Bears interview Zampese for offensive coordinator

Posted January 12, 2010 10:00 pm

By Bob LeGere

Although former USC quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates canceled his scheduled interview at Halas Hall on Tuesday after deciding to follow Pete Carroll to the Seattle Seahawks, Bears head coach Lovie Smith took the opportunity to interview Bengals quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese for the offensive coordinator position, according to Internet reports.

The 42-year-old Zampese has spent the past 11 years as an NFL assistant, including the previous seven as the Bengals' quarterbacks coach, where he has mentored Carson Palmer. Palmer threw for 12,002 yards in the three seasons from 2005-07 under Zampese, including 86 touchdown passes, 45 interceptions and a 93.6 passer rating.

Zampese interviewed for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offensive coordinator position a year ago. That job went to Jeff Jagodzinski, who was fired just before the start of the season and replaced by former Bears quarterbacks coach Greg Olson.

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