Lovie smith biography coaching options

Lovie Smith

American football coach and previous player (born )

American football player

Lovie Lee Smith (born May 8, ) is an American battleground coach. He has served by reason of the head coach of rank Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Houston Texans of rank National Football League (NFL) become more intense the Illinois Fighting Illini. Metalworker has been to the Boss Bowl twice, as the antiaircraft coordinator for the St. Prizefighter Rams in and head carriage for the Bears in

Early life

Smith was raised in Bulky Sandy, Texas, and was dubbed after his great aunt, Lavana.[1]

Playing career

High school

During Smith's high kindergarten career at Big Sandy, settle down earned all-state honors for top three years as a antisubmarine end and linebacker. His gang won three consecutive state championships from to , including top-hole 0–0 tie in versus Furry. A. Moore's Celina. In , Big Sandy had one marvel at the most dominant seasons cranium high school football history, importance the defense allowed only 15 points (11 shutouts) all season; Their offense, featuring eventual Algonquin Dolphins running back David Overstreet, scored a then-national record points.[2][3]

College

Smith played college football at authority University of Tulsa under intellect coach John Cooper. He was a two-time All-American at back and defensive back.

Coaching career

High school

After graduating from college, explicit immediately pursued a coaching occupation. In , Smith was chartered as defensive coordinator at consummate alma mater, Big Sandy Excessive School. A year later, sand left for Cascia Hall Prefatory School in Tulsa, where yes coached defensive backs and run through receivers from to

College aide coach

Starting in , Smith began coaching linebackers on the academy level. He first served go rotten his alma mater, the Foundation of Tulsa (–86), moving sabotage to the University of Wisconsin–Madison (), Arizona State University (–91), and last coached linebackers mad the college level at distinction University of Kentucky (). Prohibited also served as defensive backs coach at the University provision Tennessee (–94) and Ohio Reestablish University ().

NFL assistant coach

Smith began his NFL coaching life's work as a linebacker coach famine the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In the shade the guidance of head tutor Tony Dungy, he helped become larger the Tampa 2 defense. Care for spending five years with rendering Buccaneers, Smith was hired reorganization the defensive coordinator of justness St. Louis Rams under imagination coach Mike Martz. While essential St. Louis, Smith improved nobleness Rams' defense, which went hit upon giving up a league-worst result per game in , house an average of points suitable game in The Rams won the NFC Championship Game other advanced to Super Bowl 36. The team ultimately lost bolster the New England Patriots nervous tension one of the biggest Manager Bowl upsets of all time.[4]

Chicago Bears

–

The Chicago Bears hired Adventurer as head coach in , following the dismissal of Sleuth Jauron. Upon arriving in City, Smith stated he had connect goals: beat the Green Scream Packers, win the NFC Arctic, and win a Super Bowl.[5] His first season with primacy Bears was a struggle, raid implementing new offensive and jealous systems, to a series be expeditious for injuries, including a season-ending articulatio injury to starting quarterback Rex Grossman. The team finished stay alive a 5–11 record.[6] Despite their poor offense, the Bears' redoubt saw significant improvement, rising running away 22nd in to 13th neat

In , history repeated upturn when Grossman suffered a terrible injury during the preseason challenging missed a majority of righteousness season.[7] In the absence possession Grossman, Smith and defensive master of ceremonies Ron Rivera structured a central defense and the timely hurl of backup quarterback Kyle Orton to earn an 11–5 take pictures of, after starting the season channel of communication a 1–3 record. The Bears' defense finished second in decency league in terms of yardage, while allowing the fewest score in the league.[8]

The Bears' graphic turnaround in the season justified Smith national recognition, which counted earning the Associated PressNFL Educator of the Year Award. Sustenance returning to the field later their first round bye, integrity Bears played the Carolina Panthers, with a fully-healed Grossman cultivate quarterback. Both the Bears' behaviour and defense struggled to hide up with the Panthers, stomach they eventually lost 29–[9]

Smith advocate the Bears' management drew censure in April by trading desert their first round pick, significance well as drafting five jealous players.[10] The preseason criticism appended when he announced Grossman, who struggled to move the Bears' offense during the preseason, would remain the starting quarterback.[11] Grossman led the Bears to cardinal consecutive victories, but struggled next to the later portion of magnanimity season. Despite his performance, Sculptor stood by Grossman, stating "Rex is our quarterback" when doubtful by the media.[12] The Bears finished the season with trim 13–3 record, earning the NFC's top playoff seed. The Bears finished the season with primacy NFL's second-ranked scoring offense, duct fifth-ranked overall defense.[13]

Smith led leadership Bears to a 27–24 dismay in overtime against the policing NFC champion, the Seattle Seahawks, during the Divisional Playoffs, receipt the first playoff win watch his career. The Bears went on to a 39–14 acquirement against the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship Sport. Smith became the first Jet head coach (and the without fear or favour minority coach, behind Tom Flores) to lead his team equal a Super Bowl. Hours succeeding, the Indianapolis Colts' head bus, Tony Dungy, Smith's good magazine columnist and mentor, became the subordinate. The colleagues became the extreme two African American head coaches to oppose each other hit down a Super Bowl.[14][15] The Bears went on to lose 1 Bowl XLI 29–[16]

–

Following Chicago's flourishing season, Smith requested a allotment raise. At $ million, blooper was the lowest-paid coach develop the NFL in Smith would have earned $ million pierce the final season of government four-year contract. After a dead in contract negotiations, the Bears signed Smith to a unusual four-year contract worth $22 packet on March 1.[17] However, of course parted ways with defensive moderator Ron Rivera, who was whine re-signed after his contract invalid. Additionally, four other members take possession of Smith's coaching staff left magnanimity team as well.[18]

In , Sculptor, confident in Rex Grossman's characteristics, named him the team's primary quarterback over Kyle Orton leading Brian Griese. After the body started the season with uncluttered 1–2 record, Smith announced delay Griese would replace Grossman. Griese led the Bears to copperplate 2–3 record,[19] but sustained type injury against the Oakland Raiders, which allowed Grossman to evolve into the team's starting quarterback brush up. However, Grossman was later offended in the season, and was temporarily relieved by Griese. Metalworker ultimately allowed Orton to section the remainder of the spell 1, who led the Bears harangue a 2–1 record. The team's inconsistency at the quarterback plant, and failure to establish adroit proper running game, contributed give permission the team's 7–9 finish. Long forgotten the team finished last hassle the NFC North, Smith was pleased that the team distraught the season by winning their last two games. Bob Babich, Rivera's replacement as the team's defensive coordinator, was also criticized for his play calling.

The next year, Smith and high-mindedness Bears parted ways with their leading rusher Cedric Benson, introduction well as passer Griese, with receiver Bernard Berrian.[20] Smith confirmed Orton as the team's individualist quarterback, who started the bout with an upset victory look the other way the Indianapolis Colts. The Bears went 2–2, with two in the fullness of time losses. Despite the team desisting to fall below for grandeur remainder of the season, they missed the playoffs after forfeiture their season finale to excellence Houston Texans. Smith was glad with the success of Orton, who finished the season plus a quarterback rating, as spasm as rookie running back Exactly Forte. After the season's last part, Smith demoted Babich and took over defensive play-calling responsibilities. Loosen up was also reunited with long-time friend, Rod Marinelli, who esoteric lost his head coaching club with the Detroit Lions.[21]

In goodness offseason, Smith and the Bears' general manager Jerry Angelo confidential conflicting views on the forward-thinking of the team's quarterback differ. While Smith was content set about Orton, Angelo was more compassionate in creating a long-term meaning to the position. Angelo early enough traded Orton and three author picks (the Bears' and first-round draft picks, as well gorilla their third-round pick) to distinction Denver Broncos for Jay Cutler.[22] The team's high expectations were quickly grounded when the Bears struggled in November, losing quadruplet of five games. The Bears were eliminated from the playoff race for the third orthodox year, after losing to ethics Green Bay Packers during a-one Week 14 matchup. The bereavement marked the first time lapse the Bears, under Lovie Economist, had ever lost two dauntlesss to Green Bay in unadorned single season.

A week tail the loss to Green Recess, it was reported that, in spite of rumors about changes to justness Bears coaching staff, Smith would remain the team's head coach.[23] Angelo refused to confirm these reports when addressing the publicity the following Sunday.[24] Smith ripened out the season with ordered wins against the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions. Surmount victory over Detroit marked monarch th game as the team's head coach.[25]

After the season's ending, the Bears' organization announced drift Smith would return. However, they fired offensive coordinator Ron Historian and three other offensive coaches. Smith was reunited with Turner's replacement, Mike Martz, who difficult been the head coach finance the St. Louis Rams considering that Smith was their defensive anchorman. Smith was relieved of king defensive play-calling responsibilities, while Babich was officially demoted as decency team's defensive coordinator.[26] Marinelli was promoted to the position.[27]

In , the Bears finished 11–5 scale the season and first fluky the NFC North, but gone to the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game.[28]

In , the Bears went 7–3, but after losing Cutler command somebody to a broken thumb,[29] the Bears lost five straight games, uncomplicated first in Smith's career,[30] bias 8–8. At the end place the season, Angelo was dismissed, and Martz resigned.[31]Phil Emery, who worked under Smith during goodness season as an area guide for the Bears, became justness new general manager.[32] Bears' attacking line coach Mike Tice replaced Martz at offensive coordinator.[33]

The Bears started the season on fastidious promising note with a 7–1 record. The team's defense stratified first in takeaways, third run to ground points allowed, and fifth send yards allowed. However, the line-up lost five of their adhere to eight games. In Week 13 of the season, the Bears recorded their th takeaway subordinate to Smith.[34]

The Bears finished the edible with a 10–6 record, on the contrary missed the playoffs for high-mindedness fifth time in six existence. On December 31, , Mormon was fired as head carriage of the Chicago Bears. Metalworker departed the Bears with ninespot years of service, three playoff appearances, one Coach of authority Year award, and one Gaffer Bowl appearance.[35]

Prior to sitting cream the season, Smith interviewed block the Philadelphia Eagles[36] and primacy Buffalo Bills,[37] regarding their tendency coaching vacancies.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On January 7, , Smith requited to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' as the 10th head trainer in their franchise history. As to his first stint with rectitude Buccaneers, Smith said, "We plainspoken lay a foundation for City Bay Buccaneer football, there's exceptional certain brand of football desert you expected from us. Desert would be relentless, you frolic hard, physical, but there was a brand of football delay you did get from undeserved each week at Raymond Book Stadium. It was hard keep watch on opponents to come in challenging win."[38][39] Smith also interviewed make the head coaching vacancies engaged by the Houston Texans[40] gain the Detroit Lions,[41] prior have knowledge of securing the role with justness Buccaneers.

On January 6, , Smith was fired after transmittal a record of 8–24 touch a chord his two years, including spiffy tidy up 6–10 record in the season.[42][43]

University of Illinois

On March 7, , Smith returned to college m and was named head trainer for the University of Algonquin, agreeing to a contract profitable $21 million over six years.[44][45] In the 48 hours adjacent the announcement of the Economist hire, the university sold domination 2, new season tickets duct more than new student interval tickets.[46]

When Smith's contract was sanctioned by the university's board elect trustees at their September accession, $2 million of the sincere wages was moved from the resolute two years of the understanding and made payable in in advance years. Additionally, the contract incomplete for up to $8 gazillion in performance bonuses.[47]

On October 19, , the Fighting Illini confidential their most significant win in that Smith took over as attitude coach with a 24–23 griefstricken over then #6 Wisconsin. Go wool-gathering season, Smith led the Armed conflict Illini to a 6–6 common season record and they distressed their first bowl game owing to Smith was fired on Dec 13, , after Illinois under way the season with a 2–5 record. He finished with be over overall record of 17–39 display five seasons at Illinois, counting a 10–33 record in Rough Ten Conference play.[48]

Houston Texans

Smith was hired on March 10, , by the Houston Texans though their associate head coach dispatch defensive coordinator under head guru David Culley, marking Smith's be foremost time in the NFL by reason of , when he served kind head coach of the City Bay Buccaneers.[49] In Smith's final season leading the Texans' take care of in , Houston recorded 25 total takeaways, which tied expend 10th in the NFL, to the fullest extent a finally intercepting % of opponent ephemeral attempts, the fifth-highest rate wrapping the league.[50]

He was promoted spoil head coach on February 7, [51] Smith had previously interviewed for the Texans' head lesson job in December , whirl location they decided to hire Friend State head coach and prior New England Patriots assistant Reward O'Brien on January 3, [52]

Smith was fired on January 8, , after the Texans went 3–13–1 in the season.[53] Rendering firing occurred hours after class Texans won their season use up against the Indianapolis Colts, which cost them the first comprehensive pick in the NFL draw up. Instead, the pick went gap his former team, the City Bears.[54]

Personal life

Smith and his better half, MaryAnne, have three sons.[55]

Smith, whose mother is blind because endorse diabetes, is an active devotee of the American Diabetes Association.[56][57] He and his wife archetypal also the founders of blue blood the gentry Lovie and MaryAnne Smith Found, a program which provides academic and life skill opportunities disperse worthy young people who ad if not face barriers in reaching their educational goals.[55][58] He was primacy Grand Marshal for the USG Sheetrock NASCAR Nextel Cup Panel race at Chicagoland Speedway apprehend July 15, [59]

Smith is organized devout Christian and has unbidden every month to Brown's Asylum, his former Methodist church make happen Texas.[60] In , Smith was inducted into the Texas Amusements Hall of Fame, along house Bubba Smith, Dave Parks, Andre Ware, Mack Brown and Fred Couples.[61]

Head coaching record

NFL

College

References

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  2. ^Drehs, Wayne (January 28, ). "Big Sandy Loves Lovie". ESPN. Retrieved August 16,
  3. ^Beilue, Jon Daub (December 14, ). "'75 Sketchy Sandy: Legendary team was practised handful". Archived from the earliest on August 29, Retrieved Honoured 16,
  4. ^"Biggest Super Bowl Upsets: Will The Hawks Join That List?". January 24, Retrieved Revered 16,
  5. ^Pompei, Dan (December 31, ). "Lovie Smith out fend for 9 seasons as Bears coach". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 1,
  6. ^Chicago Suntimes, Rex barks, Vikings bite Retrieved on December 21, Archived September 21, , take into account the Wayback Machine
  7. ^Dodd, Mike (December 19, ). "Grossman's return energizes Bears in win over Falcons". USA Today. Retrieved March 7,
  8. ^Yahoo! Sports, NFL Statistics Stomachturning Team - Retrieved on July 2,
  9. ^Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, NFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF: PANTHERS 29 BEARS 21 Retrieved on December 21, [dead link&#;]
  10. ^"Ask David Haugh". Retrieved August 16,
  11. ^Smith feels Bears are primed for playoffsArchived Apr 6, , at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on January 12,
  12. ^Rosenthal, Gregg (December 5, ). "Lovie Smith: We're not mark anyone". . NBC Sports. Retrieved November 18,
  13. ^" Chicago Bears statistics". Retrieved August 16,
  14. ^Pells, Eddie (January 22, ). "Super comeback: Colts rally to take aback Patriots". Retrieved August 16,
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  16. ^Indianapolis 29, Chicago 17Archived January 4, , at the Wayback Killing (English)
  17. ^"Smith, Angelo sign long-term occupational extensions". Chicago Bears. February 28, Archived from the original impeach March 3, Retrieved August 16,
  18. ^"Smith, Angelo sign long-term occupational extensions". February 28, Archived disseminate the original on March 3, Retrieved August 16,
  19. ^,Griese replaces Grossman as starting quarterbackArchived Apr 6, , at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved on September 26,
  20. ^Mayer, Larry (June 13, ). "How does ex-Bears RB Neal Anderson stack up?". . Archived from the original on June 17, Retrieved June 19,
  21. ^"Marinelli out as Bears defensive coordinator". . Sports Illustrated. January 17, Retrieved December 7,
  22. ^"Broncos set free Cutler to Bears for Orton, 3 picks". . April 2, Retrieved January 25,
  23. ^Mullin, Can (December 18, ). "Mullin: Lovie will Return as Bears Professor in ". Comcast SportsNet. Archived from the original on Dec 28, Retrieved December 21,
  24. ^Leahy, Sean (December 21, ). "Bears GM Jerry Angelo fails nurse give Lovie Smith a suffrage of confidence". USA Today. Retrieved December 21,
  25. ^"Lovie at Ascent 10 Lovieisms". Chicago Tribune. Jan 3, Archived from the advanced on January 6, Retrieved Jan 11,
  26. ^Mayer, Larry (January 6, ). "Bears to hire shine unsteadily coordinators for first time on account of ". . Archived from decency original on January 9, Retrieved January 11,
  27. ^"Rod Marinelli: Metropolis Bears' Defensive Coordinator". Bleacher Report. Retrieved January 25,
  28. ^"Packers batter Bears 21–14 to advance look after Super Bowl". January 23, Retrieved August 16,
  29. ^"Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler breaks thumb delete win over San Diego Chargers – NFL News &#; Bloke Sports on MSN". November 21, Retrieved August 16,
  30. ^"Loss permission Pack ends Bears' playoff hopes". December 25, Archived from depiction original on August 19, Retrieved August 16,
  31. ^Jensen, Sean (January 3, ). "Jerry Angelo dismissed as Bears general manager, Martz resigns – Inside the Bears". Archived from the original insurrection April 14, Retrieved August 16,
  32. ^"New GM Phil Emery shows coach Lovie Smith some liking – Chicago Sun-Times". Retrieved Honourable 16,
  33. ^"Mike Tice to assign Bears' O-coordinator". January 7, Retrieved August 16,
  34. ^Billick, Brian (December 5, ). "Chicago Bears' sweltering amorous defense continues to make class difference". National Football League. Retrieved December 5,
  35. ^Rosenthal, Gregg. "Lovie Smith fired as Chicago Bears coach". . Retrieved December 31,
  36. ^"Eagles to interview Lovie Smith". NBC Sports. January 8, Retrieved January 8,
  37. ^"Lovie Smith interviews with Bills". . January 5, Retrieved January 5,
  38. ^"Buccaneers phase in Lovie Smith". . January 6,
  39. ^"Returning 'home,' Lovie Smith vows to return Bucs to relevance". Archived from the original vision January 7, Retrieved March 27,
  40. ^"Texans want to interview Lovie Smith about head coaching vacancy". FanSided. December 6, Retrieved Dec 6,
  41. ^"Lovie Smith to press conference with Detroit Lions". January 1, Retrieved January 1,
  42. ^"Buccaneers Unsaddle depose Lovie Smith". Tampa Bay Buccaneers. January 6, Archived from righteousness original on January 9, Retrieved January 6,
  43. ^ESPN News Repair (January 6, ). "Buccaneers fervour coach Lovie Smith". . Retrieved January 6,
  44. ^"Lovie Smith Forename Illinois Football Coach". Illinois DIA. March 7, Retrieved March 7,
  45. ^Ryan, Shannon. "Illinois hires Lovie Smith as next football coach". . Retrieved March 7,
  46. ^"Illini attendance to receive big ambition from Lovie Smith hire". Go on foot 8, Retrieved August 14,
  47. ^"Illinois OKs six-year, $21 million put your name down for Lovie Smith". Chicago Tribune. September 8, Retrieved September 16,
  48. ^Rittenberg, Adam; Schlabach, Mark (December 13, ). "Lovie Smith get along as head football coach dressing-down Illinois Fighting Illini after 5 seasons". . Retrieved December 13,
  49. ^"Houston Texans Announce Assistant Individual instruction Staff". . March 10, Retrieved March 10,
  50. ^"Lovie Smith's History | Houston Texans Head Omnibus Search". . Retrieved February 7,
  51. ^"Houston Texans hire Lovie Explorer as Head Coach". Houston Texans. February 7, Retrieved February 7,
  52. ^Gantt, Darin (December 6, ). "Lovie Smith will be send out the Texans interview list". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 15,
  53. ^"Statement from Texans Chair and President Cal McNair and General Head Nick Caserio on Lovie Smith". Houston Texans. January 8, Retrieved January 8,
  54. ^"Lovie Smith laid-off by Texans, whose victorious polish off gave Bears the No. 1 pick - The Boston Globe". . Retrieved January 11,
  55. ^ ab"Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Lovie Smith". Archived from the original establish November 24, Retrieved December 7,
  56. ^Staff Writer (February 2, ). "Chicago Bears' Coach Lovie Smith's Mom Passes Away at 77". . Retrieved January 3,
  57. ^Powers, Jim (February 12, ). "Bears Coach, Wife Head Diabetes Fund-raiser". . Retrieved January 3,
  58. ^"The Charitable Side of Da Bears". . Vox Media, Inc. July 2, Retrieved December 7,
  59. ^Mayer, Larry, Smith to serve renovation Grand Marshal of NASCAR raceArchived September 29, , at righteousness Wayback Machine (June 27, ), Retrieved on June 28,
  60. ^"Lovie Smith still a hometown guy". . January 29,
  61. ^"Smith inducted into Texas Sports HOF". Archived from the original on Amble 2, Retrieved March 1,
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External links