The Associated Press

LAKE FOREST, Ill. - After turning around the St. Louis Rams' defense, Lovie Smith is taking on the Chicago Bears.

Smith was hired Wednesday as the Bears' new head coach. He was given a four-year deal to replace Dick Jauron, who was fired Dec. 29.

Smith will be introduced at a news conference today.

"There's a position right for everyone," Smith said Tuesday while in Chicago for his second interview. "And I'm hoping this position is what is right for me."

Smith was the Rams' defensive coordinator for the past three seasons and spent five years as a position coach at Tampa Bay. He also was a college coach for 13 years.

"I've gone through the proper channels to be a head football coach," Smith said.

BILLS: Mike Mularkey was hired as coach Wednesday, his first head coaching job after 10 years as an assistant.

Mularkey, who spent the last three seasons as the Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive coordinator, replaces Gregg Williams, fired after a 6-10 season.

Under Mularkey, the Steelers' offense ranked in the top five for two of the last three seasons. The Steelers slipped to 22nd this season.

After having one of the best offenses in 2002, the Bills ranked 30th this season.

Buffalo finished 3-13 and 8-8 in Williams' first two seasons.

HALL OF FAME: John Elway and Barry Sanders, both in their first year of eligibility, were among 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Wednesday.

Two candidates, tackle Bob Brown and wide receiver Bob Hayes, were recommended by the Hall's senior committee.

The other finalists are wide receiver Art Monk; defensive ends Richard Dent, Carl Eller, and Jim Marshall; guard Bob Kuechenberg; safety Cliff Harris; cornerback Lester Hayes; and tackles Rayfield Wright and Gary Zimmerman.

Linebacker Harry Carson and general manager George Young are automatic finalists because of their high finish in last year's voting.

Team owners Art Modell and Ralph Wilson Jr. did not make the list.

49ERS: Quarterback Jeff Garcia was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving early Wednesday. Garcia, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, was booked into the Santa Clara County jail at about 3:30 a.m., spokesman Mark Cursi said. Garcia was released six hours later. He is scheduled to make a court appearance March 1.