Cowboys special teams coach Joe DeCamillis is on the Bears' list of head coaching candidates. Bears general manager Phil Emery has asked the Cowboys for permission to interview DeCamillis.
The Cowboys cannot deny the request since it is a head coaching position.Jay Glazer of Fox Sports first reported the Bears' interest in DeCamillis.DeCamillis and Emery worked together in Atlanta for three years, when Emery was the Falcons' director of college scouting and DeCamillis the special teams coach there.DeCamillis, 47, just completed his fourth season with the Cowboys. He also previously has been a special teams coach for the Broncos (1988-92), Giants (1993-96) and Jaguars (2007-08) besides his stint in Atlanta (1997-2006).John Harbaugh was the Eagles' special teams coach when the Ravens hired him as their head coach in 2008.The Bears also reportedly will interview Falcons special teams coach Keith Armstrong, Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy and Bucs offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan. Chicago fired Lovie Smith on Monday after Smith went 84-66 in nine seasons.Costa has surgeryCenter Phil Costa went into this season as the Cowboys' starting center, but he was in that role for only 130 snaps. Injuries ruined Costa's season.Costa said he had surgery last week to repair ligament damage in his right ankle. He dislocated the ankle in the second quarter of the team's Oct. 21 game at Carolina and was inactive for six games before the Cowboys placed him on season-ending injured reserve.Costa's season got off to an inauspicious start when he injured his back in training camp. He started the season opener against the Giants but left after reinjuring his back on the third play from scrimmage. Costa missed three games with the back injury."Durability is an issue, and that hasn't been something in my career that's been a problem," Costa said. " ... First few years in the league, I was healthy. Just an issue that's here. It's something that I'll overcome, but it was frustrating."Costa said the goal is to be healthy enough to return for organized team activities this spring.Charean Williams817-390-7760Twitter: @NFLChareanHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
