Marc Trestman replaces Lovie Smith, who was fired Dec. 31 after nine seasons as coach. Smith compiled an 81-63 record and led the Bears to back-to-back NFC North titles in 2005-06, but he failed to guide the team into the playoffs five of the last six years after reaching the Super Bowl in 2006. Trestman will be entrusted with fixing the Chicago Bears offense that regularly ranked in the bottom third of the NFL in total yards under Lovie Smith. The Bears ranked 28th this season.
After 17 years as an NFL offensive coordinator and position coach, Marc Trestman spent the last five seasons in the Canadian Football League as head coach of the Montreal Alouettes, compiling a 59-31 record and winning back-to-back Grey Cup championships in 2009 and 2010. Even during his time in the Canadian Football League, Trestman continued to work with quarterbacks entering the NFL Draft, including the Bears’ Jay Cutler and Jason Campbell.
As an NFL assistant, Trestman built quarterbacks into better players, and helped five different teams make the playoffs during his first years on the job with the Browns (1988), 49ers (1995), Lions (1997), Cardinals (1998) and Raiders (2001).
Trestman last worked in the NFL in 2004, serving as quarterbacks coach and assistant head coach with the Dolphins. He spent two seasons as offensive coordinator at North Carolina State in 2005-06 before heading north of the border to join the Alouettes.
Chicago Bears General Manager Phil Emery revealed that he was seeking a highly organized coach who possesses excellent leadership and administrative skills; who is meticulous enough to know minute details in the collective bargaining agreement; and who is upbeat and positive.
Trestman, who turned 57 on Tuesday, grew up in Minneapolis and played quarterback for three years at the University of Minnesota and one year at Minnesota State. He earned a law degree at the University of Miami, where he also began his coaching career in 1981.
Trestman and his wife Cindy have two daughters, Sarahanne and Chloe.