Report: Weis Interested In Bears' Coordinator Job

Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen said Monday that former Irish coach Charlie Weis was instrumental in his decision to skip out of South Bend early for a future in the NFL. Now, a week after his firing, it seems Weis would like to join Clausen in the pros.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports a "source close to" Weis confirmed that the former NFL assistant would be interested in the offensive coordinator position with the Chicago Bears, were the position to open after this season. The Bears currently employ Ron Turner, but their offense has floundered and Jay Cutler -- the team's supposed savior and accordingly compensated quarterback -- has flopped.

Should Weis return to the NFL next season, Chicago has popped up as an early front-runner, in part, for reasons that have nothing to do with football. From the Sun-Times:

By working in Chicago, Weis' son, Charlie Jr., could graduate from St. Joseph's High School in South Bend, Ind., and wife Maura could continue to run Hannah and Friends, the nonprofit foundation named for their daughter and dedicated to helping children and young adults with autism and other special needs. The couple remains committed to the charity and hopes to continue to base it out of a farm north of South Bend.

It makes football sense, too.

First off, the Bears offense is just short of woeful -- the team ranks 24th in the league in yards per game this season (309.2) and 22nd in points per game (19.4).

Perhaps more disappointing is the play of Cutler, who was supposed to be the Bears' escape from their infinite circles of quarterback hell. Instead, Cutler has thrown three more interceptions (20) than touchdowns (17), including a four-pick game in his Chicago debut, and a comically horrific five-INT outing against the 49ers on Nov. 12.

The point is: It's reasonable to think Turner won't be back next season, even if Lovie Smith is.

While Weis' college coaching career was undoubtedly poor, his track record appears to point to a pair of truths: He can lead a successful NFL offense (see: the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots) and coach up a quarterback (see: Tom Brady and, if you will, Brady Quinn and Clausen).

It's just a thought, but from that standpoint this move seems mutually beneficial.