Lovie Smith facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Lovie Smith

Smith with the Texans in 2022
Personal information
Born:	(1958-05-08) May 8, 1958 (age 67) Gladewater, Texas, U.S.
Career information
High school:	Big Sandy (TX)
College:	Tulsa
Career history
As coach:
Big Sandy HS (TX) (1980) Defensive coordinator Cascia Hall Prep (OK) (1981–1982) Assistant defensive backs coach & wide receivers coach Tulsa (1983–1986) Linebackers coach Wisconsin (1987) Linebackers coach Arizona State (1988–1991) Linebackers coach Kentucky (1992) Linebackers coach Tennessee (1993–1994) Defensive backs coach Ohio State (1995) Defensive backs coach Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1996) Linebackers coach St. Louis Rams (2001) Defensive coordinator Chicago Bears (2004) Head coach Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2014) Head coach Illinois (2016–2020) Head coach Houston Texans (2021) Associate head coach & defensive coordinator Houston Texans (2022) Head coach
Career highlights and awards
NFL Coach of the Year (2005) 2× Second-team All-American (1978, 1979)
Head coaching record
Regular season:	NFL: 92–100–1 (.479)
Postseason:	NFL: 3–3 (.500)
Career:	NFL: 95–103–1 (.480) NCAA: 17–39 (.304)
Coaching stats at PFR

Lovie Lee Smith (born May 8, 1958) is a well-known American football coach. He has been the head coach for three different teams in the National Football League (NFL): the Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Houston Texans. He also coached the Illinois Fighting Illini college team. Lovie Smith has reached the Super Bowl twice. First, as a defensive coach for the St. Louis Rams in 2001. Later, he led the Bears as their head coach to the Super Bowl in 2006.

Early Life and Playing Days

Lovie Smith grew up in Big Sandy, Texas. He was named after his great aunt, Lavana.

High School Football Star

At Big Sandy, Lovie Smith was an amazing football player. For three years, he earned "all-state" honors as a defensive end and linebacker. His team won three state championships in a row from 1973 to 1975. In 1975, his high school team had one of the best seasons ever. Their defense only allowed 15 points all season, with 11 games where the other team scored zero!

College Football Career

Smith continued playing college football at the University of Tulsa. He was a two-time All-American player, meaning he was recognized as one of the best college players in the country. He played both linebacker and defensive back.

Coaching Journey

After college, Lovie Smith immediately started his coaching career.

Early Coaching Roles

In 1980, Smith became the defensive coordinator at his old high school, Big Sandy. A year later, he moved to Cascia Hall Preparatory School in Tulsa. There, he coached defensive backs and wide receivers.

From 1983 to 1995, Smith coached at several colleges. He mostly coached linebackers at places like the University of Tulsa, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Arizona State University, and the University of Kentucky. He also coached defensive backs at the University of Tennessee and Ohio State University.

Becoming an NFL Assistant Coach

Lovie Smith began his NFL coaching journey with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He worked as a linebacker coach. He helped create the famous "Tampa 2" defense, which was a special way of playing defense.

After five years, Smith became the defensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams. He greatly improved the Rams' defense. In 2000, they gave up a lot of points, but by 2001, they allowed much fewer. The Rams won the NFC Championship Game and went to Super Bowl XXXVI. They lost a close game to the New England Patriots.

Head Coach in the NFL

Leading the Chicago Bears

Lovie Smith at a Chicago Bears training camp in 2007

The Chicago Bears hired Lovie Smith as their head coach in 2004. He had three main goals: beat the Green Bay Packers, win their division (the NFC North), and win a Super Bowl. His first season was tough, and the team finished with a 5–11 record. However, the defense improved a lot.

In 2005, the Bears' defense became one of the best in the league. They allowed the fewest points of any team. This amazing turnaround earned Smith the Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year Award.

In 2006, Smith led the Bears to an impressive 13–3 record. They earned the top spot in their conference for the playoffs. The Bears won their first two playoff games, beating the Seattle Seahawks and the New Orleans Saints. Smith became the first Black head coach to lead his team to a Super Bowl. In Super Bowl XLI, the Bears played against the Indianapolis Colts, led by Tony Dungy, who was Smith's good friend and mentor. This was the first time two African American head coaches faced each other in a Super Bowl. The Bears unfortunately lost the game 29–17.

Smith with the Chicago Bears in 2009

Smith at training camp in 2009

From 2007 to 2012, Smith continued to coach the Bears. The team had some ups and downs. In 2010, the Bears finished 11–5 and won their division again. They made it to the NFC Championship Game but lost to the Green Bay Packers.

In 2012, the Bears started strong with a 7–1 record. Their defense was one of the best in the NFL at getting the ball back from opponents. However, they struggled in the second half of the season and missed the playoffs. On December 31, 2012, Lovie Smith was fired as the Bears' head coach. He had coached the team for nine years, made three playoff appearances, won a Coach of the Year award, and led them to one Super Bowl.

Return to Tampa Bay

On January 7, 2014, Lovie Smith went back to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, this time as their head coach. He had coached there before as an assistant. Smith said he wanted to bring back the "relentless" and "physical" style of football that the Buccaneers were known for. However, after two seasons with a record of 8 wins and 24 losses, Smith was fired on January 6, 2016.

Coaching College at Illinois

On March 7, 2016, Smith returned to college football. He became the head coach for the University of Illinois. This was a big deal, and many new season tickets were sold after the announcement.

In 2019, Smith led the Fighting Illini to a huge upset victory over the #6 ranked Wisconsin team. That season, his team finished with a 6–6 record and played in a bowl game for the first time since 2014. Smith was fired on December 13, 2020, after the team started the season with a 2–5 record. He finished his time at Illinois with 17 wins and 39 losses.

Coaching the Houston Texans

On March 10, 2021, Smith was hired by the Houston Texans as their associate head coach and defensive coordinator. This was his first time back in the NFL since 2015. In his first season with the Texans, their defense was very good at getting takeaways (like interceptions and fumbles).

He was promoted to head coach of the Texans on February 7, 2022. Smith had interviewed for this job before in 2013. He coached the Texans for one season, finishing with a record of 3 wins, 13 losses, and 1 tie. He was fired on January 8, 2023. Interestingly, the Texans' win in their final game of the season meant they lost the chance to pick first in the 2023 NFL draft. That top pick instead went to his former team, the Chicago Bears.

Personal Life

Lovie Smith and his wife, MaryAnne, have three sons.

Smith's mother is blind due to diabetes, so he actively supports the American Diabetes Association. He and his wife also started the Lovie and MaryAnne Smith Foundation. This foundation helps young people get educational and life skill opportunities, especially those who might face challenges in reaching their goals. Smith is a dedicated Christian and has given money every month to his former Methodist church in Texas. In 2012, he was honored by being inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

Head Coaching Record

NFL

College