Emery Picks Finalists For Bears Head Coach

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Jan 15, 2013 4:00PM

And then there were three. Bears GM Phil Emery's search for the team's next head coach has apparently moved to the next phase, with three finalists invited for second interviews. According to reports, the three remaining coaches in the running for the Bears job are Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians and Montreal Alouettes head coach Marc Trestman.

Not surprisingly, all three coaches on the short list are offensive specialists and all have made names for themselves working with quarterbacks. The Bears offense, despite the addition of Brandon Marshall, sputtered all season and finished the season ranked 28th in total offense. While the Bears' points per game was middle of the pack, that was helped by a defense that nearly tied a record for scoring in a season.

Trestman worked for eight NFL teams, primarily as quarterbacks coach, before jumping to the CFL to become head coach of the Montreal Alouettes. During his five year tenure in Canada, he has compiled a 59-31 record and won two Grey Cups. He is also known for turning journeyman QB Rich Gannon into a pro bowler who led the Oakland Raiders to Super Bowl XXXXVII.

Arians might be in line to win Coach of the Year after helping lead the Colts to the playoffs as interim head coach while Chuck Pagano was on medical leave battling cancer. In addition to his impressive work with rookie Andrew Luck this year, he has worked with Ben Roethlisberger and Peyton Manning in the past.

Bevell also made a name for himself working with a rookie QB. Much less hyped coming into the league than Luck or Robert Griffin III, Seahawks rookie quarterback Russell Wilson helped lead the team into the playoffs as the third round pick ended up with the league's fourth best QB rating (100.0). Bevell has also worked with Brett Favre in both Green Bay and Minnesota.

Bevell has his second interview today, and the others are expected to meeting with Emery within the next couple days as well. A decision could come shortly, as Emery has indicated he's like his coaching staff in place before scouting the Senior Bowl, which begins next Monday.

It's possible that some of the Bears assistant coaches may remain under a new regime, especially on the defensive side of the ball. We wouldn't be surprised to see Rod Marinelli remain as defensive coordinator given the success of that unit and his familiarity with that side of the roster. However, expect many of the coaches on offense to be let go once a new head coach is in place. And Dave Toub, the Bears' special teams coordinator who also interviewed for the top job, appears to be heading to Kansas City to join Andy Reid's staff.

We guess Emery wasn't able to lure Bill Cowher, our top pick, out of retirement after all ... or didn't want tp spend the money. Money was also apparently a reason for not moving forward with Broncos OC Mike McCoy, who appears headed to San Diego or Arizona after the Bears declined to enter a bidding war for his services.