Bears block OLB coach Clint Hurtt from joining Dolphins as DL coach
The Chicago Bears have blocked outside linebackers coach Clint Hurtt from becoming the Miami Dolphins' defensive line coach according to sources.
The move would have reunited Hurtt with newly-hired Miami coach Adam Gase, who was the Bears' offensive coordinator this past season. The 37-year-old Hurtt just finished his second season in Chicago and is regarded as a fast-rising assistant in NFL circles, but has a year remaining on his contract per the sources.
He's also attracted interest from other NFL teams and in the college ranks according to the sources.
Last season, Hurtt was the Bears' assistant defensive line coach before being promoted to his current position this past year. He's been instrumental in the play of outside linebacker Lamarr Houston, who had a team- and career-high eight sacks this season after tearing his ACL last year.
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Hurtt has also tutored outside linebacker Willie Young, who had 6.5 sacks this season after a career-high 10.5 last year. Outside linebacker Pernell McPhee also played well for Hurtt this season before he struggled with a knee injury, but still finished with six sacks.
With Hurtt as assistant defensive line coach in 2014, Chicago's defensive linemen had 35 sacks, 14 more than the previous season. Prior to joining the Bears, Hurtt spent 13 years coaching in college with stops at Louisville, Miami and Florida International.
An acclaimed Miami recruiter, Hurtt played for the Hurricanes from 1997 through 2000. The Bears had a 6–10 record this past season in coach John Fox's initial campaign with the team.
