Bears fire head coach

Chicago Tribune ^ | 12/29/2003

[Thane_Banquo]

Dick Jauron, 35-46 with only one winning season in five years as the Bears head coach, has been fired with one year remaining on his contract.

He got the news about 9 a.m. Monday morning in a meeting with general manager Jerry Angelo.

"Simply put, expectations were not met," Angelo said in a Monday afternoon press conference. He also said that the team needs to win "on a more consistent basis."

[Thane_Banquo]

Jauron was possibly the worst head coach in the NFL. The Bears almost always looked like they had no idea what was going on, what they were expected to do, and what to expect from their opponents.

[Paul8148]

So do you think this is the year Jimmy Johnson comes back? If not then Dennis Green is the biggest name out there even through the Rams D coach would be my first choice.

[mattdono]

True. What's the deal...he started Rex Grossman for a couple of games and they were winning. They seemed to have a whole different attitude. And, then yesterday, he start Kordell, who is, for all intents and purposes, one of the most overrated QBs EVER?

What gives?

Grossman is the future for the Bears at QB. Not Chris "I break like a" Chandlier. Not Kordell. No wonder Jauron got fired.

It is a real shame too. The guy looked like a world beater a few years ago, looked like he was getting things on track.

I just long to be able to say "DA' BEARS!" again. 8^)

[Tacis]

Well, this will make another great opportunity for diversty candidates!! ALL team owners must interview black candidates for head coaching positions (although, there is no comparable obligation to interview white candidates for playing positions). And, with a couple of affirmative action coaches, play has to get better.

[ConservativeMan55]

I've heard rumors that Johnson is going to the Giants.

5 to 10 years ago who would have thought that these changes have taken place.

Parcells coaching the Cowboys and Johnson coaching the Giants?

[Thane_Banquo]

Jimmy isn't coming back. He likes his life as it is, and he certainly won't go to a northern team, since he doesn't like the cold.

The biggest name is, thus far, Dennis Green, but rumors are that Cowher will be out in Pittsburgh, and he will be in demand as well.

Dennis Green has an attitude problem, but so did Ditka. And so did Halas. It might work for da Bears.

[RabidBartender]

I think they started Grossman yesterday as well, but he got hurt.

[Thane_Banquo]

Well, Grossman started yesterday, but got injured on a stupid designed roll-out. So they brought in Kordell, and he promptly threw two interceptions.

[Paul8148]

Well Dennis Green will not have him throwing the ball in those two yard routes anymore.

[Stentor]

So do you think this is the year Jimmy Johnson comes back?

You don't want him. Check the stats. He gets run on too much. The fact that his team is 12-4 and he's done it without his starting offensive line and backup d-backs a good part of the year means nothing. By the way, in my profile it says I'm from Philly. It was a mistake.

[RabidBartender]

And Miami just extended Wannstedt's contract by two years, virtually guaranteeing mediocrity for the next two years. Congrats to the rest of the AFC East.

[Petronski]

...but rumors are that Cowher will be out in Pittsburgh, and he will be in demand as well.

Highly doubtful.

[RabidBartender]

Unfortunately, Dennis Green is turning into the "token" minority coach each team interviews before they go get who they really want.

A damn shame, too - I thought he did a great job in Minnesota.

[Paul8148]

Oh so December Dan will still be around.

[pctech]

Being a Bears fan, I am sad that the team has performed the way they have. They have better talent than the record indicates.

That being said, I am glad to see Jauron go, but I have the utmost respect for him as a person. He just wasn't a good head coach. He'd be great as a defensive coach, but he just can't handle the head coaching job. He got in over his head, that's all. I wish him, and his staff, all the luck and good fortune in the world.

As for a replacement, I don't really know who's on Angelo's wish list, but I would like to see a Jimmy Johnson, Jim Fassel, or even a Mike Holmgren type coach come in. I really hope Angelo puts a lot of time into his search, but I also hope he doesn't "pussy-foot around" and wait until all the good ones are snatched up.

[pctech]

Grossman started the game but got hurt. A torn ligament in his throwing hand. Stewart and Chandler came in to finish it up.

[Paul8148]

Has the Raiders coach got canned yet.

[mattdono]

Yes, you both are right. I stand corrected. It was a hand injury.

Admittedly, I caught the game right before the half and I didn't pick up on the Grossman injury.

Still, what took Jauron so long to start Grossman?

Byron Leftwich started almost every game for the Jags. Now, they didn't do anything too noteworthy, but Leftwich has more games under his belt and that is what makes a better QB in the NFL: more snaps at game speed.

I think that Grossman should have been the starter by Week 6. The offense wasn't doing anything and you need to get the future of the club the work he needs to improve.

[willieroe]

The Bears almost always looked like they had no idea what was going on, what they were expected to do, and what to expect from their opponents.

Well, Wannstedt just got his contract renewed, so that doesn't mean everything....

[pctech]

Hey, isn't the front office of the Dolphins made up of former Bear's personnel??? Make more sense as to why he was extended huh?