Bears to interview Austin; Kubiak stays put
The Bears have scheduled an interview with one head-coaching candidate, while another potential candidate removed himself from consideration.
Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin is scheduled for an interview Tuesday. But Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak, in whom the Bears were reported to have serious interest, is staying put in Baltimore.
In his first season as an NFL defensive coordinator, the 49-year-old Austin directed the NFL's No. 2 defense in points and yards allowed, behind only the Seattle Seahawks. The Lions were also No. 1 in the NFL, allowing just 69.3 yards per game, tied for third in interceptions and eight in sacks.
The Lions accomplished all that despite missing two of their top defenders, linebacker Stephen Tulloch and tackle Nick Fairley.
"He came in here and set down a foundation that, 'This is what we're going to do as a defense,'" Fairley told the Detroit Free Press. "'This is our DNA on defense, this is how we're going to make people fear us, and this is what we're going to do.'"
Austin was the Ravens' secondary coach from 2011-13 and the Florida Gators' defensive coordinator in 2010. He was a defensive backs coach for Arizona Cardinals (2007-09) and the Seattle Seahawks (2003-06) before that.
Kubiak seemed to be a natural fit for the Bears, especially if they decided to prioritize previous head-coaching experience or wanted yet another coach to take a shot at maximizing quarterback Jay Cutler's potential.
Kubiak has more head-coaching experience than any of the leading contenders, with the exception of Mike Shanahan. Prior to taking over the Ravens' offense in 2014, Kubiak spent eight seasons as the Houston Texans' head coach, compiling a 61-64 record in eight seasons.
The Texans made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, including 2012, when they went 12-4. But the very next season he was fired after his team started 2-11.
But the 53-year-old Kubiak announced Sunday night that he would remain with the Ravens, a day after their 35-31 loss to the Patriots in New England. Under Kubiak this year, the Ravens averaged a franchise-record 364.9 yards of total offense this season.
Earlier on Sunday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Bears were prepared to "make a major push" for Kubiak.
"It is flattering and humbling to be invited to interview for a number of NFL head coaching positions, and I greatly appreciate these opportunities," Kubiak said in a statement. "But I have decided to stay with the Ravens."
So, for now, new Bears general manager Ryan Pace will focus on Tuesday's interview with Austin. Just hours after Pace was hired last Thursday, he interviewed Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, the only known candidate to meet with the new GM so far.
The previous week, Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase and Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn interviewed with Bears chairman George McCaskey, team president and CEO Ted Phillips and consultant Ernie Accorsi.
There are no reports yet that the Bears plan second interviews of Gase or Quinn, which would include Pace.
Bowles has a second interview scheduled with the 49ers and is reportedly a semifinalist for the Falcons' head-coaching job, along with Quinn, who is also a favorite of the Jets.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Bears and 49ers are both "very interested" in Gase.
When he was introduced as the sixth GM in Bears history last Friday, Pace wouldn't mention any names regarding the head-coaching search, but he knows what he's looking for.
"It doesn't matter if it's an offensive or defensive coach," Pace said. "I'm looking for the best head coach that has the traits we're looking for, (and) that's confidence, charisma, discipline, leadership, those types of things. The best man for the job."
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