Is Chicago ready for another Fridge?
Ready or not, two sources familiar with the process said Tuesday that the Bears are strongly considering Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen, whose nickname happens to be the same as former Bears defensive tackle William Perry.
Friedgen’s ascension to the Bears job would make sense on several fronts.
Tom Coughlin taking the Giants job on Tuesday is an indication Louisiana State coach Nick Saban, considered the first choice of Bears general manager Jerry Angelo, will decide to stay.
Saban has yet to sign a new contract proposal from LSU, and he kept the door to the NFL ajar when he told The Associated Press the contract isn’t to his liking.
The Bears have interviewed three defensive coordinators with plans to meet with a fourth–Mike Nolan of the Ravens– Thursday. Monday’s interview with 49ers defensive coordinator Jim Mora “went very well,” according to Mora, and Angelo agreed.
Still, Angelo identified offense among his top priorities in finding a new coach.
Friedgen, 56, carries a reputation as the kind of offensive wizard Angelo was talking about and also has five seasons of NFL coaching experience on the San Diego staff from 1992-96, including a Super Bowl run in his first year as the Chargers’ offensive coordinator in ’94.
Additionally, pro personnel director Bobby DePaul, a highly respected voice in the Bears’ front office, played linebacker at Maryland in 1982-83 when Friedgen was an assistant under Bobby Ross, and it’s believed DePaul has pushed the idea to Angelo.
Friedgen as recently as Saturday tried to distance himself from NFL rumors.
“Right now, I’m not interested in doing those things [in the NFL],” Friedgen told The Washington Post.
But until Friedgen makes a statement privately or publicly that takes him out of the running, NFL teams like the Bears will continue to discuss the possibility of hiring the guy who saved Maryland football.
After his first turnaround season at Maryland (which included an Orange Bowl berth that resulted in a $12 million payout), the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were set to offer Friedgen their head coaching job that eventually went to Jon Gruden.
But the Maryland coach pulled out of the running when he returned to campus after the interview and found his Terrapins players questioning his loyalty. His ties to Maryland and college football run deep.
“In college, I saw that I had an effect on kids’ lives. There’s a bond that forms,” Friedgen said. “Pro football is more of a business.”
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Edited by Michael Kellams (mkellams@tribune.com)
