Gopher Alum Marc Trestman hired as Chicago Bears head coach

Jan 17, 2013; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears new head coach Marc Trestman during a press conference at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota-native Marc Trestman was introduced as the new Chicago Bears head coach on Thursday after the NFL franchise fired Lovie Smith.

Trestman, born in Minneapolis, played quarterback for the Gophers for three seasons in the late 1970s before transferring to Minnesota State University Moorhead for his senior year.

A graduate of St. Louis Park High School, Trestman was also a backup to two-time Super Bowl champion and former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy during his time at the University of Minnesota.

Before accepting the Chicago Bears job, Trestman had been the head coach of the Canadian Football League’s Montreal Alouettes, taking his team to two consecutive Grey Cup championships. He was also named the CFL Coach of the Year in 2009.

Trestman had a record of 59-31 in five seasons in the CFL and took his team to four first place finishes in their division.

In 2012, Trestman was interviewed by the Colts as Jim Caldwell’s replacement, but the Colts eventually hired Chuck Pagano instead.

Trestman will get to face his hometown team of the Minnesota Vikings at least twice a year and will have a chance to coach the Bears at TCF Bank Stadium when the Vikings will temporarily move there while the new stadium is being built over the site of the Metrodome.

Perhaps the biggest concern Trestman will have to address before next season begins is the quarterback situation in Chicago surrounding last season’s start, Jay Cutler — but who better to fix the problem then an ex-quarterback?

Congrats Marc. As a Vikings fan and Gopher loyalist, I cannot wait until the Vikings host the Bears in the Metrodome…errr I mean Mall of America Field.