Bears to interview Alouettes coach Marc Trestman: report

The Chicago Bears want to talk to Marc Trestman about their vacant head-coaching job.

The NFL Network reported Saturday that the Bears will interview Trestman, the head coach of the CFL's Montreal Alouettes, for their top coaching position. Chicago fired Lovie Smith at season's end after missing the playoffs despite posting a 10-6 record.

Trestman has spent the last five seasons with Montreal, leading the club to Grey Cup titles in 2009 and 2010. The 56-year-old Minneapolis native has a 59-31 regular-season record and led the Alouettes to first place in the East Division four times.

Under Trestman, the Alouettes have advanced to the East Division final four times and are 5-3 in the post-season.

Trestman remains under contract with Montreal but is believed to have an escape clause in his CFL deal that would allow him to take a job south of the border.

Trestman also has a history with Bears starting quarterback Jay Cutler and backup Jason Campbell. He worked with both prior to them being selected in the first-round of the NFL draft — Campbell went to Washington in 2005 out of Auburn, Cutler to Denver in 2006 out of Vanderbilt.

This won't be the first time an NFL team has spoken to Trestman about a head-coaching job. He interviewed with the Indianapolis Colts last year and seemingly made a favourable impression on first-year GM Ryan Grigson.

Earlier on Saturday, ESPN reported that Grigson was endorsing Trestman for vacant head-coaching jobs in the NFL. On Monday, a total of seven head coaches were fired.

Trestman's name has been linked to numerous NFL coaching positions pretty much since his arrival in Montreal, and with good reason given Trestman's impressive resume.

He has previous NCAA coaching experience with both Miami and North Carolina State and has also served as a quarterback coach, running back coach and offensive co-ordinator in the NFL with Minnesota (twice), Tampa Bay, Cleveland, San Francisco, Detroit, Arizona, Oakland, Miami.

Trestman is regarded as an offensive guru and a quarterback technician. Alouettes veteran passer Anthony Calvillo, 40, has flourished under Trestman, passing for more than 5,000 three times since 2008 and that year he also had a career-high 43 TD passes.

Since 2008, Calvillo, pro football's all-time passing leader, has also won two Grey Cups, two CFL outstanding player awards and been named a league all-star three times.

And each year, many of the NFL's top quarterback prospects look to Trestman to prepare them for their pro day as well as the league's annual combine. One of Trestman's most famous pupils was former Florida star Tim Tebow, who had been much criticized for his poor passing mechanics and long passing delivery.

In 2010, the Denver Broncos selected Tebow in the first round, 25th overall, in the NFL draft.

In addition to Cutler and Campbell, Trestman has also worked with Brandon Weeden (2012 first-round pick, Cleveland Browns) and Jimmy Clausen (2010 second-round pick, Carolina Panthers) and in 2007 served as a consultant for current New Orleans head coach Sean Payton.

Trestman is also a keynote speaker to groups and organizations and in 2010 wrote a biography entitled Perseverance: Life Lessons on Leadership and Teamwork.