Lovie Smith

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Smith was raised in Big Sandy, Texas, and named after his great-aunt, Lavana. He played college football at the University of Tulsa under head coach John Cooper, becoming a two-time All-American at linebacker and defensive back. After graduating, he coached at his high school alma mater before moving to the college ranks. He began his NFL coaching career as a linebacker coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers under Tony Dungy, helping develop the Tampa 2 defense. As defensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams in 2001, he improved the defense from a league-worst 29.4 points per game to 17.1, and the Rams advanced to Super Bowl XXXVI. The Chicago Bears hired Smith as head coach in 2004. He stated three goals: beat the Green Bay Packers, win the NFC North, and win a Super Bowl. In 2005, the Bears finished 11–5 and Smith earned the Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year Award. In 2006, the Bears finished 13–3, won the NFC Championship, and Smith became the first Black head coach to lead his team to a Super Bowl. The Bears lost Super Bowl XLI 29–17. Smith later coached the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Houston Texans.

In Their Own Story

In 2006, after a 13–3 regular season, Smith led the Bears to a 27–24 overtime victory against the defending NFC champion Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional Playoffs—his first playoff win. The Bears then beat the New Orleans Saints 39–14 in the NFC Championship Game. Hours later, Tony Dungy, Smith's good friend and mentor, became the second Black head coach to reach a Super Bowl. The two became the first African American head coaches to oppose each other in a Super Bowl. The Bears lost Super Bowl XLI 29–17. Smith had been the lowest-paid coach in the NFL in 2006 at $1.35 million, but signed a new four-year contract worth $22 million on March 1, 2007. He later parted ways with defensive coordinator Ron Rivera. In 2010, the Bears finished 11–5 and first in the NFC North, but lost to the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game.

Reader's Guide

Smith began his NFL coaching career as a linebacker coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers under Tony Dungy, helping develop the Tampa 2 defense. After five years, he became defensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams under Mike Martz. In 2001, the Rams' defense improved from allowing a league-worst 29.4 points per game to 17.1, and the team advanced to Super Bowl XXXVI. Smith was hired as head coach of the Chicago Bears in 2004. His first season finished 5–11, but the defense improved from 22nd to 13th. In 2005, with backup quarterback Kyle Orton, the Bears went 11–5, finishing second in yardage and first in fewest points allowed. Smith won AP NFL Coach of the Year. In 2006, the Bears went 13–3, with the NFL's second-ranked scoring offense and fifth-ranked defense. Smith led them to Super Bowl XLI. After the 2009 season, Smith fired offensive coordinator Ron Turner and hired Mike Martz, his former Rams head coach. In 2010, the Bears went 11–5 and won the NFC North, but lost the NFC Championship to the Packers.

Did You Know?

• Smith was named after his great-aunt, Lavana.
• He was a two-time All-American at linebacker and defensive back at the University of Tulsa.
• As defensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams in 2001, he cut the defense's points allowed from 29.4 to 17.1 per game.
• Smith became the first Black head coach to lead his team to a Super Bowl.
• He was the lowest-paid coach in the NFL in 2006 at $1.35 million.