Al Saunders remains on the Bears’ list, just not on their Friday agenda.
Meanwhile, a former Bears linebacker wants to get in line for an interview.
Mike Singletary made it known that if the Bears called to gauge his interest in the vacant head-coaching job, he would pick up on the first ring.
“Am I interested [in the Bears’ job]? Of course I would be,” the Ravens linebackers coach said during a break in preparation for Saturday’s AFC playoff game. “Any coach would be interested. But for me, I’m very thankful to be here. The most important thing for me right now is that we go to the Super Bowl. That’s the priority.”
It would be a surprise if the Bears had mutual interest in Singletary as a serious candidate given his lack of head-coaching experience. If the Bears pursue any assistant on the Ravens’ staff, it will be Singletary’s boss, defensive coordinator Mike Nolan.
The Bears are said to be interested in meeting with Nolan next week, when sources say they also are trying to work out final details to interview former Giants coach Jim Fassel and 49ers defensive coordinator Jim Mora Jr.
General manager Jerry Angelo will meet Rams defensive coordinator Lovie Smith on Friday in St. Louis. He will be the second candidate Angelo has interviewed, the first being Patriots defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel on Wednesday night in Boston. On Thursday, Crennel interviewed with the Falcons. Patriots coach Bill Belichick doesn’t permit his assistants to speak with the media.
The Bears had discussed the possibility of interviewing Saunders on Friday, but instead the Chiefs assistant head coach-offensive coordinator will talk to the Raiders about their vacancy. Saunders turned down an offer from the University of Nebraska and turned his attention toward a head-coaching position after Chiefs head coach Dick Vermeil announced Wednesday night he would return next season.
Saunders would have been the top candidate to replace Vermeil and remains a possibility for the Bears, although the team has made only informal inquiries into his availability.
It is looking more likely that Louisiana State coach Nick Saban won’t be available for an interview, barring a last-minute change of heart. His wife, Terry, told the New Orleans Times-Picayune earlier this week that she didn’t see her husband leaving Baton Rouge for the Bears or any other NFL team.
“I’m not saying never, but we’re not going anywhere this year,” said Terry Saban, who reportedly doesn’t want to uproot two kids in school. “I don’t think Nick wants to let anyone else coach these guys.”
