Former Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith should be a HC in 2014

Former Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher loved playing for former head coach Lovie Smith as he enjoyed a hall-of-fame career in the windy city. Smith revitalized a once proud Bears franchise that had fallen on hard times, and not only made them a perennial playoff contender, but got the franchise to only it’s second Super Bowl appearance in 2007, with Rex Grossman as their quarterback for goodness sakes.

Needless to say, the NFL is a “what have you done for me lately” kind of league, and back-to-back non-playoff seasons is a disappointment given the amount of talent the Bears have had. Still, Urlacher would be shocked if Smith isn’t leading a new team in 2014:

"“He’s not away from the game,” said Urlacher. “He’s still doing some stuff. He’s still preparing like he always has been. He’s watching film. He’s watching all the games just to try and stay (up) with what’s going on in the NFL, and trying to keep one leg up on those offenses with all the way they’re changing and stuff.”"

Smith was fired on Dec. 31 after the Bears finished 10-6 but missed the playoffs for the fifth time in six seasons. He will be paid $5 million by the Bears for the final year of his contract.