Thread: Titans have interest in Bears OL coach Tice

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...speak-to-tice/

We still have a POS OL.

Originally Posted by The Benjamin

I am just making a statement DB. People do not tend to like being told they can not advance in their careers.

seemed to work out ok for tom clemments and packers.. just saying : ) in football happens alot and football is different from the "normal" world, where only one industry(NFL) and 32 jobs.. unlike the world where many industries and millions of companies.. apples and oranges to a different field is the point.

Bears deny Titans permission to interview Tice

Source says he was Tennessee's top candidate to be offensive coordinator

Bears coach Lovie Smith has always said he'll support assistant coaches with opportunities for advancement, but the Bears made a decision Monday that was best for them when they denied the Titans permission to interview Mike Tice.

Tennessee wanted to meet with Tice about becoming the offensive coordinator on Mike Munchak's new staff, and one source said he had become the No. 1 candidate. But the Titans' official request was rejected.

That means Tice, who is signed through 2011, will remain as the offensive line coach for at least one more season. NFL teams are required only to grant permission if an assistant has an opportunity to become a head coach.

General manager Jerry Angelo and Smith have placed faith and control of the line in the hands of Tice, and the rebuilding process is expected to continue this offseason. Angelo and Smith have praised Tice for being one of the finest line coaches in the NFL. At this point, the Bears would have had difficulty finding a replacement.



But it becomes a delicate situation when teams prevent assistants from exploring a chance for advancement. No one wants to work in an environment where they feel like opportunities for personal growth are not respected.

It's unknown if the Bears have offered Tice a raise or new contract. Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli also has the title of assistant head coach, something he was given when he was hired as the team's defensive line coach in 2009.

bmbiggs@tribune.com

Holding on to Tice the right move

Posted by Bob LeGere on Tue, 02/15/2011 - 00:39

While it may not have been in the best interests of advancing Mike Tice’s career, the Bears’ refusal to grant the Tennessee Titans permission to talk to him about their offensive coordinator vacancy was the right move for the Bears.

Lovie Smith has usually been in favor of his assistants taking better jobs, even when it meant losing talented coaches, but Tice’s situation is unique. He has been instrumental in converting a mediocre group into a unit that was good enough to help the Bears get to the NFC championship game.

But there is still much work to be done before the Bears’ offensive line is a championship-caliber group.
Tice did excellent work last season, especially with seventh-round draft pick J’Marcus Webb, who started the final 14 games, including two in the playoffs and showed excellent potential. And, with the Bears expected to choose at least one offensive lineman early in this year’s draft, Tice’s experience and expertise will be needed again.

In addition, at this late date, the Bears would find it impossible to hire a replacement with anywhere close to Tice’s qualifications. And, with a work stoppage a virtual certainty, the last thing an offensive line that is still a work in progress needs is a new coach.
Keeping Tice on staff was the right thing to do for the team.

Giving Tice a new contract – and a raise – would be the right thing to do for him.

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com...mike-tice.html

Bears deny Titans' request to interview Tice
February 14, 2011 4:29 PM | 12 Comments
miketiceblogbiggs.jpgBy Brad Biggs

The Chicago Bears on Monday have denied a faxed request by the Tennessee Titans to interview assistant coach Mike Tice for their vacant offensive coordinator position, an NFL source told the Tribune.

That ensures Tice remains in place as the Bears' offensive line coach for at least one more season. The Tribune reported in Sunday's edition that new Titans coach Mike Munchak was interested in meeting with Tice. Tennessee is working to replace DeKalb native Mike Heimerdinger, who was fired last week.

Bears coach Lovie Smith long has offered support to assistants when they have opportunities for advancement. NFL teams are required only to grant permission if an assistant has an opportunity to become a head coach.

However, general manager Jerry Angelo and Smith have placed their faith and control of the line in the hands of Tice, and the rebuilding process is expected to continue this offseason when the Bears likely will address the issue via free agency and the draft. At this point, the Bears would have had difficulty finding a replacement with nearly all coaching vacancies filled around the league.

But it becomes a tricky situation when teams prevent assistants from at least exploring a chance to advance. No one wants to work in an environment where they feel like opportunities for personal growth are not respected. The Bears could offer Tice a new contract, an additional title or both. Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli also has the title of assistant head coach, something he was given when he was hired as the team's defensive line coach in 2009.

The Bears have acknowledged the offensive line is a work in progress. Offensive coordinator Mike Martz was effusive in his praise of Tice throughout the season and the run blocking made significant improvement. Matt Forte averaged 4.9 yards per carry in the final nine games and his average of 4.5 yards for the season was the best by a Bears running back (minimum 100 carries) since Neal Anderson in 1989.

The Bears have replaced two assistant coaches this offseason. Defensive line coach Eric Washington left for the same job with the Carolina Panthers and assistant special teams coach Chris Tabor is a coordinator with the Cleveland Browns. Washington and Tabor both were coming out of contract. Defensive backs coach Jon Hoke interviewed with the Philadelphia Eagles when they were seeking to hire a defensive coordinator.

In addition, at this late date, the Bears would find it impossible to hire a replacement with anywhere close to Tice’s qualifications. And, with a work stoppage a virtual certainty, the last thing an offensive line that is still a work in progress needs is a new coach.
Keeping Tice on staff was the right thing to do for the team.

Giving Tice a new contract – and a raise – would be the right thing to do for him.

agree with this reasoning and if want to 'bump" tice as a thank you, no problem with that either

Good move Bears! Tice is a guy you want to keep around and it would make a lot of sense to give him the additional title. Then, if the Bears do extend Lovie, and that's pretty much a given, they can also offer extensions to the top guys in the coaching staff. Marinelli, Martz, Tice, Hoke, Toub and maybe Tim Spencer as well. We seemed to have finally shored up the coaching weaknesses we've had in the past and it makes as much good sense to keep this coaching team together as it does to retain our core players on offense and defense.