Montreal Alouettes coach Marc Trestman watches his team's CFL Grey Cup practice in Calgary, Alberta, November 25, 2009.Reuters
Marc Trestman remains head coach of the Montreal Alouettes, at least for now.
Former NFL head coach Jimmy Johnson got the football world — north and south of the border — buzzing Friday when he strongly suggested Trestman was heading to Chicago to become the Bears' head coach.
"Looks like 2 of my guys getting NFL jobs..Chud Cleveland and my QB coach at U Trestman to Chicago," Johnson said on Twitter.
An Alouettes spokesman said the CFL club had no comment about Johnson's tweet. Trestman later denied the rumour that the Bears were set to hire him.
In an email to the Montreal Gazette, Trestman wrote: "I have not heard from the Bears and have responded in that manner on multiple levels."
Johnson, now working as an NFL analyst with Fox, later clarified his original Twitter post with another tweet later in the day.
"It LOOKS like 2 of my guys were getting NFL jobs not that Trestman got it!" he said.
Trestman interviewed with both Cleveland and Chicago but according to numerous reports the Bears continue to speak to potential coaching candidates and haven't decided on a coach. The Browns introduced Rob Chudzinski as their new head coach Friday.
The Bears also declined comment. Chicago missed the NFL playoffs despite posting a 10-6 record and fired Lovie Smith after nine seasons as head coach.
Trestman, 56, has spent the last five seasons with Montreal, guiding the Alouettes to two Grey Cup victories in three appearances. His coaching resume includes time in the NFL as an offensive co-ordinator, quarterback or running back coach with Minnesota (twice), Cleveland, San Francisco, Detroit, Arizona, Oakland, and Miami.
Trestman also coached in the NCAA with Johnson at Miami as well as North Carolina State.
Trestman is regarded as a quarterback guru and has a background with Chicago starter Jay Cutler and backup Jason Campbell, helping both in their respective pre-draft preparations.