Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports that according to the Bears' website, head coach Lovie Smith will remain as head coach and that he will continue to evaluate his staff in the wake of General Manager Jerry Angelo's ouster. Whether that involves embattled offensive coordinator Mike Martz remains to be seen. Presumably, Phillips and chairman of the board George McCaskey will be heard from. When business ended Monday, it appeared only the fate of Martz was in serious doubt. Now, plenty more is on the table. The Bears announced a 4 p.m. news conference and in it they said team president Ted Phillips fired Angelo, eliminating speculation whether or not he retired. Source: Author, Source
How bad does he have to be to get fired? Honestly. They've missed the playoffs 4 out of 5 years and I don't even hear whispers of him getting fired. I don't get it.
This is his last chance IMO and I think he's on borrowed time. New GM, new OC...it's all in him this yaer..
If Cutler doesn't get hurt the Bears season would have been different. And they started the season 7-3 before Cutler breaks his thumb. This after going 11-5 last season. Now if they don't get back to the playoffs next year with Cutlers return, he is most likely toast. But with Martz quitting it might be a done deal unless you finds some one whose system wont be to different or difficult to learn.
I understand that. I'm just saying coaches have been fired for much less than that. And at some point he has to be held responsible for the awful OLine that keeps getting his QB hurt. Maybe the new GM will be better in the draft than Angelo. That would help. Can't be much worse.
i don't see how they can hire a G.M. and tell him he is stuck with the coach in place. If you're paying a G.M. to hire/fire coaches and his fate is tied to the quality of his coaching staff, how is that fair?
yes, it seems to be a trend for ownership/presidents to take the side of the coach, get rid of the g.m., and plan on forcing the new g.m. to accept the head coach in place. THAT is not a g.m. in the technical definition of the job. What they're hiring is a player personnel guy, if all they want him to do is head up the drafts, free agency, re-signing contracts, handling the salary cap, etc. They should change the title of the person if he's not going to have a say in the coaching staff. that is NOT a g.m. it's just a personnel guy.
Bears collapse was all on Jerry Angelo. Even with Cutler, Forte and co. they were playing better than it's worth, and once they went down their roster was exposed for what it was. Smith most likely is on his last chance next year, but it's harsh to put the blame on him for this season's troubles.
