The often-chastised offensive coordinator of the Bears, who once considered entering the ministry, talks about keeping the faith in his system as the Bears prepare for Sunday’s battle in Green Bay
Q. You’re only 34, but already you have coached nine years in the NFL. Describe some of the perks and perils of being the young offensive coordinator of the Bears.
A. Rarely does somebody get to experience life with the intensity that I get to, good and bad. You can go to the amusement park and ride on the merry-go-round and just enjoy it. But life here is more like a roller coaster. When you get to call the plays for a team like the Chicago Bears in a city like this, life is full throttle. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Q. How do you handle the criticism from passionate Bears fans who are disappointed in the team’s offensive showing this season?
A. That’s something I continue to work on. My wife, Marcia, is an ordained Presbyterian minister and is the associate pastor in a large church in Libertyville. She certainly is as helpful as can be. I have a strong core of friends and a strong support group. I know that win or lose, they’re right there. That’s one of the good things about going through life with the intensity I do. You pretty much know who’s with you and who’s not.
Q. You were a quarterback for four years at the University of the South. At what point did you decide you wanted to become a coach?
A. I was a religion major in undergrad school. I considered entering the seminary or coaching. Growing up, I thought coaches had a greater influence in my life than any pastor ever did. That’s the primary reason I entered the coaching profession. Also, because I wasn’t good enough to keep playing [in the NFL].
Q. You coaches always talk about playing one game at a time, but are you concerned that you might lose your job here at the end of the season?
A. There are certainly conversations you have as a family. There are tough ones sometimes and there are great ones sometimes. I’ve had Gatorade poured on me after a game, and I’ve had beer poured on me after a game. My wife and I and our family certainly know what we’ve gotten into. We’re not naive, and we didn’t enter this job blindly. We’re grateful for all the experiences we have, and we enjoy every day of it. Dick [Jauron] sometimes comes into my office and just pounds the table and says, “You know, there are no bad days in the big leagues.” And he’s right. I have a 3 1/2-year-old son and another child on the way in June. He thinks we win them all. It’s great.
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E-mail: AskFred@tribune.com
