Special-teams coach Dave Toub leaves Bears for Chiefs
BY ADAM L. JAHNS ajahns@suntimes.com January 15, 2013 9:20PM
Chicago Bears v Detroit Lions
Related Stories
Updated: January 16, 2013 12:16AM
Dave Toub was the first to go.
As expected, Toub was named the special-teams coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs on Tuesday. He leaves the Bears after nine seasons.
The Bears interviewed Toub for their head-coaching vacancy last week, but he always was viewed as a long shot to replace fired Lovie Smith. Toub is the first assistant to leave the Bears since Smith was fired Dec. 31.
General manager Phil Emery granted the Chiefs permission to speak with Toub, who was under contract with the Bears through 2013, about the lateral move. Toub previously worked with new Chiefs coach Andy Reid with the Philadelphia Eagles before becoming one of Smith’s first hires.
‘‘Dave is one of the league’s best special-teams minds,’’ Reid told the Chiefs’ website. ‘‘He will bring an
innovative approach and consistency to this group.’’
Under Toub, Devin
Hester blossomed into a star return man, Corey Graham and Brendon Ayanbadejo became Pro Bowlers and the Bears’ special teams always were ranked among the best in the NFL.
The Bears finished 2006 and 2007 with the No. 1 overall ranking in special teams, and Toub was voted special-teams coach of the year after the 2006 season.
Adam L. Jahns
