While all around him with losing records are fearful of losing their jobs, Bears coach Dave Wannstedt is able to see his future and keep hope alive.
The Bears finished 4-12 after dropping a 31-15 decision at Tampa Bay. Wannstedt has a 36-44 record since replacing Mike Ditka in 1993 and his teams have been to the playoffs once in five years.
Wannstedt’s contract calls for him to receive $3.5 million over its final three years.
Meanwhile, beleaguered coaches such as Barry Switzer of Dallas must sweat out their fates.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has dropped hints that a decision is at least six weeks away.
“We may go to the end of February before anything is decided on our staff,” Jones said last Wednesday, before the Cowboys ended the season 6-10 with a home loss to the New York Giants. “We may not even make a statement. It just may become evident on what we plan to do as we look at free agency, attend combines, and prepare for the draft.”
Dallas missed the playoffs for the first time since 1990.
“I did as good a job as when we won the Super Bowl, probably a little bit better considering some of the younger players,” Switzer said.
Dallas has won three Super Bowls in the 1990s, including one in Switzer’s second season as coach.
Three times a charm: Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre has at least one person who wants to see him selected as the league’s most valuable player for an NFL-record third straight year.
“I think he should get it. I mean, there are a lot of great players in the league, but I think he should get it,” said Packers coach Mike Holmgren.
Youth also served: Jerry Manuel of the White Sox is the first minority manager hired by a major-league baseball team in the last five years.
“Obviously, there probably is a sense of responsibility, but in terms of additional pressure, no, I don’t feel that,” said Manuel, 43. “If I can keep my ego in check and be the person I always have been, I don’t think there will be any problems as far as me representing minority managers. I want to represent young managers also. I think that is important, as well. There are a lot of young people who are looking to get an opportunity, regardless of race.”
Coming attractions: Northwestern football coach Gary Barnett will be the featured speaker March 12 at the 71st annual dinner meeting of the Better Business Bureau of Chicago & Northern Illinois at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Call 312-245-2510. Tickets for tables of 10 are $1,600 a table. . . . Wolves winger Tim Breslin and team mascot “Skates” will be at ComEd Skate on State Monday for autographs and photos. . . . The Rosen Group of Chicago has secured Planet Hollywood and Grant Manufacturing as main sponsors for Angel “El Diablo” Manfredy, the current WBU junior lightweight world boxing champion. Manfredy will be featured on HBO’s Main Event Fight on Jan. 17. . . . Villard Books, a division of Random House Inc., has signed up a new book by super agent Leigh Steinberg for publication next fall. The book, as yet untitled, will be co-written by Mike D’Orso. . . . An autographed official game ball from the Bulls’ 1996-97 championship season has been donated to Winona State University in Minnesota. The highest bid for the ball will raise funds for academic scholarships for athletic training students at WSU. The basketball was donated by WSU alumnus Wally Blase, the assistant athletic trainer for the Bulls under Chip Schaefer.
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Send e-mail to Fred Mitchell at Kick3485@aol.com
