The Houston Texans concluded their search for their fifth full-time coach in team history by promoting defensive coordinator and associate head coach Lovie Smith.
Smith, a defensive guru known for his successful deployment of the Tampa 2, earned his first job with the Chicago Bears from 2004-12 due to his success as the St Louis Rams’ defensive coordinator from 2001-03. From 2014-15, Smith also coached the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
At Smith’s other two stops, there were instances where his role shifted to one of a “walk-around coach” that oversaw all aspects of the team, and he left the defense in the hands of his coordinators.
The 2022 Texans do not have a defensive coordinator listed, which means Smith plans to still stay involved coaching the unit, not simply turning it over to an assistant.
“I’ve been in this position a couple of times, third time being a head football coach,” Smith told reporters on March 2 at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. “Each one of…