted to have this wrapped up by next weekend. If that's the case, hire your guy, and give him a week or so to start prepping for the Senior Bowl.</p>
<p>The Bears have not said anything about this yet, and are in fact supposed to be <a target="_blank" href="http://www.windycitygridiron.com/2013/1/10/3861272/chicago-bears-to-interview-houston-texans-o-c-rick-dennison-on-friday">interviewing Rick Dennison</a> from Houston today. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-johnson-says-bears-hiring-trestman-20130111,0,7941124.story">Brad Biggs asked</a>, and the team reportedly gave him no comment:</p>
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<p>A Bears spokesman declined comment, saying the team would maintain the policy it adopted when the coaching search process began.</p>
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<p>We'll stay on top of this one for you, but if it's true, the Bears HC will be someone none of us would have expected coming out of the season. Stay tuned...</p>
<p><b>UPDATE:</b> From Jason La Canfora:</p>
<p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>As to rumors of Bears hiring Trestman- Trestman has not heard from them since interview. Was not informed if would be a finalist ...</p>&mdash; Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/status/289744966450819073" data-datetime="2013-01-11T14:45:57+00:00">January 11, 2013</a></blockquote><br><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p><b>UPDATE Deux:</b> From Herb Zurkowsky, Sportswriter at the Montreal Gazette</p>
<p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>An email from Marc Trestman: "I have not heard from the Bears and have responded in that manner on multiple levels. Thanks."</p>&mdash; Herb Zurkowsky (@HerbZurkowsky1) <a href="https://twitter.com/HerbZurkowsky1/status/289769465862823936" data-datetime="2013-01-11T16:23:18+00:00">January 11, 2013</a></blockquote><br><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2013/1/11/3865140/bears-set-to-hire-trestman-as-head-coach-per-jimmy-johnsonKev H