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Bears promote defensive assistant to LBs coach -- chicagotribune.com




www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-080115chicagobearslloydleelinebackerscoach,1,4685398.story
chicagotribune.com
Bears promote defensive assistant to LBs coach

By Vaughn McClure

Tribune staff reporter

9:28 PM CST, January 15, 2008



Lloyd Lee's familiarity with the Bears' defensive system apparently
will earn him a promotion.

 Lee, who spent the past four seasons as a defensive assistant, is
expected to take over as the Bears linebackers coach, with an official
announcement likely to come by week's end. Lee will replace Hardy
Nickerson, who stepped down to attend to family matters.

 Lee worked with the nickel backs this season. In 2006, he worked with
the linebackers under then-linebackers coach Bob Babich, now the
defensive coordinator. Lee spent his first two Bears' seasons as the
defensive quality control coach.

 Coach Lovie Smith said he wanted to keep his coaching staff intact,
but Nickerson's departure changed that plan. The Bears also will add
Eric Washington from Northwestern as an assistant defensive line
coach.

 Lee joined the Bears after three seasons as a scout for the Tampa Bay
Buccaneers. In college, he was a four-year standout at safety for
Dartmouth, earning Division I-AA All-America honors. The Bloomington,
Minn., product played two season with the San Diego Chargers.

 Part of Lee's new task could be getting Jamar Williams ready to be
the starter at weak-side linebacker. The Bears want to keep All-Pro
Lance Briggs, but Briggs could be headed elsewhere as one of the top
unrestricted free agents.

 vmcclure at tribune.com

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