English retracts acceptance, stays at Michigan

By J.E.  |   Monday, February 13, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Chicago Bears
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In a somewhat surprising turn of events, Ron English informed the Chicago Bears that he would not be taking over the job of defensive backs coach on Lovie Smith's staff after all. Instead, he has accepted a promotion at the University of Michigan and will become the defensive coordinator for the Wolverines.

According to team sources, English gave the Bears' organization every reason to believe that he had agreed to a contract in good faith. Acting on what was apparently just verbal confirmation, the Bears issued a press release last Tuesday stating that English would be joining the coaching staff. However, English, who was expected to be in Chicago on Friday, contacted team officials on Thursday and told them that he had decided to stay with the Wolverines.

English's sudden change of heart has led some people to speculate that he never intended to join the Chicago Bears at all, but was instead using the job offer as a bargaining chip to secure the promotion at Michigan.

Smith is already evaluating potential replacements for the position that was vacated by Perry Fewell. At least one Chicago publication is reporting that Smith would like to interview Steven Wilks, who is currently the secondary coach for the Washington Huskies. Wilks would join Gill Byrd of the St. Louis Rams (who met with Smith at the end of January) as one of two leading candidates for the job.
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