Bears hire Holt to coach offensive line

Bears coach Lovie Smith completed his staff Wednesday afternoon by hiring Tim Holt as the team's offensive line coach. Holt replaces last year's offensive line coach Mike Tice, who was promoted to offensive coordinator.

Holt has 17 years of coaching experience, including the last three with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Last season he was the Bucs' assistant offensive line coach after working as an offensive assistant coach for the team in 2010, concentrating most of his work on the offensive line. He joined Tampa Bay in 2009 as a coaching intern, concentrating on tight ends and helping with the offensive line.

In the last two seasons, the Bucs sent two offensive linemen to the Pro Bowl, guard Davin Joseph (2011) and left tackle Donald Penn (2010). In those two seasons, the Bucs' 4.5-yard average per carry was the seventh best in the NFL.

Before joining the Bucs, Holt spent 14 seasons (1995-2008) as a college coach, including 10 working with offensive linemen. He began at his alma mater, Southern Connecticut State, in 1995, then at Lehigh (1997-98) and Cornell (1999-2000). From 2001-03, Holt was the offensive line coach/offensive coordinator at American International before returning to SCS to coach the running backs for three seasons (2005-07). Holt's last collegiate stop was Stonehill College in 2008 as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator.

Holt played offensive line for four seasons (1991-94) Southern Connecticut State and was a three-year letter winner.