Mike Martz to retire
ESPNChicago.com
Former Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz resigned his post with the team on Jan. 3, and is now retiring from the coaching profession, according to a report by the NFL Network.
A 20-year NFL coaching veteran, Martz -- who also served as head coach of the St. Louis Rams -- directed Chicago's offense to a pair of mediocre seasons in which it ranked 24th in total offense in 2011 and 30th in 2010, culminating in the coach leaving the Bears over what team president Ted Phillips called "philosophical differences."
On the heels of an 8-8 season, Bears coach Lovie Smith called Martz's departure a mutual decision. But less than a year prior, the team reportedly offered Martz a one-year extension, which the coach declined. Martz expressed a desire to return to the Bears prior to the end of the 2011 season, but it appears he and Smith couldn't come to consensus as to the direction the offense should take in 2012.
Martz came under fire throughout his tenure for his play calling, which at times seemed too dependent on the pass. Martz's time in Chicago was further marred by protection issues along the offensive line in 2010, and injuries to quarterback Jay Cutler and running back Matt Forte in 2011 that played a role in the club losing five of its last six after rolling to a 7-3 start.
MORE: http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/id/7468804/former-chicago-bears-offensive-coordinator-mike-martz-retiring
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