Rick Dennison is hoping for the best, but the Houston Texans' offensive coordinator seemed to regret the unfortunate timing of his candidacy for the Bears' head coaching job.
Dennison met with Bears general manager Phil Emery on Friday. But he acknowledged that he was unable to put his best foot forward because it came in the middle of preparations for the Texans' AFC divisional playoff game against the New England Patriots.
After the Texans' season ended with a 41-28 loss at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on Sunday, Dennison said it was hard for him to peg just how his interview went.
''It was brief,'' he said. ''It was a couple of hours. We were finishing practice and he [Emery] had a schedule. I was really, really focused on [the game]. It was great to visit and that's all it really was.''
Dennison said he and Emery talked in general terms on most subjects.
''It was simple,'' he said. ''Really not a lot of Xs and Os. Just about me and what I've done. How I deal with the game.''
Asked if he felt good about it, Dennison said, ''Well, I was very honest. I was open. I don't know if I feel good or bad. I obviously didn't spend a lot of time preparing [for the interview]. I was dealing with [preparations for the Patriots] and handling that game plan. So I couldn't tell him much about his personnel or anything else.''
Dennison said he was not given a timetable on when he might find out if he would get a second interview.
Dennison spent 15 years as an assistant with the Denver Broncos (1995-2009). He was the Broncos' offensive coordinator when Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall played with the Broncos in 2006-08. He worked with Bears quarterback coach Jeremy Bates in 2008.
''I'm comfortable with a couple of players just because I've been around them -- Jay and Brandon Marshall,'' Dennison said. ''I know a couple of the coaches on the staff. But I have not talked to anybody other than Mr. Emery.''
Dennison is arguably the most well-rounded of the coaching candidates. He played defense in the NFL for nine seasons. He also has coached the offensive line and special teams. He currently is the game-planner for the Texans. Head coach Gary Kubiak does the play-calling, but Dennison has an active role in almost every facet of the Texans' offense.
''It's hard for me to even say anything about how [the Bears' job] fits me,'' Dennison said. ''I know they've got a good ballclub. Ten-win seasons are hard to come by. They certainly have talented coaches. It just didn't work out. And they decided to change. I don't know what to tell you about that. I know we struggled against their defense [when the Texans beat the Bears 13-6 on Nov. 11 at Soldier Field]. It was kind of a rainy, wet night. But they're a very talented defense.''
If Dennison is hired, it is presumed he would keep Bates as his offensive coordinator. But he shed no light on the subject of Jay Cutler.
''I'll just say we talked in general terms about everything about the Chicago Bears,'' Dennison said. ''That's about it.''
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