[CBFF] Not so Hardy: LB coach gone after 1 season :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Bears - Sent Using Google Toolbar

[Kenny Claxton]

The Trib reported he left due to serious family health issues (his mom
and his mother in law)

On 1/9/08, ShannonToBeRead <shannontoberead at gmail.com> wrote:
> Not so Hardy: LB coach gone after 1 season
>  BEARS | Tampa Two expert 'could be too nice'
>
>
> January 9, 2008
> BY BRAD BIGGS bbiggs at suntimes.com
>
> Despite his stated wishes, Lovie Smith's coaching staff will not
> return intact next season.
>
> Bears linebackers coach Hardy Nickerson resigned Tuesday after one
> year of serving under Smith, who coached Nickerson for four seasons
> during the prime of his career as a standout linebacker with Tampa
> Bay.
>
> RELATED STORIES Inside the Bears: Updates from our blog
>
> So one of Smith's first offseason tasks will be to hire the team's
> fifth linebackers coach in eight seasons for a position that could
> take on a much different look with the expected departure of Lance
> Briggs via free agency.
>
> Briggs was selected to his third Pro Bowl in 2007, but Brian Urlacher
> was shut out for the first time after playing a full season, and Smith
> didn't seem enthused with the overall performance of the unit.
>
> ''As a whole, linebacker-wise, I thought we played OK, sometimes
> better than others,'' Smith said in his postseason address. ''Brian
> really finished up strong the last three weeks of the season. He
> played the type of ball that we're accustomed to him playing. Lance
> was fairly steady throughout the year, as was Hunter [Hillenmeyer].''
>
> Urlacher, who was hindered by an arthritic back condition, finished
> with some strong performances and became the team's first linebacker
> since Wilber Marshall to have five interceptions and five sacks in a
> season. But the linebackers were part of the problem for a defense
> that finished 24th against the run.
>
> Nickerson, a five-time Pro Bowl selection during a 16-year career,
> came out of the Buccaneers' broadcast booth to join the Bears before
> the NFL combine last February. He replaced Bob Babich, who was
> promoted to defensive coordinator after the dumping of Ron Rivera.
>
> Nickerson, 42, had no previous coaching experience but had a great
> knowledge of the Tampa Two scheme and quickly was considered a
> ''players' coach,'' a reason one veteran said he wasn't surprised by
> the move.
>
> ''He could be too nice,'' the player said on the condition of anonymity.
>
> Smith replaced five assistants after Super Bowl XLI, three after the
> 2005 season and five after his first year in 2004.
>
> There was no immediate word on a possible replacement, but Smith has
> shown a strong tendency to look to the college ranks for young,
> enthusiastic coaches who will be hands-on.
>
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