How the Chicago Bears Hiring Mike Tice May Impact Ability to Hire Coordinator

Former Minnesota head coach Mike "The Love Boat" Tice, who was last seen overseeing the tight ends in Jacksonville, was hired by the Chicago Bears today as the offensive line coach.

While Tice is certainly an upgrade over the college flunky the Bears had last year, it raises some red flags.

For one, why would Tice take a job that seems to be a demotion? And second, how does this affect the Bears ability to hire an offensive coordinator?

In addition to the tight ends responsibility with the Jags, Tice had the title of "Assistant Head Coach," and so a position of O-line coach seems to be a downgrade for the man. 

Does he see an opportunity to take over for Lovie Smith if the Bears decide to make a change after the season? If not, just what does he see that we don't see?

For it's a bad offensive line, and I'm sure Tice knows that. One report claims that he  wants to be in the Midwest so he could be closer to his children. But well, don't coaches travel with their teams during training camp, exhibition games and during the season?

The second point is more important anyway, because the Bears are already having trouble getting someone to coordinate the offense, so wouldn't you think that this makes it even harder?

I mean, wouldn't anyone who comes in to coach the Bears offense want to bring in at least a couple of his own guys?

However, in this case, whoever the new guy is will already have a receivers coach, a running back coach, and a line coach in place. I would think that would make the position slightly less attractive, especially for an experienced play caller.

Look, the Bears have already been rebuffed by their first choice, and refused by the Packers to even speak with their next choice. And they don't appear to be interested in Mike Martz, who would be a bad fit anyway.

So, unless they have their eye on someone coaching in the playoffs, their options are already limited.

Meanwhile, even if having other coaches in place doesn't negatively affect the Bears ability to get a guy, aren't they going about this in the wrong sequence?

Wouldn't you hire the coordinator first? It's the most important position, it would seem, so shouldn't your attention be focused squarely on that and worry about who will coach the line later?

Welcome to the Bears, who seldom do what seems to make the most sense. They often do what makes the most cents .

Don't get me wrong: I like the hiring of Mike Tice, bad reference to the Vikings party boat incident and all...it just seems a goofy way to go about this.

But hey, that's our Bears. Still, as good a football man as Tice seems to be, what impact will he make?

Remember last year when everyone said how great of a position coach Rod Marinelli was? While that may be true, he wasn't able to coach the defensive line to greatness without talent.

And I doubt Tice will be able to do so with the O-line, either, unless the talent improves. But let's hope for the best; after all, hope is all we have.