Lovie Smith facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Lovie Smith

Smith with the Houston 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 an American professional football coach. He has been a head coach for several teams. These include the Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Houston Texans in the National Football League (NFL). He also coached the Illinois Fighting Illini college team. Smith reached the Super Bowl twice. First, as a defensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams in 2001. Later, as the head coach for the Bears in 2006.

Early Life and Football Beginnings

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

High School Football Star

During his time at Big Sandy, Smith was an amazing player. He earned all-state honors for three years. He played 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. Their offense scored a national record of 824 points.

College Playing Career

Smith played college football at the University of Tulsa. He was a two-time All-American player. He excelled as both a linebacker and a defensive back.

Lovie Smith's Coaching Journey

After college, Smith quickly 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.

College Assistant Coach

Starting in 1983, Smith coached linebackers at the college level. He coached at his alma mater, the University of Tulsa. He also coached at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Arizona State University, and the University of Kentucky. Later, he coached defensive backs at the University of Tennessee and Ohio State University.

NFL Assistant Coach

Smith began coaching in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was a linebacker coach. He helped create the "Tampa 2" defense, which was a special way to play defense. After five years, Smith became the defensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams. He greatly improved the Rams' defense. They went from giving up many points to much fewer. The Rams reached Super Bowl XXXVI in 2001, but they lost the game.

Head Coach: Chicago Bears Era

Lovie Smith at the Chicago Bears 2007 training camp

The Chicago Bears hired Smith as their head coach in 2004. When he arrived, Smith had three main goals. He wanted to beat the Green Bay Packers, win the NFC North division, and win a Super Bowl.

Building a Strong Defense (2004–2006)

Smith's first season with the Bears was tough. The team had many injuries and finished with a 5–11 record. However, the Bears' defense got much better.

In 2005, the Bears' starting quarterback got injured again. Smith and his defensive coordinator built a very strong defense. The team finished with an 11–5 record. Their defense was one of the best in the league. This success earned Smith the Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year Award. The Bears made the playoffs but lost to the Carolina Panthers.

In 2006, the Bears had an amazing season. They finished with a 13–3 record. This made them the top team in their conference for the playoffs. The Bears' offense was ranked second in the NFL for scoring. Their defense was also one of the best.

Smith led the Bears to two playoff victories. They beat the Seattle Seahawks and then the New Orleans Saints. This win sent them to Super Bowl XLI. Smith became the first Black head coach to lead his team to a Super Bowl. In that Super Bowl, he faced his good friend and mentor, Tony Dungy. Dungy was the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. This was the first time two African American head coaches played against each other in a Super Bowl. The Bears lost Super Bowl XLI.

Later Years with the Bears (2007–2012)

Smith with the Chicago Bears in 2009

Smith at training camp, 2009

After their Super Bowl season, Smith signed a new contract with the Bears. However, some of his coaching staff left the team. The next few seasons were challenging for the Bears. They struggled to find a consistent quarterback. In 2009, the Bears traded for quarterback Jay Cutler. This brought high expectations, but the team still missed the playoffs.

In 2010, the Bears had a strong season, finishing 11–5. They won their division and made it to the NFC Championship Game. However, they lost to the Green Bay Packers.

In 2011, the Bears started well but lost their quarterback to injury. They ended the season with an 8–8 record. In 2012, the Bears began with a great 7–1 record. Their defense was one of the best in the league at getting the ball back from opponents. But they struggled in the second half of the season. The Bears finished 10–6 but missed the playoffs. On December 31, 2012, Smith was fired as the head coach of the Chicago Bears. He had coached the team for nine years. During that time, they made the playoffs three times and reached one Super Bowl.

Coaching After the Bears

After leaving the Bears, Smith took a year off from coaching in 2013.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Return

On January 7, 2014, Smith returned to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as their head coach. He had been an assistant coach there before. Smith said he wanted to bring back the tough, physical style of football the Buccaneers were known for. He coached the Buccaneers for two seasons. The team had a record of 8–24 during his time there. He was fired on January 6, 2016.

University of Illinois College Coach

On March 7, 2016, Smith went back to college football. He became the head coach for the University of Illinois. This was a big move for the university. Many new season tickets were sold after he was hired.

On October 19, 2019, his team had a big upset win against a highly ranked team. That season, Smith led the Fighting Illini to a 6–6 record. They played in their first bowl game since 2014. Smith was fired on December 13, 2020. He finished his time at Illinois with a record of 17 wins and 39 losses.

Houston Texans Head Coach

Smith was hired by the Houston Texans on March 10, 2021. He started 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 turnovers.

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 the 2022 season. The team finished with a record of 3 wins, 13 losses, and 1 tie. Smith was fired on January 8, 2023. This happened just hours after the Texans won their last game of the season. That win caused them to lose the chance to have the very first pick in the 2023 NFL draft. Instead, that top pick went to his former team, the Chicago Bears.

Personal Life and Community Work

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

Smith's mother was blind due to diabetes. Because of this, he actively supports the American Diabetes Association. He and his wife also started the Lovie and MaryAnne Smith Foundation. This program helps young people get education and life skills. It supports those who might otherwise face challenges in reaching their goals. Smith is a Christian and has supported his former church in Texas every month. In 2012, he was honored by being inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

Coaching Records

NFL Head Coaching Record

College Head Coaching Record