Comcast SportsNet’s John Mullin provided some clarity about the Bears’ present situation Monday with a look at the recent past.
Rod Marinelli, the former Bears defensive coordinator who was to be retained after Lovie Smith’s ouster, abruptly resigned because he was opposed to the hiring of Marc Trestman in 2013, Mullin reports.
Marinelli interviewed the Bears’ top three candidates — Bruce Arians, Darell Bevell and Trestman — and ranked them for Emery in that order, according to the report.
When Emery tabbed Trestman, Marinelli abruptly resigned and accepted a demotion to be a defensive line coach in Dallas.
The problems did not end with Marinelli’s exit. The exact level of Emery involvement below the head-coaching job is unclear. With Marinelli gone, however, Emery was involved in hiring Mel Tucker as defensive coordinator and Joe DeCamillis. Losing Marinelli, very well liked and respected by the players, contributed to the difficult situation into which Tucker was thrust. It was nothing against Tucker; it was the manner in which Smith and then Marinelli were treated.
Emery and Trestman were fired Monday, as was offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer. Tucker was retained — for now — and his fate will rest with the next staff.
