Bowles' reputation built on tough defenses
Thursday's interview with Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles at Halas Hall brings to three the number of head-coaching candidates who have spoken with Bears chairman George McCaskey and team president and CEO Ted Phillips.
Bowles had originally been slated for a Saturday interview with the Bears, but he was moved up in the rotation when the Atlanta Falcons were forced to postpone their Thursday interview with Bowles after the death of team owner Arthur Blank's mother.
Before meeting with the Bears, Bowles interviewed for the New York Jets' head-coaching position on Wednesday, and he's scheduled to meet with the San Francisco 49ers on Friday, and rescheduled to meet with the Falcons Saturday.
McCaskey and Phillips, who are working with adviser Ernie Accorsi, previously interviewed Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase.
The 51-year-old Bowles has led the Cardinals' defense for the last two seasons. The Cards were fifth this year in fewest points allowed, permitting an average of 18.7 per game, and 10th in interception percentage, but did not finish in the top 10 in any other significant defensive category. Arizona was 29th in passing yards allowed (just one spot ahead of the Bears). The Cardinals were also 24th in total yards allowed (368.2 per game, just 9 less than the Bears).
Bowles strongly favors a 3-4 defensive scheme, which does not fit the Bears' personnel and would require either a departure from their 4-3 scheme or major changes of personnel.
In 2009, he interviewed for the Detroit Lions' head-coaching job, which went to Jim Schwartz. Last season, Bowles interviewed for the top job with the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns.
In 2013, the Cardinals led the NFL in fewest rushing yards allowed (1,351), which was also the fewest allowed in franchise history in a 16-game schedule. They were No. 2 in average gain per rushing play.
The year before, the Cardinals were 28th in rushing yards allowed. That same year, Arizona was also No. 7 in points allowed (20.3), No. 6 in total yards allowed (317.4 per game), No. 4 in yards per play and No. 6 in average gain per pass play.
Bowles was the Philadelphia Eagles' defensive coordinator for the final 10 games of the 2012 season, when he was promoted from secondary coach after Juan Castillo was fired.
After eight seasons as an NFL safety, where he was a starter on the Washington team that won Super Bowl XXII, Bowles spent two years in the Green Bay Packers' personnel department and then three years as a college defensive coordinator (Morehouse College and Grambling State).
He began his NFL coaching career in 2000 as a defensive backs coach for one season with the New York Jets, four years with the Cleveland Browns, three years with the Dallas Cowboys (2005-07) and four years with the Miami Dolphins (2008-11).
With the Dolphins, Bowles had the dual title of secondary coach and assistant head coach. In his final year in Miami, he took over as the interim head coach when Tony Sparano was fired late in the season. In that role, Bowles had a 2-1 record.
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