A source described it as essentially an "anyone but" situation for the general manager, but authority over the coaching staff belongs to the head coach and Smith got his man after the Bears reached out to a variety of candidates at the NFL and NCAA level.
With Martz let go Monday, Smith starts the process again, this time without the ousted Angelo in the mix.
It's well known Jay Cutler had to be cajoled into the idea of working with Martz in the first place. So it's not surprising the quarterback went to Halas Hall on Tuesday and let Smith know he was in favor of moving on without Martz before the coaches had met.
The key for Smith is to find the right man. His staff has changed considerably in eight seasons with four original members still in place. Two of his most successful assistants, special teams coordinator Dave Toub and defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, came with the recommendation of former pro personnel director Bobby DePaul, who worked with both for the Eagles. Smith had the final call.
It was Smith who selected Terry Shea as offensive coordinator after consulting with Martz for someone familiar with the scheme. Ron Turner came the next year in an arranged situation. The point is Smith has handpicked two of his three offensive coordinators and the Bears are hoping the third time is the charm when it comes to the fourth coordinator in nine seasons.
"We all have made mistakes and he's going to correct it," President Ted Phillips said. "I have complete confidence in his abilities to do that."
It remains to be seen if offensive line coach Mike Tice will be considered for the position. Tice would provide continuity and begin with a clear knowledge of personnel and needs. The Bears would have to add a line coach and strong quarterbacks coach. Tice conceivably could maintain a hands-on approach with the line like defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli has with the defensive line. While Tice hasn't held a coordinator role before, he did call plays at times as the Vikings' head coach.
Candidates familiar with Tice could be considered also. Brian Billick has been seeking a head position for several years but would be an interesting addition. He and Tice worked together with the Vikings when Billick directed one of the league's most potent offenses. It's expected Jaguars offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter will be let go. Tice worked for him in Jacksonville.
Colts offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen, if let go, could be a strong candidate for the position based on his previous experience with Smith for the Buccaneers. But an NFL source said if Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey lands a head coaching job (the Jaguars and Bucs are interested in him) Christensen will go with him. The source said Mularkey will be the leading candidate in Jacksonville.
Cutler might push for Jeremy Bates, who he worked with previously with the Broncos. Bates was out of the NFL this season after one year with the Seahawks. How would Smith perceive him after Bates declined overtures from the Bears for an interview two years ago? Maybe just fine. Sources said Angelo turned off Bates.
Todd Haley doesn't have any natural ties to the situation but he's worth considering because he has proven he will adapt to the strength of his players. The Chiefs were No. 1 in the NFL in rushing last season. In 2008, when he was the offensive coordinator of the Cardinals, Arizona was ranked second in passing. The former Bears wide receivers coach (2001-03) has a reputation for developing young players but would come with a strong personality. That might mesh well with Cutler.
It's a one-man search and the pressure is on Smith. The last two times he replaced offensive coordinators, he won a division crown the next year. He might need to do that again to keep his job.
bmbiggs@tribune.com
Twitter @BradBiggs
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