Lovie Smith's Replacement as Chicago Bears Head Coach Could Be Dave Toub

While the team isn't likely to make any announcements one way or the other in the next couple of days, it would not surprise me if the Bears go in-house for a replacement for Lovie Smith.

Dave Toub, current Special Teams Coordinator, has completed six seasons with the Bears. His teams have finished best in the league twice (2006 and 2007) and have ranked in the top third for five consecutive seasons. 

He was voted as the Special Teams Coach of the Year by his NFL coaching peers after the 2006 season.

While an assistant special teams and defensive line coach for Philadelphia from 2001-2003, the Eagles won the special teams titles in Toub’s first and last seasons there.   

Even during the Bears' losing seasons, Toub's units have been a silver lining in an otherwise dark cloud.

Toub has extensive coaching experience at the college level as well, spending 15 seasons coaching at the college level before making the jump to the NFL, highlighted by 12 years at Missouri (1989-2000).

In short, Toub is a well-respected coach in the league, and given that the Bears always hire coaches without previous head coaching experience, it would fit into their mold to replace Lovie with Toub.

Sure, players spent Sunday telling the media how much they desire having Lovie return as head coach. But what do you expect the players to say? If they aren't loyal and he does come back, they might be in the doghouse.

Plus, players who generally are not being held accountable get used to that kind of favorable treatment. Jobs are usually more on the line when a new sheriff comes to town.

I know this would be somewhat of a long shot, but Toub is a good man, and with a solid staff around him, he could be a fine head coach.