Bears might target Ex-Broncos coach Fox
Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, who was the first head-coaching candidate interviewed by new Bears general manager Ryan Pace, has been attracting a lot of interest around the league.
But he may have to take a back seat now to John Fox, after the Denver Broncos parted ways with the head coach who guided them to four straight AFC West titles. Fox is expected to receive serious consideration for the Bears' job.
Bears consultant Ernie Accorsi was the New York Giants general manager from 1998-2007, while Fox was the defensive coordinator there from 1997-2001.
Fox was 46-18 with the Broncos, guiding them to the playoffs in each of his four seasons. He was 73-71 in nine years as the Panthers' head coach from 2002-10, making three trips to the playoffs. Carolina upset the Bears 29-21 at Soldier Field following the 2005 season.
Fox's career record in the postseason is 8-7, including losses in Super Bowls 38 and 48.
Fox, who will be 60 next month, issued a statement through the Broncos that read: “I am eager to continue my coaching career and look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.”
Broncos general manager John Elway also issued a statement that read, in part: “While we have made significant progress under Coach Fox, there is still work to be done. I believe this change at the head coaching position will be in the best interest of our long-term goal, which from day one has been to win World Championships.”
The 51-year-old Bowles has second interviews lined up with the Atlanta Falcons on Wednesday and with the New York Jets. Bowles and Pace spoke last Thursday about the Bears' job, just hours after Pace was hired.
Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, who is scheduled to interview with the Bears on Tuesday, also has a second interview with the Falcons on Thursday.
The Bears' first two interviews for their head-coaching position were with Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase and Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. The Bears have not revealed if they will bring either back for a second interview, but they have not ruled either one out.
The 36-year-old Gase became available for a second interview with the Bears after the Broncos were upset 24-13 at home by the Colts on Sunday in a divisional-round playoff game. The Falcons, San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills all had preliminary interviews with Gase, although the Bills have since hired Rex Ryan to succeed Doug Marrone.
Early reports out of Denver said the Broncos had parted ways not only with Fox but his entire staff, so that could cast Gase in a completely different light.
Quinn is unavailable until after Sunday's NFC title game vs. the Packers. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Jets were prepared to fly to Seattle last Saturday to hire Quinn had the Seahawks lost to the Panthers in a divisional-round game.
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