Jan. 10--In his first days as the new Bears general manager, Ryan Pace already has come to recognize the magnitude of his first order of business. The Bears are still in need of a new coach to replace Marc Trestman. And Pace is suddenly at the controls of that search.
"I can assure you I understand the importance of this decision," Pace said Friday.
Only minutes after finalizing a five-year contract to join the Bears on Thursday, Pace scampered down the hall to conduct his first interview for a coach, meeting with Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.
The search will only expand from here. And according to a person with knowledge of the situation, Pace and the Bears have requested permission to interview Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin soon.
Austin oversaw a Lions defense that ranked second in the NFL this season in total points and yards allowed. Austin, 49, was scheduled to interview Thursday with the 49ers, Friday with the Falcons and Saturday with the Bills, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Before Pace was hired as the new GM, the Bears interviewed Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn on Jan. 2 and Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase on Jan. 3. It remains to be seen whether Pace will circle back to either candidate.
But the clock is ticking on the Bears as they continue their offseason overhaul.
Still, while Pace acknowledged the urgency he has in finding a new coach, he made it clear he would not rush a move, even with the organization's scouting staff soon entering a critical evaluation period with Senior Bowl week in Mobile, Ala., just a little more than a week away.
"There's an urgency, no question," Pace said. "I think about the Senior Bowl a lot. That's important. But I don't think that overrides getting the right head coach."
Tribune reporters Brad Biggs and Rich Campbell contributed.
