[CBFF] Toub stays

[Jason Cetina]

Toub gets 3-year deal after unit excels in '06

By John Mullin
Tribune staff reporter

February 15, 2007, 9:50 PM CST

The Bears locked up a key member of their coaching staff Thursday when they signed special-teams coordinator Dave Toub to a three-year extension.

Toub's existing contract had been set to expire Feb. 20, at which time he reportedly was a strong candidate to return to the same job with the Eagles.

"I was willing to let it play out and see what happens," Toub said. "But the Bears came with a very fair contract offer and I'm happy, very happy."

Financial details weren't released.

The Bears still could lose a key member of their staff, depending on interviews this weekend between defensive coordinator Ron Rivera and the San Diego Chargers for their vacant head coaching job.

On Thursday, Rex Ryan, son of ex-Bears defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan, and 49ers offensive coordinator Norv Turner interviewed with the Chargers. Rivera is scheduled to meet with team officials Friday morning.

Flashing a Super Bowl ring, Rex Ryan spoke about how he'd love to win an NFL championship with the Chargers. He had earned his ring as defensive line coach of the Ravens in 2000 and just completed his second year as their defensive coordinator.

"That would be something that we'd be targeting. We'd like to get several of those," Ryan said after his interview.

The Bears' special teams were arguably the NFL's best this season, ranking in the top 10 in 15 of the 22 categories used in the unofficial rankings system developed by the Dallas Morning News.

In 2006 the Bears scored a league-high 179 points on special teams and recovered four fumbles, tied for first.

The Bears sent three special-teamers to the Pro Bowl: coverage specialist Brendon Ayanbadejo, kicker Robbie Gould and returner Devin Hester.

"We have some unfinished business," Toub said, referring to the Bears falling short of their Super Bowl goal. "I feel that with the guys we have coming back we can get it done this time."

Since Toub's arrival in 2004, the Bears have returned 10 kicks, including two 108-yard runbacks of missed field goals for scores, the most in the NFL.

"I told [general manager Jerry Angelo] I hope everybody's not on me if we go two games without scoring a touchdown next season," Toub said, laughing. "It's a tough act to follow."

The Bears are continuing negotiations with head coach Lovie Smith on a new deal, with the Bears now moving above $3 million per year. But progress has been slow to this point.

"We want everybody signed, all our guys," Toub said.

The team also signed kicker Nick Novak, who initially signed with the Bears as an undrafted free agent out of Maryland in 2005. He was assigned to NFL Europe.

Harold Goodwin, let go by the Bears last week after three seasons as assistant offensive line coach, was hired by the Steelers as an offensive assistant.

jmullin at tribune.com

Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Copyright (c) 2007, The Chicago Tribune 

--------------------

This article originally appeared at:
http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-070215bearsbits,1,4513044.story?coll=cs-bears-headlines