Chicago Bears Still Searching for New OC

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The firing of Ron Turner as offensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears finally became official on Tuesday. Now the team must decide which available OC can help Jay Cutler rebound from a miserable showing in 2009.

There are a number of interesting candidates apparently in the running. Mike Martz wants the job but hasn’t been contacted yet. Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times would like to throw Tennessee Titans QB coach Craig Johnson’s name into the hat. Brian Schottenheimer, Kevin Gilbride and Cam Cameron have also been mentioned as possible candidates but, according to Adam Schefter, Cutler might want to be reunited with Jeremy Bates.

But if current quarterback Jay Cutler has anything to say about who might replace Turner, he’s likely to lobby for current USC offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates, according to multiple sources who have talked with ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Cutler knows Bates from their days in Denver, when Bates was an assistant to Mike Shanahan and worked with Cutler. After Shanahan was fired, Cutler told the team he would only stay in Denver if Bates stayed, according to Schefter’s sources.

Bates left the Broncos to coach at USC, where the Trojans struggled (for them) to an 8-4 record. Cutler left for the Bears, who are 5-7 and are currently ranked 24th in the 32-team NFL in yards per game and are 22nd in scoring.

Bears coach Lovie Smith declined comment on any impending changes.

The Bears may have even contacted Bates to gauge his level of interest. I find this amusing since Pete Carroll and most USC fans would probably be happy to help Bates pack his belongings.

Hey, I have an idea… as long as they are considering college coaches for the position, I would like to nominate LSU OC Gary Crowton. Crowton is widely recognized as an “offensive genius” and even has a history with the organization.

As a life-long LSU Tiger fan, I can assure you we would consider it a huge favor if the Bears (or anyone else) would take Crowton off our hands. Please?