Bears turn attention to defensive coordinator

Bears general manager Jerry Angelo admitted the search for an offensive coordinator consumed most of his and coach Lovie Smith's time and energy, but now they will focus on finding a defensive coordinator.

"We started out trying to do both, and it became much too complicated," Angelo said. "The process, the policies we had to adhere to with the league, the things we had to be sensitive about with the colleges - it's very, very difficult to juggle all the things at one time.

"So we stopped and said, 'Let's just focus on the offensive coordinator.' I said way back when that this is the most important hire that we have to make. We didn't want to spread ourselves too thin.

"We wanted to make sure we did everything we could in terms of research, uncovering all possible candidates, and I feel very good that we did do that.

"In the end we had to make a decision, and we weren't going to put a gun to our head in terms of a time line."

Smith said he's keeping all options open for the defensive coordinator spot, which means assistant head coach/defensive line coach Rod Marinelli could get the job.

Perry Fewell is the only candidate to interview so far, but he accepted the same job with the New York Giants.

The Bears also need to add a quarterbacks coach and a tight ends coach, but those pieces could fall quickly into place. Mike Tice already has been hired as offensive line coach.

"I wanted to have the (entire) staff in place by the Super Bowl," Smith said. "That was kind of the date that I had in my mind, and I feel like we'll be able to get it done."

Offensive coordinator Mike Martz will have a say in who is offered those positions.

"I wanted to get the coordinator in place (first) for him to have a say on some of the position (coaches)," Smith said. "Mike will be a part of it, and we are making progress."