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Bears retaining position coaches Hoke, Phair

New Bears head coach Marc Trestman has retained two position coaches from Lovie Smith's staff in Jon Hoke (defensive backs) and Mike Phair (defensive line).

Hoke joined the Bears in 2009 after spending the previous seven seasons as defensive backs coach with the Houston Texans. Under his guidance this season, Bears cornerbacks Tim Jennings and Charles Tillman both were voted to start in the Pro Bowl.  

JonHoke_inside011913.jpg

Jon Hoke
Jennings led the NFL with a career-high nine interceptions and scored his first pro touchdown on a 25-yard interception return against the Panthers, while Tillman tied for the NFL lead with three interception return TDs and led the league with a career-high 10 forced fumbles.

Hoke played in 11 games with the Bears as a reserve safety in 1980, recording seven tackles.

Phair joined the Bears in 2011 after spending the previous six seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, three as an area scout (2005-07) and three as a defensive assistant (2008-10).

Under Phair's guidance this season, the defensive line produced 38 of the Bears' 41 sacks. The unit was led by Julius Peppers, who recorded 11.5 sacks to become the first Bears player to reach double digits in back-to-back seasons since Rosevelt Colvin in 2001-02.

The Bears also announced that assistant defensive backs/safeties coach Gill Byrd will not return.

Other assistants Trestman has hired since being named Bears coach Wednesday include Aaron Kromer (offensive coordinator/offensive line), Mel Tucker (defensive coordinator), Joe DeCamillis (assistant head coach/special teams coordinator), Matt Cavanaugh (quarterbacks), Skip Peete (running backs), Andy Bischoff (tight ends) and Michael Sinclair (assistant defensive line).

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