Organizational changes Head coach
Dave Wannstedt was fired after the 1998 season, forcing the Bears to hire their second head coach in ten years. The candidates included offensive coordinators
Sherman Lewis of the
Green Bay Packers and
Joe Pendry of the
Buffalo Bills, defensive coordinators
Dave McGinnis (
Arizona Cardinals),
Dick Jauron (
Jacksonville Jaguars) and
Gunther Cunningham (
Kansas City Chiefs), while DC
Jim Haslett (
Pittsburgh Steelers) was interviewed.
Minnesota Vikings OC
Brian Billick and
New York Jets DC
Bill Belichick were also allowed to be interviewed by the team. McGinnis was considered the favorite, and was interviewed last; he would be approached by Bears president
Michael McCaskey for contractual terms, with McGinnis stating he "needed some time and he would think about it." However, the next day, McCaskey scheduled a press conference to announce McGinnis as the head coach, despite not having been officially hired. As a result, the conference was canceled, and Jauron would instead be hired, while McCaskey would be replaced by
Ted Phillips.
1999 expansion draft NFL draft Undrafted free agents == Staff ==