Bears' coaching candidate denies report of hiring
Montreal Alouettes head coach Marc Trestman denied a Twitter report from Fox Sports analyst and former NFL head coach Jimmy Johnson that indicated Trestman has been told he would be hired as the Bears' head coach.
In an email to the Montreal Gazette, Trestman wrote: “I have not heard from the Bears and have responded in that manner on multiple levels. Thanks.”
Trestman, who was Johnson's quarterbacks coach at the University of Miami in the early 1980s, had an eight-hour interview with the Bears on Monday. He is one of 13 known candidates for the job, four of whom have yet to interview for the first time.
Bears general manager Phil Emery, who is conducting the search for Lovie Smith's successor, said before the process started that the field would be reduced to 2-3 finalists who would have a second interview with team officials before a final decision is made.
Johnson's early-Friday morning tweet read: “Looks like 2 of my guys getting NFL jobs … Chud Cleveland and my QB coach at U Trestman to Chicago.”
Former Johnson assistant Rob Chudzinski was hired as the Browns' head coach Thursday night. He was previously Ron Rivera's offensive coordinator with the Carolina Panthers.
The Bears are scheduled to interview Houston Texans offensive coordinator Rick Dennison today, Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell Saturday and Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians on Sunday.
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