Chicago Bears Head Coach Search: Latest Rumors, Speculation on Vacant Position

The Chicago Bears were looking for a new head coach after firing Marc Trestman the day after the season ended and have decided on former Broncos coach John Fox.

Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase, Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak and Mike Shanahan were also names that had been linked to the role. Former Bills head coach Doug Marrone was also a candidate.

Continue for updates.

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Fox Named New Bears Head Coach

Friday, Jan. 16

The Bears made things official via Twitter:

Mike Klis of the Denver Post first reported Fox's deal with Chicago was done.

FOX Sports' Jay Glazer noted the years involved:

On Thursday, Jan. 15, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report reported that John Fox was set to get the head position in Chicago.

Jeff Darlington of the NFL Network reported on why he believes John Fox has the inside track on landing the head coaching job with the Bears:

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Marrone, Austin Interview with Bears

Tuesday, Jan. 13

The Chicago Bears confirmed on Tuesday the team interviewed both Doug Marrone and Teryl Austin for their head coaching vacancy:

Brian Costello of the New York Post reported back on Jan. 1 that the Bears had planned to interview Marrone.

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reported the Bears requested an interview on Jan. 9 with Austin.

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Ryan Pace, Ernie Accorsi to Lead HC Decision

Monday, Jan. 12

ESPN's Jeff Dickerson provided new details on the Bears' head coaching search:

Kevin Fishbain of ChicagoFootball.com breaks down the latest with the Bears' head coaching search:

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Kubiak Emerging as a Top Option

Sunday, Jan. 11

"Bears prepared to make a major push for Ravens OC Gary Kubiak, per source. Kubiak now free to talk with teams about HC vacancies," reported ESPN's Adam Schefter.

On Dec. 31, Dan Pompei of SportsOnEarth first reported on Chicago's interest in Kubiak. 

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Bowles' Interview a Success

Friday, Jan. 9

ESPN's Josh Weinfuss has the latest on Bowles:

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Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles' interview with theChicago Bears on Thursday “went well,” a source told ESPN. 

Bowles met with new Bears' general manager Ryan Pace. 

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It's an encouraging sign that Chicago will get a chance to meet with the Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator before the Atlanta Falcons are able to, however the Jets met with him on Wednesday according to Rich Cimini of ESPN New York.

The 51-year-old is considered one of the hottest head coaching candidates in the league after being in charge of a Cardinals defense that allowed 18.7 points a game during the 2014 regular season, good enough for fifth best in the NFL.

His Cardinals lost to the Carolina Panthers 27-16 in the Wild Card round. 

Bleacher Report's Matt Bowen breaks down who he thinks should be at the top of the Bears' wish list, including Bowles:

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Bears' New GM Ryan Pace Already Sitting in on Interviews

Thursday, Jan. 8

Adam Schefter of ESPN provides an update on new GM Ryan Pace's involvement in the hunt for a head coach:

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Shanahan Not On List Of Head Coach Prospects

Wednesday, Jan. 7

Ed Werder of ESPN reported on Mike Shanahan's prospects in Chicago as the Bears look for a new head coach:

On Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported Shanahan may still be a candidate for the Bears' head coaching vacancy:

Previously, Shanahan's name had been put forward by Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, who told reporters that he'd love to see the former Broncos and Redskins head coach in Chicago, according to Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times. 

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Del Rio Still Drawing Interest

Monday, Jan. 5

ESPN's Michael C. Wright reported a potential dilemma with the Bears considering Del Rio:

On Jan. 3, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports first reported Del Rio was being considered by the Bears:

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Bears Not Interested in Rex Ryan

Saturday, Jan. 3

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio has the latest on the Bears' search:

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Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the Bears have no interest in Rex.

It’s unclear why the Bears aren’t interested.  Former Colts, Browns, and Giants G.M. Ernie Accorsi has been working as a consultant, and it’s possible Accorsi has advised against Buddy’s son.  Regardless, Rex won’t be the coach of the Bears, barring a dramatic change of heart.

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Bears Interview Quinn, Gase

Saturday, Jan. 3

Zach Zaidman of WSCR670 in Chicago provides an update on the Bears' search for a head coach:

On Dec. 31, Albert Breer of NFL.com first linked Quinn to Chicago, while NFL Network's Ian Rapoport first connected Gase to the Bears on Dec. 30. 

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Bears Begin Coach Search After Firing Trestman

Monday, Dec. 29 

The Chicago Bears wasted no time in cleaning house, firing head coach Marc Trestman and general manager Phil Emery on Monday, per the team's official website.    

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler lobbied for his former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan to be Trestman's successor on the sidelines in the Windy City. Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times reported what Cutler had to say:

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[Shanahan is] a heck of a coach. He deserves to be a coach somewhere. He's out of the game so I'm sure he is looking to coach somewhere. My three years with him were very, very enjoyable. He does a great job of leading teams, on and off the field, and offensively he knows how to get it done.

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A source told Jahns that Shanahan has interest in being the next Bears coach, as he has ties to the Chicago area.     

However, according to Bleacher Report insider Jason Cole, the San Francisco 49ers are also mulling the possibility of courting Shanahan:

Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports 1 reported the status of the team's remaining coaching staff, citing team president and CEO Ted Phillips:

The Bears provided additional details on their coach search:

Trestman wasn't given much time to build a contender. The NFL on ESPN notes how comparatively brief his time with the Bears was:

Now, with John Fox as the decided choice, the Bears at least have a sense of direction they can go to for the next four years.