Colts coach interested in Bears' job

According to ProFootballTalk.com, Colts defensive backs coach Alan Williams has thrown his clipboard into the ring as a candidate for the Bears' defensive coordinator job.

"If they call, and if that happens, when that time comes, it'll be neat to explore the opportunity,” Williams said Tuesday in Miami as the Colts prepare for the Super Bowl. “My time will come.”

As yet, there hasn't been any indication from the Bears that they are interested in interviewing Williams, which would have to wait until after Sunday’s game. But the 40-year-old former running back at William & Mary is experienced in the Cover-2 defense, having started in the NFL as an assistant with the Bucs in 2001 before joining Tony Dungy’s Colts staff the following year. Both teams play Cover-2.

During the 2009 regular season the Colts were 14th in passing yards allowed but No. 4 in average gain allowed per pass play, despite being without injured safety Bob Sanders for almost the entire season. Nickel back Marlin Jackson and starting left cornerback Kelvin Hayden, a former Fighting Illini, were also lost to injury for parts of the season.

Bears coach Lovie Smith hinted Monday that he may stay in-house for his defensive coordinator, which likely means assistant head coach/defensive line coach Rod Marinelli is his man.