As the number of teams searching for a head coach shrinks, the list of candidates for the Chicago Bears continues to grow.
General manager Phil Emery has requested and been granted permission to interview Houston Texans offensive coordinator Rick Dennison, according to ESPN. Dennison becomes the ninth candidate to be identified on Emery’s list and the seventh with an offensive background.
NFL rules dictate that Emery will have an opportunity to meet with Dennison this week before the Texans, a wild-card winner over the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday, play at New England in the divisional round next Sunday. Emery is expected to interview Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy today.
Dennison, 54, has spent 18 seasons in the NFL with the Texans and Broncos. He has been an offensive coordinator for six years and also has a background as an offensive line and special teams coach. He played linebacker for the Broncos from 1982 to 1990 and was a member of three Super Bowl teams.
Dennison joined Texans coach Gary Kubiak in Houston in 2010 and their offenses have consistently been among the best in the NFL with a power rushing attack led by Arian Foster. The Texans also have a play-action passing game that is effective. Houston ranked eighth in points (26.0) and seven in yards (372.1) this season. In 2010, the Texans were third in yardage.
As Emery continues to add to his list of candidates, now only five teams are seeking a head coach as the Buffalo Bills hired Syracuse coach Doug Marrone overnight and the Kansas City Chiefs already filled their vacancy with Andy Reid. The Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles are reportedly locked in a battle for the services of Oregon coach Chip Kelly. The Arizona Cardinals and San Diego Chargers are also seeking a coach.
On Saturday, the name of Montreal Alouettes head coach Marc Trestman surfaced. He is a former offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in the NFL. Emery interviewed Cowboys special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis on Saturday. He has already interviewed Falcons special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong, Buccaneers offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan and Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael. He is scheduled to have interviews this coming week with Packers offensive coordinator Tom Clements and Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians.
Emery said his search would involve coaches with a defensive background but none have been indentified yet. The plan is for the Bears to develop a small group of finalists and have them go through a second round of interviews that would involve ownership and likely team president Ted Phillips. With so many candidates remaining to be intrerviewed, Emery’s first round could stretch through the entire coming week.
bmbiggs@tribune.com
Twitter @BradBiggs
Bears' list grows with Texans' Dennison, report says
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Bears' list grows with Texans' Dennison, report says
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Bears' list grows with Texans' Dennison, report says
