Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies

Bears give Smith a four-year deal

LAKE FOREST, Ill. - Now that he has turned around the Rams defense, Lovie Smith is taking on the Bears.

Smith, a former linebackers coach with the Bucs, was hired Wednesday as Chicago's coach, agreeing to a four-year deal. He replaces Dick Jauron, fired Dec. 29.

Smith is expected to be introduced today. He was in St. Louis on Wednesday and not available for comment.

"There's a position right for everyone," he said Tuesday after his second interview. "And I'm hoping this position is what is right for me."

The Bears hope so, too. Team founder George "Papa Bear" Halas helped create the NFL, and some of the game's greatest players once wore Bears uniforms.

Chicago has been more laughingstock than leader, though. The Bears haven't won a playoff game since 1995. But he is confident he can make the them winners again.

"Tough, hard-nosed football, that's what Chicago football is all about," he said. "That's what I've seen at times. The consistency probably wasn't there.

"I think they can win. They just need a little boost."

Smith was the defensive coordinator in St. Louis the past three seasons.

SAN JOSE, Calif. - San Francisco quarterback Jeff Garcia was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving and spent the night alone in a jail cell.

Garcia was booked into the Santa Clara County jail about 3:30 a.m., spokesman Mark Cursi said. The three-time Pro Bowl selection was released six hours later.

Garcia was red-eyed when he made a short statement to reporters at the 49ers' training complex.

"I regret that I'm standing here in front of you in this type of situation," he said. "As a member of the community, I take on my responsibility as a role model very seriously. I understand the actions or the responsibilities that somebody in my position sets within this community.

"I'm extremely embarrassed for my family, for the San Francisco 49ers organization and for the Bay area for having put them through something like this. ... In all honesty, this matter will be taken very seriously. It's not something that will be taken lightly at all, and it's something that I hope I can put behind me very quickly."

Garcia is scheduled to make a court appearance March 1.

TEMPE, Ariz. - Kirby Wilson didn't waste much time. Dennis Green, Arizona's new head coach, hired Wilson as running backs coach two days after the Bucs fired him. Green also hired Alex Wood as offensive coordinator.

HALL OF FAME: John Elway and Barry Sanders are among this year's 15 finalists. The Hall's board also chose: tackle Bob Brown; wide receivers Bob Hayes and Art Monk; defensive ends Richard Dent, Carl Eller, and Jim Marshall; guard Bob Kuechenberg; safety Cliff Harris; cornerback Lester Hayes; and tackles Rayfield Wright and Gary Zimmerman. The new class will elected in Houston Jan. 31.

BILLS: Mike Mularkey will be introduced as coach today. A former tight end with the Gators as well as an ex-Bucs assistant, Mularkey replaces Gregg Williams.

DOLPHINS: Former Green Bay GM Ron Wolf likely won't take an offer to work as a consultant.

GIANTS: Mike Sweatman was hired as special teams coach.

SAINTS: Jimmy Robinson was hired as receivers coach.