The Chicago Bears will interview Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan for their head coach opening soon, USA Today's Mike Garafolo reports. Chicago is kicking off its first coaching search in nearly a decade after firing incumbent Lovie Smith on Monday morning.
Chicago Bears coaching rumors: Mike Sullivan to interview for head coaching job
Looking to replace the defensive-minded Lovie Smith, the Bears plan to interview Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan for their head coach opening.
Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE
After allowing Smith to run things in Chicago for nine years, Bears general manager Phil Emery decided to pull the trigger and go in a new direction on Monday. Smith was hired by the Bears in 2004 by then-GM Jerry Angelo, who was replaced by Emery in January.
Eight weeks into this season, it appeared that Smith was in the midst of one of his best coaching performances, leading the Bears to a 7-1 record and an obvious path to the playoffs. The rest of the season proved to be an utter disappointment, though, as a 3-5 second half record cost the Bears a relatively likely playoff appearance.
With the defensive-minded Smith proving unable to bring a Super Bowl championship to Chicago, it appears clear that Emery seeks an offensive-minded coach to change the team’s dynamic. Smith was unable to put together even average offenses during his tenure in Chicago, something that a coach like Sullivan might be able to address.
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