CHAMPAIGN – Two years ago, Ron Turner left Dave Wannstedt and the Chicago Bears. But the phone lines between Halas Hall and Turner's Memorial Stadium office stayed busy.

On Monday, Turner made another round of calls to his former employers. They were the kind coaches hate to make.

Turner talked to several of the Bears assistants after the team fired Wannstedt. Turner left a message for Wannstedt, his boss for four years.

"It's the nature of the business," Turner said. "We all know what happens. You've got to win.

"I feel part of it. I spent four years with those guys. It's very disappointing."

The Bears went 4-12 in Wannstedt's final two seasons. He was 41-57 overall, going 1-1 in the playoffs.

"I was hoping they'd stick with him and realize the injury situation and the run of bad luck they've had for three years," Turner said. "I believe Dave's an outstanding coach and a great motivator. I know players respond to him very well."

Wannstedt won't have any trouble landing another job, Turner said. A head coaching job might be possible.

But another job won't ease Wannstedt's pain about losing with the Bears.

"He went there with high expectations and wanted to take that team to the Super Bowl," Turner said.

Other NFL coaches fired Monday were Carolina's Dom Capers, Seattle's Dennis Erickson, Baltimore's Ted Marchibroda and Philadelphia's Ray Rhodes.

Cincinnati coach Bruce Coslet, whose team went 3-13, will be retained, the team said.

The Bengals tied the Eagles and Indianapolis Colts for the league's worst record.

The fired coaches' teams combined to go 25-55 this season.