Lovie Smith

Lovie Smith

Photograph of Smith wearing a Bears pullover jacket, Bears baseball cap and headset on the Bears sideline

Smith with the Chicago Bears in November 2009
Illinois Fighting Illini
Position: Head coach
Personal information
Date of birth: (1958-05-08) May 8, 1958
Place of birth: Gladewater, Texas
Career information
High school: Big Sandy (TX)
College: Tulsa
Career history
As coach:
Career highlights and awards
Head coaching record
Regular season: 89–87 (.506)
Postseason: 3–3 (.500)
Career: 92–90 (.505)
Coaching stats at PFR

Lovie Lee Smith (born May 8, 1958) is the head football coach at the University of Illinois. He was previously the head coach of the Chicago Bears from 2004 to 2012, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2014 to 2015. Smith has been to the Super Bowl twice, as the defensive coordinator for the 2001 St. Louis Rams and as the head coach for the Bears in 2006.

Earlier life

Lovie Smith was born in Gladewater and raised in Big Sandy, Texas.[1] He was named after his great aunt, Lavana.[2]

Playing career

High school

During Smith's high school career at Big Sandy, he earned all-state honors for three years as a defensive end and linebacker. His team won three consecutive state championships in 1973–75, including a 0–0 tie in 1974 versus G. A. Moore's Celina. In 1975, Big Sandy had one of the most dominant seasons in high school football history, as the defense allowed only 15 points (11 shutouts) all season, while the offense, featuring eventual Miami Dolphins running back David Overstreet, scored a then-national record 824 points.[3]

College

Smith played college football at University of Tulsa under head coach John Cooper. He was a two-time All-American at linebacker and safety.

Coaching career

High school

After graduation he immediately pursued a coaching career. He was hired as defensive coordinator at his Big Sandy alma mater in 1980. A year later he left for Cascia Hall Preparatory School in Tulsa in 1981 and 1982, coaching defensive backs and wide receivers.

College assistant coach

In 1983, Smith began coaching linebackers on the college level, first at his alma mater the University of Tulsa (1983–86), and then at University of Wisconsin–Madison (1987), Arizona State University (1988–91), and the University of Kentucky (1992). He also served as defensive backs coach at the University of Tennessee (1993–94), and Ohio State University (1995).

NFL assistant coach (1996–2003)

Smith began his NFL coaching career as a linebacker coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Under the guidance of Tony Dungy, he helped develop the Tampa 2 defense. After spending five years with Buccaneers, Smith was hired as the defensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams under head coach Mike Martz. While in St. Louis, Smith improved the Rams defense, which went from giving up a league-worst 29.4 points per game in 2000 to an average of 17.1 points in 2001. The Rams won the 2001 NFC Championship and advanced to Super Bowl XXXVI. The team ultimately lost to the New England Patriots in one of the biggest Super Bowl upsets of all time.[4]

Chicago Bears head coach (2004–2012)

2004–2006

The Chicago Bears hired Smith as head coach in 2004, following the dismissal of Dick Jauron. Upon arriving in Chicago, Smith stated he had three goals: beat the Green Bay Packers; win the NFC North; and win a Super Bowl.[5] He struggled during his first season with the Bears, as the installation of new offensive and defensive systems and a series of injuries, including a season-ending knee injury to starting quarterback Rex Grossman, contributed to a 5–11 record.[6] Despite their poor offense, the Bears’ defense saw some major improvement, rising from 22nd in 2003 to 13th in 2004.

In 2005, history repeated itself when quarterback Rex Grossman suffered a serious injury during the preseason and missed a majority of the season.[7] Despite Grossman's loss, Smith and Ron Rivera used a dominant defense and the timely play of backup quarterback Kyle Orton to earn an 11–5 record, after starting the season with a 1–3 record. The Bears defense finished second in the league in terms of yardage, while allowing the fewest points in the league.[8]

The Bears’ dramatic turn around in the 2005 season earned Smith national recognition. He won the Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year Award that year. After returning to the field following their first round bye, the Bears played the Carolina Panthers, with a fully healed Rex Grossman as quarterback. Both the Bears’ offense and defense struggled to keep up with the Panthers, and eventually lost, 29–21.[9]

Smith and the Bears’ management drew criticism in April 2006, by trading away their first round pick and drafting five defensive players.[10] The preseason criticism increased when he named Grossman, who struggled to move the Bears’ offense during the preseason, as the Bears' starting quarterback.[11] Grossman led the Bears to seven consecutive victories, but struggled during the later portion of the season. Smith stood by Grossman, stating "Rex is our quarterback" when questioned by the media.[12] The Bears finished the 2006 season with a 13–3 record, earning the NFC’s top playoff seed. The Bears finished the season with the NFL's second-ranked scoring offense, and fifth-ranked overall defense.[13]

Smith led the Bears to a 27–24 victory against the defending NFC champion Seattle Seahawks during the 2006 Divisional Playoffs, winning the first playoff game of his career. Later, a 39–14 victory came against the New Orleans Saints at the NFC Championship. Smith became the first African-American head coach (and the second minority coach, behind Tom Flores) to lead his team to a Super Bowl, just hours before Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy, his good friend and mentor, became the second. The friends together became the first two African American head coaches to oppose each other in a Super Bowl.[14][15] The Bears lost Super Bowl XLI, 29–17, and Smith earned the somewhat dubious honor of being the first African American head coach to lose in the Super Bowl.[16]

2007–2012

Lovie Smith at the Chicago Bears 2007 Training Camp

Following Chicago's successful season, Smith requested a pay raise. The lowest-paid coach in the NFL in 2006 at $1.35 million, Smith would have earned $1.45 million in the final season of a four-year contract. After a stalemate in contract negotiations, the Bears signed Smith to a new four-year contract worth $22 million on March 1.[17] However, he parted with defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, who was not re-signed after his contract expired. Additionally, four other members of Smith's coaching staff also left the team.[18]

In 2007, Smith, confident in Grossman's abilities, named him the team's starting quarterback over Kyle Orton and Brian Griese. After the team started the season with a 1–2 record, Smith announced that Griese would replace Grossman. Griese led the Bears to a 2–3 record,[19] but sustained an injury in a game against the Oakland Raiders, which allowed Grossman to become the team's starting quarterback again. However, Grossman was later injured in the season, and temporarily relieved by Griese. Smith ultimately allowed Kyle Orton to finish the remainder of the season, who led the Bears to a 2–1 record. The team's inconsistency at the quarterback position and failure to establish a proper running game contributed to the team's 7–9 finish. While the team finished last in the NFC North, Smith was pleased that the team ended the season by winning their last two games. Bob Babich, the team's defensive coordinator, was also criticized for his play calling.

The next year, Smith and the Bears parted with their leading rusher Cedric Benson, passer Griese, and receiver Bernard Berrian.[20] Smith declared Kyle Orton as the team's starting quarterback, who started the season with an upset victory over the Indianapolis Colts. The Bears proceeded to go 2–2, with two overtime losses. The team managed to avoid falling below .500 for the remainder of the season, but missed the playoffs after losing their season finale to the Houston Texans. Smith was pleased with the success of rookie running back Matt Forte and quarterback Kyle Orton, who finished the season with a 79.6 quarterback rating. After the season's conclusion, Smith demoted Babich and took over defensive play calling responsibilities. He was also reunited with his long-time friend, Rod Marinelli, who had lost his head coaching job with the Detroit Lions.[21]

Smith at training camp, 2009

Later in the offseason, Smith and general manager Jerry Angelo had conflicting views on the future of the team's quarterback position. While Smith was content with Orton, Angelo was more interested in creating a long-term solution to the position. Angelo traded Orton and the Bears' 2009 and 2010 first round draft picks for Jay Cutler of the Denver Broncos. The team's high expectations were quickly grounded when the Bears struggled in the month of November, losing four of five games. The Bears were eliminated from the playoff race for the third consecutive year after losing to the Green Bay Packers during a Week 14 matchup. The loss marked the first time that the Bears under Lovie Smith had ever lost two games to Green Bay in a single season.

A week after the loss to Green Bay, it was reported that despite rumors about changes to the Bears coaching staff, Smith would remain the team's head coach.[22] Jerry Angelo, the team's general manager, refused to confirm these reports when addressing the media the following Sunday.[23] Smith finished the season with consecutive wins against the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions. His victory over Detroit marked his 100th game as the team's head coach.[24]

After the season's conclusion, the Bears organization announced that Smith would return in 2010. However, the organization fired offensive coordinator Ron Turner and three other offensive coaches. Turner was replaced by Mike Martz, who had been the head coach of the St. Louis Rams when Smith was their defensive coordinator. Smith was relieved of his defensive play-calling responsibilities, while Babich was officially demoted as the team's defensive coordinator.[25] The Bears would go 11–5, but lost to the Packers in the NFC Championship Game.[26]

In 2011, the Bears went 7–3, but after losing quarterback Jay Cutler to a broken thumb,[27] the Bears lost five straight, a first in Smith's career,[28] and finished 8–8. At the end of the season, general manager Jerry Angelo was fired, and offensive coordinator Mike Martz resigned.[29] Phil Emery, who worked for Smith during the 2004 season as an area scout for the Bears, became the new Bears general manager.[30] Bears offensive line coach Mike Tice replaced Martz at offensive coordinator.[31] In Week 13 of the 2012 season, the Bears recorded their 300th takeaway under Smith.[32]

The Bears started the 2012 season on a promising note with a 7-1 record. The team's defense ranked first in takeaways, third in points allowed, and fifth in yard allowed. However, the team lost five of their next eight games. The Bears finished the season with a 10-6 record, but missed the playoffs for the fifth time in six years. On December 31, 2012 Smith was fired as head coach of the Chicago Bears. Smith departed the Bears with nine years of service, three playoff appearances, one Coach of the Year award, and one Super Bowl appearance.[33]

Smith's nine years with the Bears is the third-longest head coaching tenure in the team's history, after Mike Ditka (11 years) and team founder George "Papa Bear" Halas (40 years).

Tampa Bay head coach (2014–2015)

On December 16, 2013, Smith was interviewed by the Houston Texans for the head coach job.[34] Smith was also reported to be the first interview for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers[35][36] and the Detroit Lions.[37]

On January 1, 2014, Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reported that Smith would be the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, replacing Greg Schiano.[38] This was confirmed the next day by the team.[39] Smith had signed a five-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Smith was formally introduced as the 10th head coach in franchise history on Monday, January 7, 2014. Talking about his first stint with the Bucs, Smith said: "We did lay a foundation for Tampa Bay Buccaneer football, there's a certain brand of football that you expected from us. That would be relentless, you play hard, physical, but there was a brand of football that you did get from us each week at Raymond James Stadium. It was hard for opponents to come in and win."[40][41]

On January 6, 2016, Smith was fired by the Buccaneers after posting a record of 8-24 in his two years, including a 6-10 record in the 2015 season.[42][43]

University of Illinois head coach (2016–present)

On March 7, 2016, Smith was named head coach for the University of Illinois, agreeing to a contract paying $21 million over six years.[44][45]

Personal life

Lovie and his wife, MaryAnne Smith, have three children: Mikal, Matthew, and Miles.[46]

Smith, whose mother is blind because of diabetes, is an active supporter of the American Diabetes Association. In addition to participating in various events for the ADA, he also donates ten tickets to every Bears’ game to children suffering from diabetes. He and his wife are also the founders of the Lovie and MaryAnne Smith Foundation, a program which provides educational and life skill opportunities to worthy young people who otherwise face barriers in reaching their educational goals.[46][47] He was the Grand Marshal for the USG Sheetrock 400 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway on July 15, 2007.[48]

Smith is a devout Christian and has contributed every month to Brown's Chapel, his former Methodist church in Texas, even though he no longer resides in Texas.[49] In 2012, Smith was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, along with Bubba Smith, Dave Parks, Andre Ware, Mack Brown and Fred Couples.[50]

Coaching record

Team Year Regular Season Post Season
Won LostTiesWin %FinishWonLostWin %Result
CHI2004 5110.3134th in NFC North – – – –
CHI2005 1150.6881st in NFC North01.000Lost to Carolina Panthers in NFC Divisional Game.
CHI2006 1330.8131st in NFC North21.667Lost to Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLI.
CHI2007 790.4384th in NFC North – – – –
CHI2008 970.5632nd in NFC North – – – –
CHI2009 790.4383rd in NFC North – – – –
CHI2010 1150.6881st in NFC North 1 1 .500 Lost to Green Bay Packers in NFC Championship Game.
CHI2011 880.500 3rd in NFC North – – – –
CHI2012 1060.625 3rd in NFC North – – – –
CHI Total81630.56333.500
TB2014 2140.125 4th in NFC South – – – –
TB2015 6100.3754th in NFC South – – – –
TB Total8240.25000.000
Total[51]89870.50633.500

Coaching tree

NFL head coaches under whom Smith has served:

Assistant coaches under Lovie Smith who became NFL head coaches:

References

  1. ↑ Wayne Drehs (2007-01-28). "ESPN.com: Big Sandy Loves Lovie". Sports.espn.go.com. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
  2. ↑ "Soft-spoken guy named Lovie is perfect fit for Bears". MSNBC. 2006-11-04. Archived from the original on November 7, 2007. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
  3. ↑ Jon Mark BeilueOpinion (2005-12-14). "'75 Big Sandy: Legendary team was a handful". Amarillo.com. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
  4. ↑ "Biggest Super Bowl Upsets: Will The Hawks Join This List?". Docsports.com. 2011-01-24. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
  5. ↑ Pompei, Dan (31 December 2012). "Lovie Smith out after 9 seasons as Bears coach". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  6. ↑ Chicago Suntimes, Rex barks, Vikings bite Retrieved on December 21, 2006 Archived September 21, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
  7. ↑ Dodd, Mike (2005-12-19). "Grossman's return energizes Bears in win over Falcons". USA Today. Retrieved 2016-03-07.
  8. ↑ Yahoo! Sports, NFL Statistics By Team - 2005. Retrieved on July 2, 2008.
  9. ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, NFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF: PANTHERS 29 BEARS 21 Retrieved on December 21, 2006 Archived June 25, 2006, at the Wayback Machine.
  10. ↑ "Ask David Haugh". Chicagosports.chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
  11. ↑ Smith feels Bears are primed for playoffs Retrieved on January 12, 2007
  12. ↑ Rosenthal, Gregg (2011-12-05). "Lovie Smith: We’re not signing anyone". Profootballtalk.com (NBC Sports). Retrieved 2013-11-18.
  13. ↑ "2006 Chicago Bears statistics". Pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
  14. ↑ EDDIE PELLS<, AP National Writer Monday, Jan 22, 2007 (2012-02-02). "Super comeback: Colts rally to stun Patriots". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
  15. ↑ Lovie Smith feels blessed after win, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 01/22/2007 Archived November 6, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
  16. ↑ Indianapolis 29, Chicago 17 (English)
  17. ↑ "Smith, Angelo sign long-term contract extensions". Chicago Bears. 2007-02-28. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
  18. ↑ "Smith, Angelo sign long-term contract extensions". Chicagobears.com. 2007-02-28. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
  19. ↑ ChicagoBears.com,Griese replaces Grossman as starting quarterback, Retrieved on September 26, 2007.
  20. ↑ Mayer, Larry (2008-06-13). "How does ex-Bears RB Neal Anderson stack up?". chicagobears.com. Retrieved 2008-06-19.
  21. ↑ "Marinelli out as Bears defensive coordinator". sportsillustrated.com (Sports Illustrated). 2013-01-17. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  22. ↑ Mullin, John (2009-12-18). "Mullin: Lovie will Return as Bears Coach in 2010". Comcast SportsNet. Archived from the original on December 28, 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-21.
  23. ↑ Leahy, Sean (2009-12-21). "Bears GM Jerry Angelo fails to give Lovie Smith a vote of confidence in 2010". USA Today. Retrieved 2009-12-21.
  24. ↑ "Lovie at 100: Top 10 Lovieisms". Chicago Tribune. 2010-01-03. Archived from the original on January 6, 2010. Retrieved 2010-01-11.
  25. ↑ Mayer, Larry (2010-01-06). "Bears to hire two coordinators for first time since 2004". chicagobears.com. Retrieved 2010-01-11.
  26. ↑ "Packers beat Bears 21–14 to advance to Super Bowl". Content.usatoday.com. 2011-01-23. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
  27. ↑ "Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler breaks thumb in win over San Diego Chargers – NFL News | FOX Sports on MSN". Msn.foxsports.com. 2011-11-21. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
  28. ↑ "Loss to Pack ends Bears' playoff hopes". Chicagobears.com. 2011-12-25. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
  29. ↑ Jensen, Sean (2012-01-03). "Jerry Angelo fired as Bears general manager, Martz resigns – Inside the Bears". Blogs.suntimes.com. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
  30. ↑ "New GM Phil Emery shows coach Lovie Smith some love – Chicago Sun-Times". Suntimes.com. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
  31. ↑ "Mike Tice will be Chicago Bears offensive coordinator – ESPN Chicago". Espn.go.com. 2012-01-07. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
  32. ↑ Billick, Brian (2012-12-05). "Chicago Bears' stifling defense continues to make the difference". National Football League. Retrieved 2012-12-05.
  33. ↑ Rosenthal, Gregg. "Lovie Smith fired by Chicago Bears". Retrieved 31 December 2012.
  34. ↑ "Texans interview Lovie Smith". ESPN. 2013-12-16. Retrieved 2013-12-22.
  35. ↑ Vederame, Matt. "Buccaneers will interview Lovie Smith, per report". SB Nation. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  36. ↑ Rosenthal, Gregg. "NFL head coach tracker". NFL Network. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  37. ↑ Birkett, Dave (31 December 2013). "Detroit Lions expected to interview Lovie Smith, Jim Caldwell for head coaching job". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  38. ↑ "The Bucs are hiring Lovie Smith to be their new head coach, two sides are finalizing the contract tonight". Twitter. January 1, 2014. Retrieved 2014-01-01.
  39. ↑ Smith, Scott (January 2, 2014). "Lovie Smith Returns to Coach Buccaneers". Buccaneers.com. Retrieved 2014-01-02.
  40. ↑ "Lovie Smith introduced as Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach". ESPN.com.
  41. ↑ "Returning 'home,' Lovie Smith vows to return Bucs to relevance".
  42. ↑ "Buccaneers Dismiss Lovie Smith". Tampa Bay Buccaneers. January 6, 2016. Retrieved January 6, 2016.
  43. ↑ ESPN News Services (January 6, 2016). "Buccaneers fire coach Lovie Smith". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 6, 2016.
  44. ↑ "Lovie Smith Named Illinois Football Coach". Illinois DIA. March 7, 2016. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
  45. ↑ Ryan, Shannon. "Illinois hires Lovie Smith as next football coach". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2016-03-07.
  46. 1 2 "Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Lovie Smith".
  47. ↑ "The Charitable Side of Da Bears". www.windycitygridiron.com. Vox Media, Inc. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  48. ↑ Mayer, Larry, Smith to serve as Grand Marshal of NASCAR race (June 27, 2007), Retrieved on June 28, 2007.
  49. ↑ "Lovie Smith still a hometown guy". pantagraph.com. 29 January 2007.
  50. ↑ "Smith inducted into Texas Sports HOF". Chicagobears.com. Retrieved 2012-03-01.
  51. ↑ "Lovie Smith Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks". Pro-Football-Reference.com. 1958-05-08. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
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