Bears Confirm Interview With John Fox

(CBS) Pairing a first-time head coach with new hire Ryan Pace -- the league's youngest general manager -- may not be the most prudent plan for the Chicago Bears. Given the early group of candidates they'd chosen to interview, that's exactly the path they were heading down.

But everything changed Monday when the Denver Broncos agreed to mutually part ways with coach John Fox after four seasons.

The Bears confirmed via their website that they interviewed Fox for their head coaching job Wednesday. The meeting took place at Halas Hall. Fox is believed to be the leading candidate.

Playing six degrees of separation links Pace with Fox in two steps. Pace is being consulted by Ernie Accorsi, who became the New York Giants' general manager in 1998, when Fox was the team's defensive coordinator.

But the connection doesn't end there.

Current Saints coach Sean Payton, who Pace worked with over the past nine seasons, was on the same coaching staff in New York, moving up from quarterbacks coach to their offensive coordinator role.

Fox has led two different teams to the Super Bowl -- the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos. In 13 seasons as a head coach, Fox has compiled a 119-89 regular-season record and an 8-6 playoff mark.

The Bears have interviewed then-Cardinals defensive coordinator/now-Jets coach Todd Bowles, Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase, Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and ex-Bills coach Doug Marrone for their coaching job as well.