Bears fire coach Marc Trestman, general manager Phil Emery
The Chicago Bears have fired head coach Marc Trestman and general manager Phil Emery.
After another disappointing season in Chicago, the Bears are cleaning house in an effort to revamp the organization.
Trestman only lasted two seasons in Chicago. He guided the Bears to a 13-19 record, including a 5-11 mark this past season.
Trestman is the first head coach fired by the franchise after serving only two years since Paddy Driscoll in 1958.
Statement from Marc Trestman: pic.twitter.com/C2fcjU7elW
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) December 29, 2014
Lofty expectations were placed on the club this past season, as the team brought back each member of the second-highest scoring unit in the league from 2013.
Emery only added to those expectations by seemingly solidifying the defense by bringing in veterans like Jared Allen and Lamarr Houston.
However, that unit never lived up to expectations. The low point came on either side of the team's bye, when the Bears surrendered 50-plus points in back-to-back games for the first time since 1923.
Things weren't any better on the offensive side of the ball, as the second-ranked scoring offense fell to 23rd this past season. Meanwhile, the defense ranked 31st in scoring.
Trestman seems likely to find an offensive coordinator job in short order, and figures to become one of the highest paid coordinators in football.
In regards to their next head coach, it is worth noting that the Bears have never hired a head coach with previous head coaching experience in the history of the franchise.
Under Emery, the Bears compiled a 23-25 record. Following a 10-6 season in 2012, Emery fired Lovie Smith and brought in Trestman. He also signed Jay Cutler to a lucrative extension in January.
Despite his efforts to rebuild the Bears' defense following Brian Urlacher's retirement in 2012, the Bears ranked 30th in the league in 2013 and 2014.
The Bears failed to qualify for the postseason in each of Emery's three years as general manager.
Emery leaves the Bears' roster with the most players over the age of 30 (a total of 17), and the fewest players selected in the first round of the NFL draft (with five).
The Bears also fired offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer, according to Field Yates of ESPN.