The Chicago Bears kicked their search for a general manager into gear today, announcing that four candidates have interviews scheduled.

The club, which fired Jerry Angelo on Jan. 3, has been quiet since but eight days later it appears the process is moving to the next stage.

Kansas City Chiefs college scouting director Phil Emery, New England Patriots director of pro personnel Jason Licht, San Diego Chargers director of player personnel Jimmy Raye and New York Giants director of college scouting Marc Ross have interviews set up.

It’s possible the search could extend beyond these four candidates, and the Bears could still consider their own director of player personnel Tim Ruskell for the job.

Emery worked for the Bears from 1998 to 2004 as a Southeast regional scout. Licht is in his second stint with the Patriots and has worked for five NFL clubs. Raye had a successful run as the director of college scouting for the Chargers before being promoted as A.J. Smith’s top assistant. The Chargers have been one of the best drafting teams in the league. Ross, a Princeton graduate, has been in his current role with the Giants for five years, helping put together some strong drafts.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune