Texans Hire Former Bears And Illini Coach Lovie Smith As Defensive Coordinator
HOUSTON (CBS/AP) — The Houston Texans have hired Lovie Smith as defensive coordinator, one of many new additions to first-year coach David Culley's staff.
Smith, who will also hold the title of associate head coach, coached at Illinois from 2016 until he was fired in December. He coached the Bears from 2004-12, the Buccaneers from 2014-15, and has been an assistant with the Rams in a decades-long coaching career which began as a high school assistant in Texas in 1980. Smith led the Bears to the NFC title in 2006 before losing in the Super Bowl to the Colts.
Romeo Crennel, the interim coach last season following Bill O'Brien's dismissal after an 0-4 start, will remain with the team as the senior adviser for football performance.
Smith, who is Black, is the second minority candidate to be hired this offseason after the Miami Dolphins hired San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, who is biracial, on Sunday.
Smith spent last season as Houston's associate head coach and defensive coordinator. He will take over for David Culley, who is also Black, and was fired after one season.
Smith got picked over finalist Brian Flores, who is filing suit against the NFL and three of its teams for racial discrimination.
Flores issued a statement through his legal team applauding the Texans for hiring a Black man, but questioning why he wasn't offered the job.
"We would be remiss not to mention that Mr. Flores was one of three finalists for the Texans' head coach position and, after a great interview and mutual interest, it is obvious that the only reason Mr. Flores was not selected was his decision to stand up against racial inequality across the NFL," his legal team said in a statement.
The Texans had been criticized by some in the media this week for even considering McCown for the position since the 42-year-old former NFL quarterback has never coached at any level aside from volunteering with his son's high school team. McCown spent part of the 2020 season on Houston's practice squad before retiring following a 17-year career.
The Texans raved about the qualities Smith brings to the team.
"He is one of the most respected coaches in the NFL and an established leader," Houston general manager Nick Caserio said in a statement. "A proven winner, Lovie has shown the ability to develop players both on and off the field for years. We had numerous discussions with countless coaches, executives, and players, and what revealed itself is that Lovie has both the leadership and people skills it takes to lead us forward."
The 63-year-old Smith joined the Texans last offseason after spending 2016-2020 as the coach at Illinois.
The Texans also retained offensive coordinator Tim Kelly and running backs coach Danny Barrett from last year's staff.
Other new additions to the Texans staff are special teams coordinator Frank Ross, passing game coordinator Pep Hamilton, wide receivers coach Robert Prince, and tight ends coach Andy Bischoff. The Texans also added James Campen to coach the offensive line, Bobby King as the defensive line coach, Miles Smith to coach linebackers, Greg Jackson as safeties coach and cornerbacks coach Dino Vasso.
(© Copyright 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)