Minnesota let Chicago talk to assistant 2 years ago Brad Biggs
The search by the Minnesota Vikings to find a defensive coordinator continues, but it’s not one that will go through Chicago.
The Bears denied permission for the Vikings to interview secondary coach Jon Hoke for their opening. Hoke, who is signed through the 2012 season, is the second position coach the Bears have denied permission to speak to another team about a coordinator job in two years. Last offseason, offensive line coach Mike Tice was prevented from talking with the Tennessee Titans about becoming their offensive coordinator.
"Hopefully, we'll have some guys on our staff get an opportunity to move up, whether that be assistant coaches moving into coordinator's roles," Bears coach Lovie Smith said Jan. 2. "Or I'd like to see someday where some guys on our staff will get an opportunity to become head coaches in the NFL."
Special teams coordinator Dave Toub has interviewed to become the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. But NFL teams are only required to grant permission for assistants under contract to interview with another team if it is for a head job.
Hoke interviewed with the Philadelphia Eagles about becoming their defensive coordinator last offseason, but he was coming out of contract. He retuned on a two-year deal and the Bears are not going to let him talk to a NFC North Division rival. That’s not too surprising, but when roles were reversed in 2010, the Vikings allowed an assistant to come meet with the Bears. As ESPN.com NFC North blogger Kevin Seifert pointed out, the Vikings allowed Kevin Rogers, their quarterbacks coach at the time, to interview to become the offensive coordinator of the Bears.
Hoke worked previously as a coordinator under Steve Spurrier at Florida. He’s worked on Smith’s staff for three seasons and veteran cornerback Charles Tillman was selected to his first Pro Bowl this season.
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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune
More and more instances are showing the Bears lack of professionalism. They are creating a culture of disatsifaction where people won't want to work if they aren't granted opportunities to move up. Add to that the bad rapport with other teams, e.g. Ravens during the draft, and you have an organization frowned upon by the league.
I don't know Matt. The Packers wouldn't let QB coach Tom Clement interview with the Bears for the OC job that went to Martz. I am not going to defend the Bears organization as it is dysfunctional but what you're saying is a bit of a reach and piling on.
You are right on BearMarket. This is pretty standard stuff in the NFL and everyone knows it, so no one is offended. Just look at Tice, who last offseason was asked to interview for a offensive coordinator job and was denied by the Bears. Didn't stop him from extending his contract with the Bears right after which has led to his being named offensive coordinator this offseason with the Bears. That is just business as usual in the NFL.
Jan 17, 2012
11:27 AM
That seems pretty self-serving. The Bears must realize that the Vikings are not in a situation to compete with them in the next couple of years. With the Bears' offenvive changes in the front office, its not like this guy will be able to give up much of their trade secrets to the new staff or anything. You know what you are getting when you play the Bears defense: 4-3 Tampa-2 with some occasional zone blitzes.