Report: Lovie Smith targeted to join NFL staff

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Lovie Smith might be on his way back to the NFL. According to Tom Pelissero, the Houston Texans are looking for Smith to join David Culley’s new staff.

Reports that the Texans were set to hire Culley only broke hours before the Smith reports.

Smith is best known for coaching the Bears from 2004-2012 and leading the team to an NFC Championship in 2006. His Tampa-2 defense was one of the best in the league during his tenure, known for outstanding linebacker play and emphasizing takeaways.

Smith hasn’t coached at the NFL level since 2015 when he was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach. For the past five years he was the head coach of the Illinois Fighting Illini.

Smith has an 89-87 record as a head coach in the NFL, including an 81-63 record with the Bears. He was less successful as a college coach, leading the Illini to a 14-39 record. The Bears won three NFC North titles under Smith, and he was recognized with the Coach of the Year award in 2005. He also made history as the first Black coach to lead his team to the Super Bowl, only hours before Tony Dungy became the second Black coach to earn a Super Bowl berth.

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