(MCT) — CHICAGO — Twenty-four hours after he fired Lovie Smith, Phil Emery made it meticulously clear the decision wasn’t reached simply after the Bears were eliminated from the playoff race Sunday night.

The general manager, whom President Ted Phillips required to work with Smith for at least one year when he was hired 11 months ago, outlined Tuesday what will be a thorough and wide search for the 13th head coach in franchise history. Four candidates have been identified — offensive coordinators Mike McCoy (Broncos) and Mike Sullivan (Buccaneers) and special teams coaches Keith Armstrong (Falcons) and Joe DeCamillis (Cowboys) — and interviews are scheduled through next week.