Ian Rapoport✔@rapsheet #Bears GM Ryan Pace will lead the search for the replacement for John Fox. They’ll look at offensive minds to work with promising QB Mitch Trubisky, while defensive coordinator Vic Fangio could get a look as well
The results-based business of the NFL caught up to John Fox when the Bears relieved the head coach of his duties Monday, according to two people with knowledge of the situation who requested anonymity because the team did not immediately announce the news.
The long-expected move ended Fox’s three-year oversight of a rebuilding effort that has failed to produce gains in the standings. With a 14-34 record after Sunday’s season-ending loss to the Vikings, his .292 winning percentage is the second-worst of any coach in franchise history, ahead of only Abe Gibron (.274 from 1972-74).
General manager Ryan Pace will immediately begin the upcoming coaching search, guided by his deep-rooted belief in the importance of quality quarterback play. The plan is to conduct a thorough search that includes coaches in the NFL and college. Pace will center the search on offensive strategists who can maximize the development of quarterback Mitch Trubisky, two people with knowledge of the situation said.
The Bears will begin interviewing candidates this week. NFL rules permit first interviews through Jan. 7 with assistant coaches on playoff teams that have a first-round bye. Assistants for teams that win their respective wild-card games may participate in first interviews during the week of the divisional round (Jan. 8-14). Assistants for teams that missed the postseason can interview anytime after receiving permission from their employer.
Pace remains at the GM post where he has amassed the same record as Fox since they both were hired in January 2015. He maintains control of the 53-man roster, a dynamic that will help shape the pool of coaching candidates.
The Bears jettisoned Fox after their fourth consecutive last-place finish and third on his watch. No coach in franchise history has survived three straight losing seasons; Fox is the fourth to meet such a fate. With him as coach, they were 3-15 against NFC North opponents and 8-19 in games decided by eight or fewer points.
His job status was in question from the outset of this season, which was the penultimate year of the four-year contract he signed in 2015. Now, the Bears will seek the 16th coach in franchise history and their fourth since 2012.
Fox and Pace were on different timelines from the start, which is one reason why the GM operated with more job security amid the disappointing results on the field. Pace signed a five-year contract before he hired Fox to the four-year deal.
Pace’s aggressive and secretive move last offseason to trade up to draft Trubisky second overall further differentiated his timeline from Fox’s. Trubisky started 12 games as a rookie and steadily improved, flashing the potential to develop into an accurate, athletic pocket-passer.
Fox, 62, initially appealed to Pace because of his track record of quick turnarounds. Pace, 40, was (and still is) the NFL’s youngest GM, and Fox had experience to help steady the operation as Pace settled into his role. Fox coached the Panthers from 2002-10 and the Broncos from 2011-14, losing in the Super Bowl with both teams. In both jobs, Fox’s teams won their respective division titles in his second season.
The Bears’ team chemistry was rotten when they arrived three years ago, and Fox helped improve it by living up to his reputation for catering to players. He became known as a fireman who helped keep peace as the team has battled repeated injury problems and the frustrations of losing. After a five-game losing streak dropped the Bears to 3-9 and sealed Fox’s fate, the team played out the string with high effort and relatively little drama.
Fox didn’t distinguish himself as a game strategist, though, and at this next stage of the rebuilding project, Pace covets a coach and staff that will give the Bears an edge on game day in addition to helping Trubisky thrive.
Soon, the list of candidates will begin to crystallize, as a familiar reboot awaits.
Pace will center the search on offensive strategists who can maximize the development of quarterback Mitch Trubisky, two people with knowledge of the situation said.
Great. As if Trubisky is the only important player on that team.
Not surprising and it needed to be done. Fox was hurting Mitch’s development more than helping. The team needs a spark and hopefully they can find it.
There are going to be a lot of teams hiring new coaches so they need to act fast. It should be a sought after job with their history, the market, a bunch of young players along with a possible franchise QB to work with. Any forget the high draft pick either
Ian Rapoport✔@rapsheet #Bears GM Ryan Pace will lead the search for the replacement for John Fox. They’ll look at offensive minds to work with promising QB Mitch Trubisky, while defensive coordinator Vic Fangio could get a look as well
Still hoping they'll fire Loggains as well.
I read somewhere that he's considering leaving pro football altogether and taking up writing short stories.
Pace will center the search on offensive strategists who can maximize the development of quarterback Mitch Trubisky, two people with knowledge of the situation said.
Great. As if Trubisky is the only important player on that team.
And so it begins...
To be honest, he is the most important player on the team. If Mitch doesn't pan out then its another reboot in 2-3 years. They (Pace/McCasky) have to have Mitch as the number one reason to hire a coach. Doesn't have to be an OFF guy either as long as he/she can present a good plan for an OC/QB-coach who can take Mitch to a higher level of play.
Ian Rapoport✔@rapsheet #Bears GM Ryan Pace will lead the search for the replacement for John Fox. They’ll look at offensive minds to work with promising QB Mitch Trubisky, while defensive coordinator Vic Fangio could get a look as well
Still hoping they'll fire Loggains as well.
I read somewhere that he's considering leaving pro football altogether and taking up writing short stories.
Short stories with predictable plots, and his trademark writing gimmick? every story ends the same identical way.