When John Fox completed what most expect to be his last practice as Bears coach Friday, he began his post-workout media session at Halas Hall by recalling the first time he lost a job in the NFL.
He was a 36-year-old defensive backs coach with the 1991 Steelers and longtime head coach Chuck Noll resigned, leaving Fox out of a job too. Fox latched on with the Chargers the next season and has had little trouble finding work over 26 years and three head-coaching positions since.
Those experiences shaped his attitude all season as he faced rumors about his future with the Bears, speculation that will come to a resolution after Sunday's season finale against the Vikings in Minnesota.
"The minute that happened (in Pittsburgh), it was made public, I had the choice of about four jobs," Fox said. "So young or old, it was pretty much why I have the attitude I have. We have a lot of good coaches on this staff, young and old. I don't think they're worried either."
Most certainly had a notion change was coming after the Bears lost five straight games from Oct. 29-Dec. 3 to ensure the organization's fourth consecutive losing season and seventh straight year without the playoffs.
No matter whether Fox thinks "a lot of the heavy lifting has been done" in rebuilding the team's roster in three seasons under general manager Ryan Pace. Or that his players "have played very, very hard in every game this season regardless of the score." He also knows the record is unacceptable _ 14-33 over three seasons, including 5-10 this year.
Fox, 62, still has at least one more game to add to his Bears resume and said he hasn't thought about how long he wants to continue his coaching career if the Bears fire him with one year left on his contract.
"I don't do much of that contemplating until the offseason," he said. "So we're not quite there yet."
