http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000127052/article/marc-trestman-to-be-next-chicago-bears-coach It's been rumoured for a few days, but the Bears have now appointed CFL's Montreal Alouettes HC Trestman as their new HC. When was the last time a CFL coach went straight to a HC gig in the NFL? Pretty bold move, but as he's an offensively minded coach it could pay off big time....or flop spectacularly.
A lot of NFL experience. Some college too. Diverse and word is he's a very bright offensive mind. Plus he can coach QB's. I got my hands on his QB manual in the past and he explains things so well. Makes sense as to why his players play so well.
Risky though, his problem won't be X's and O's, it will be earning the trust of NFLers. They also hired the Saints interim HC to be OC. Bears are also an older team who they hire as DefCord will be crucial Dave Toub wound up in KC FWIW
He was part of the 4-headed, in-fighting OC monster here in 2004 that followed Joe Collier re-demoting himself two days after accepting the job. Going into 2004, it was Trestman's belief that Sage Rosenfels was the best QB on the roster. Really interesting hire.
Arguably, was not far from wrong on that one! Ran a tight ship in Montreal, the team was always well coached and prepared, and one always had the sense you may beat them once, but they will adjust and beat you the next time, very difficult team to sweep even with physical talent disparities.
I don't think it's any more risky than hiring Bruce Arians or Darrell Bevell to lead your squad. I'd take Trestmans' resume over those guys any day. Sounds like he may retain Rod Marinelli for the D, which would be smart in my opinion, that way there is some sort of continuation on the defensive side of the ball. With head coaches you never really know, but I like the Bears thinking outside the box on this one.
Lots of expectations in Chicago though, and I'm not sure that roster measures up to those expectations. Would not want Trestman, the first CFL to NFL coach since Marv Levy, set up to fail.
At one time, when he was with the 49ers IIRC his attitude and 'arrogance' was seen as a big red flag. I didn't understand why this was such an issue in an industry filled with egos the size of the Rock of Gibraltar, but I remember that was one thing that was said to be why he didn't get an NFL gig early on. His intelligence has never been questioned.
2005 and 2006 he was OC at NC State. In 2007, he worked as a consultant to New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton
No, I suspected Trestman would wind up with a NFL HC gig, but, his team was just not all that interesting to me. From an CFL to NFL pov his roster was just not worth really taking a look at closely, thus his book was not either. I do think it interesting that Andrew Hawkins rarely played in Montreal, but did well in Cinci, it tells me he wants a thorough knowledge of the game before he will put a player on the field, no matter how good they could be.
The guy looks like a slimey pedifile. Seemed weird at his press conference, a little too excited. That's all I have to add...