OK, so now it looks like Phil Emery is just showing off.
Emery has expanded the list of known candidates to coach the Bears to a lucky (or, depending on the final decision, unlucky) 13.
The latest, according to Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune, is Bears special-teams coordinator Dave Toub.
Toub joins Vikings linebackers coach (and Hall of Fame Bears linebacker) Mike Singletary as the latest candidates to replace Lovie Smith.
Other candidates include Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy, Montreal Alouettes coach Marc Trestman, Texans offensive coordinator Rick Dennison, Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, Falcons special-teams coordinator Keith Armstrong, Buccaneers offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan, Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, Cowboys special-teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis, Packers offensive coordinator Tom Clements, Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, and Vikings special-teams coordinator Mike Priefer.
Some within the league have been grumbling about the breadth of Emery’s search, suspecting that he’s simply trying to pick brains, Al Davis-style.