FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Former St. Louis Rams head coach Mike Martz is interviewing for the Bears offensive coordinator job today, and the club may make a decision on the vacancy in the coming days.
The Bears confirmed that Martz arrived at Halas Hall this afternoon for an interview.
Martz had spoken to Bears head coach Lovie Smith early in the process, but he finally got an interview today. Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks coach Kevin Rogers is believed to have made a strong impression on the Bears during an interview Thursday, and he or Martz could compel the Bears not to wait for any assistants on the two Super Bowl teams.
New Orleans Saints tight ends coach Terry Malone and Indianapolis Colts assistant head coach/ receivers coach Clyde Christensen were believed to be candidates for the Bears coordinator position.
If the Bears choose not to wait, however, the decision may not necessarily be a two-horse race. There is believed to be at least one other candidate that the Bears have been exploring.
There’s been no shortage of drama in the club’s search to fill their vacancies.
The Bears lined up an interview with USC offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates, but he cancelled and accepted a job with the Seattle Seahawks. Meanwhile, their top choice for the defensive coordinator post, Perry Fewell, accepted the same job from the New York Giants.
As for Martz, he and Smith have plenty of history; Smith was Martz’a defensive coordinator in St. Louis. But Martz will have to prove several things today. First, that he isn’t going to ignore running the ball, which is essential in Chicago yet goes against the grain of his track record. And second, that he can co-exist with his players and coaches, particularly assistant head coach Rod Marinelli, who fired Martz when he was the head coach of the Detroit Lions.
