The Bears have fired offensive coordinator Ron Turner, as well as offensive line coach Harry Hiestand, quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton and tight ends coach Rob Boras, according to a league source.
The Bears will keep receivers coach Darryl Drake and running backs coach Tim Spencer. Drake's receivers were the most criticized group coming into the 2009 season, but performed much better than expected. Spencer had to deal with Matt Forte running on a bad knee and inconsistent play from the offensive line.
Also, sources differ on the role that assistant Rod Marinelli will play. While one league source expected Marinelli to become defensive coordinator, relieving head coach Lovie Smith of those duties, another said he would remain as defensive line coach.
Turner's dismissal was expected in light of the team's offensive struggles during a 7-9 season. He still will be regarded as one of the most productive offensive coordinators in the team's history after helping the Bears reach Super Bowl XLI. But Turner's fifth consecutive year as the team's offensive coordinator (and ninth total) went south despite the addition of quarterback Jay Cutler.
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