The general manager job the Bears are working to fill might not be the only prominent position the organization needs to address for the coming season.

It’s now possible recently promoted offensive coordinator Mike Tice could be headed elsewhere.

According to a club and NFL sources, the Raiders have requested permission to interview Tice for their head coaching position. In accordance with NFL rules, the Bears must grant permission, unlike the move they made Monday when they blocked secondary coach Jon Hoke from interviewing with the Vikings for their defensive coordinator position. Tice did not reply to messages from the Tribune.

Tice served as the head coach of the Vikings from the end of the 2001 season to 2005, compiling a 33-34 record including the postseason. He’s worked his way back up the ranks since and now is proving to be a hot commodity. The Titans wanted to interview Tice to be their offensive coordinator last year, a move the Bears blocked. Now, the 52-year-old has his first crack at a head job since his Vikings experience.

It does not appear that Tice has any direct connections to new Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie, although they did play against each other twice annually in the '80s when Tice was a tight end for the Seahawks and McKenzie a linebacker for the Raiders. McKenzie has cast a wide net in his search. The Raiders have already interviewed former Dolphins interim coach Todd Bowles. McKenzie is expected to interview Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, Broncos coordinators Mike McCoy (offense) and Dennis Allen (defense) and Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, defensive coordinator Dom Capers and linebackers coach Winston Moss also have been mentioned as possible candidates.

Tice, Capers and Mornhinweg are the only coaches in the mix right now with head coaching experience. It’s a new twist for the Raiders with longtime owner and general manager Al Davis deceased and McKenzie now calling the shots after he fired coach Hue Jackson.


Tice has been credited for his work with the Bears’ offensive line despite a makeshift collection of players. The Bears rushed for 2,015 yards this season, the franchise’s best performance since 1991. Bears coach Lovie Smith took only three days to promote Tice after parting ways with former offensive coordinator Mike Martz.

The Bears have been in the process of searching for a passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach and offensive line coach to work with Tice. Former Buccaneers offensive coordinator Greg Olson interviewed for the passing game coordinator role last week.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

¡Adios, Cabrona!

This is not what Lovie wanted to hear. He cant find coaches to interview for coaching jobs with the Bears.
I wonder who is left from the Rams stable of coaches from the Lovie/Martz era?
Who is the next guy who isn't qualified?
After hiring Martz as OC, I don't trust Lovie to hire anyone.

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CSFMB 2014 Nascar Pick 'em Champion

We don’t have a trillion-dollar debt because we haven’t taxed enough; we have a trillion-dollar debt because we spend too much. — Ronald Reagan

Look at those names they are interviewing. Would Tice be your primary target? Would he be in the top 3?

Tice is staying here but he will not get a bump in salary.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.