16°c Clear
25°c Variable cloudiness
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Bears to interview Trestman
Alouettes coach has escape clause in his CFL contract
Montreal Alouettes head coach Marc Trestman is known as an offensive guru and quarterbacks specialist. (JOHN MAHONEY / POSTMEDIA NEWS ARCHIVES)
The Chicago Bears want to talk to Marc Trestman about their vacant head-coaching job.
The NFL Network reported Saturday that the Bears will interview Trestman, the head coach of the CFL's Montreal Alouettes, for their top coaching position. Chicago fired Lovie Smith at season's end after missing the playoffs despite posting a 10-6 record.
Trestman has spent the last five seasons with Montreal, leading the club to Grey Cup titles in 2009 and 2010. The 56-year-old Minneapolis native has a 59-31 regular-season record and led the Alouettes to first place in the East Division four times.
Under Trestman, the Alouettes have advanced to the East Division final four times and are 5-3 in the post-season.
Trestman remains under contract with Montreal but is believed to have an escape clause in his CFL deal that would allow him to take a job south of the border.
Trestman also has a history with Bears starting quarterback Jay Cutler and backup Jason Campbell. He worked with both prior to them being selected in the first-round of the NFL draft -- Campbell went to Washington in 2005 out of Auburn, Cutler to Denver in 2006 out of Vanderbilt.
This won't be the first time an NFL team has spoken to Trestman about a head-coaching job. He interviewed with the Indianapolis Colts last year and seemingly made a favourable impression on first-year GM Ryan Grigson.
Earlier on Saturday, ESPN reported that Grigson was endorsing Trestman for vacant head-coaching jobs in the NFL. On Monday, a total of seven head coaches were fired.
Trestman's name has been linked to numerous NFL coaching positions pretty much since his arrival in Montreal, and with good reason given Trestman's impressive resume.
He has previous NCAA coaching experience with both Miami and North Carolina State and has also served as a quarterback coach, running back coach and offensive co-ordinator in the NFL with Minnesota (twice), Tampa Bay, Cleveland, San Francisco, Detroit, Arizona, Oakland and Miami.
Trestman is regarded as an offensive guru and a quarterback technician. Alouettes veteran passer Anthony Calvillo, 40, has flourished under Trestman, passing for more than 5,000 three times since 2008 and that year he also had a career-high 43 TD passes.
And each year, many of the NFL's top quarterback prospects look to Trestman to prepare them for their pro day as well as the league's annual combine. One of Trestman's most famous pupils was former Florida star Tim Tebow, who had been much criticized for his poor passing mechanics and long passing delivery.
-- The Canadian Press
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 6, 2013 B6
More Football
- Back to Top
- Return to Football
More Football
(1 of 3 articles for this month)
Penn State scandal debate rages on
06/17/2013 1:00 AM 0
Poll
Most Popular Football
- Bombers leaving veterans at home for game against Ticats
- For Hef, the play's the thing
- Blue Bombers Notebook
- Hefney decision is mine: Burke
- QB Hall discovers three less than four
- Etienne grabs a clue
- 5 storylines
- Winnipeg Blue Bombers release Jonathan Hefney
- CFL game an eye-opener
- Buck will be Buck
- Bombers admit a lot of work to do
- CFL tells Bombers to fix press box
- Winnipeg Blue Bombers release Jonathan Hefney
- Hefney decision is mine: Burke
- Bombers lose 24-6 to Argos in Investors Group Field debut
- Brett Cameron among Bomber cuts
- New era begins with errors
- Bombers taking Hefney at his word over pot charges
- Etienne grabs a clue
- QB Hall discovers three less than four
- Bombers admit a lot of work to do
- CFL tells Bombers to fix press box
- Winnipeg Blue Bombers release Jonathan Hefney
- Burke cracks down after tempers flare at Bomber practice
- Hefney decision is mine: Burke
- Bombers' Hefney charged with marijuana possession in S.C.
- Bombers lose 24-6 to Argos in Investors Group Field debut
- Don't count out former NFLer as QBs battle for backup position
- Brett Cameron among Bomber cuts
- No Kumbaya at this camp
- Bombers admit a lot of work to do
- New era begins with errors
- Burke picks up pieces of pre-season pummeling
- 5 storylines
- Is Hefney worth the gamble?
- Critical numbers
- CFL tells Bombers to fix press box
- Big Blue 10-1 dogs to win Grey Cup
- Bombers' Hefney charged with marijuana possession in S.C.
- A kicker play football? Don't make me laugh
- Buck 'goes long' for Winnipeg
- The Burke identity
- Freight train at fullback
- Bombers admit a lot of work to do
- Bomber greats to adorn gates
- Don't count out former NFLer as QBs battle for backup position
- Hall of Fame DE Deacon Jones of famed Fearsome Foursome, who coined term 'sack,' dead at 74
- Not enough gates to honour Blue greats
- Bombers' Hefney charged with marijuana possession in S.C.
- New era begins with errors
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.