Toub won't be easy to replace for Bears

Whoever the Bears hire as their new head coach, he will have a difficult time replacing special teams coordinator Dave Toub, who was hired for the same job in Kansas City by new Chiefs head coach Andy Reid.

Toub was one of 13 candidates to interview for the Bears' head-coaching position. But he was not among the three finalists announced Monday — Montreal Alouettes head coach Marc Trestman, Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arian and Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell.

Toub's Bears special teams finished in the top 10 in the league in eight of his nine seasons, based on the comprehensive rankings devised by Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News. Under Toub's guidance, Bears special teams players made eight appearances in the Pro Bowl, including kick returner Devin Hester, who went three times; kick returner Johnny Knox; kicker Robbie Gould; and coverage specialists Brendon Ayanabadejo (twice) and Corey Graham.

Reid gave Toub his first NFL job when he hired him as the Eagles' assistant special teams and assistant defensive line coach in 2001. Toub and Reid previously worked together at Missouri and Texas-El Paso.

Lovie Smith hired Toub as his special teams coordinator on Jan. 24, 2004, nine days after he became the Bears' head coach.

Toub's special teams ranked No. 8 in the league in 2012 and they were in the top six in five of the six previous seasons, including No. 1 in 2006 and '07 and No. 3 in 2011.

Last week the Bears sought permission to interview Brown special teams coordinator Chris Tabor, who was Toub's assistant from 2008-10, but they were denied. Bears assistant special teams coach Kevin O'Dea remains under contract and is a possible successor to Toub.