INDIANAPOLIS — Marc Trestman was unemployed for just three weeks. The former Bears coach was in hot demand after getting fired by the Bears, interviewing with four teams, and Ravens coach John Harbaugh will readily explain why.
“Marc’s a heck of a coach, a heck of a guy,” Harbaugh said during the NFL Scouting Combine this week at Lucas Oil Stadium. “He’s really had nothing but success.”
The Ravens hired Trestman to be their next offensive coordinator after Gary Kubiak left to take over the Denver Broncos after they parted ways with current Bears coach John Fox.
When asked, Harbaugh didn’t sound concerned about how things ended for Trestman in Chicago, which included the benching of quarterback Jay Cutler in Week 16.
Off the field, there were issues for Trestman’s Bears. And on it, Trestman’s offense went from second and eighth in points scored and totals yards in 2013, respectively, to 23rd and 21st in 2014.
Trestman, who has been an NFL offensive coordinator at various times throughout his career, is taking over a Ravens offense that set franchise records for points and yards last season.
“There’s always going to be ups and downs, there’s good games and not-so-good games,” Harbaugh said. “We all have that. Marc is a very, very good football coach, very knowledgeable. But more than that he’s a great guy.
“I really trust him as a person, as a leader. I know he’s going to have a great relationship with the players. He’s got a great heart. I’m excited to see where we go as an offense. It’s like anything else. We’re a team, we build it together. Marc, he thinks that way, so it’s a good fit for us.”
Despite what happened with the Bears, Trestman’s work with quarterbacks still remains valued and respected in league circles. He interviewed with the San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers for their offensive-coordinator openings. Trestman also was scheduled to meet with the Oakland Raiders before joining the Ravens.
“Marc has really dug in, he’s really gone to work everyday, weekends, studying install tape, studying play calls from last year, and merging it with what he believes in and what he wants to do,” Harbaugh said. “I know he’s talked to Joe a few times. That’s been a huge part of it – he and Joe coming together and connecting.”
Email: ajahns@suntimes.com
Twitter: @adamjahns
