New Bears coach Marc Trestman is working quickly to put together his staff.
Early indications are that he'll retain defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli, and he's already agreed to hire his offensive coordinator. Aaron Kromer, the offensive line coach and interim head coach four six games last season for the New Orleans Saints, will be the Bears offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, a league source said. ![]()
Kromer has been with the Saints since 2008, initially handling running backs before shifting to the offensive line. As interim head coach, with Sean Payton and Joe Vitt unavailable at the start of the season, Kromer led the Saints to a 2-4 record.
The Saints finished 7-9.
Trestman worked with Kromer in Oakland in 2001. Trestman was the quarterbacks coach then offensive coordinator while Kromer oversaw the offensive line.
The Raiders reached the Super Bowl during the 2002 season.
In 1999 and 2000, Kromer coached the offensive line at Northwestern.
The hiring of Kromer doesn't bode well for Mike Tice, who was the offensive line coach then promoted to offensive coordinator last season. The Bears offense, though, ranked 28th and struggled throughout the season.


He's a good line coach but not much of an OC. I can assume Trestman will be calling most of the offensive plays. Goodbye you big dumb, slow, Webb loving piece of garbage.
If the Bears do not get rid of Webb, I am going to become a Packer fan.
I like the guy's background. Cutler is not Brees, but both needed protection to be effective. With Trestman's focus on protection, perhaps we can look for Cutler and Marshall to have stellar years. I hope so, and Kromer's background as running back coach should also be a positive. Sean, any information on previous connections between Kroner and Trestman?
His focus on protection goes along with drafting good linemen, he needs both. His style is aggressive,very aggressive.
I like Mike Tice, his interviews are very entertaining. But he was a total failure as offensive coordinator. Sorry and glad to see him go, for different reasons. As far as winning, this is a very positive change, and winning is a lot more important than giving good interviews and press conferences, and even more than being likeable.