Special teams assistant O’Dea leaves for Jets

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The Bears just got some more work to do this weekend at the combine.

They need to replace an assistant coach as Kevin ODea, the No. 2 special teams coach, has left to take over the top position with the New York Jets.

ODea interviewed with coach Eric Mangini in New York last week. He will replace veteran Mike Westhoff, who has taken a leave of absence for at least a year as he recovers from a ninth surgery in his left leg to battle bione cancer.

The Bears ranked first in the league in special teams the past two seasons, and ODea inherits a bunch that was 13th in 2007.

The Bears hired quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton after interviewing him at the combine last year.

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