Whether it is ESPN’s tandem of Adam Schefter and Field Yates or NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, all signs point to the Houston Texans zeroing in on Lovie Smith as their next head coach.
Conveniently enough, Smith should have ample familiarity with the Texans having been a coach on David Culley’s staff in 2021:
Houston’s new head man: pic.twitter.com/uk9SdrRRMh
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 7, 2022
Smith came up on the radar late last night as a candidate, but things seem to have escalated quickly, and the expectation no is that he will be the one to take over. It’ll be Smith’s third NFL head coaching gig, with a bulk of his success coming with the Bears from 2004-12. The 81-63 record, five winning seasons, three playoff trips, and an appearance in Super Bowl XLI while in Chicago stand out for all the right reasons.
And once it becomes officially official, Smith’s staff could have a very Bears-y feel to it:
As for Josh McCown, who seemed to be the #Texans’ guy for much of their search, sources say there’s a possibility he could join Lovie Smith’s coaching staff, though those talks have yet to really happen. Pep Hamilton is expected to stick as offensive coordinator.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 7, 2022
NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo highlights Pep Hamilton and Josh McCown as possible assistants joining Smith. Hamilton, an assistant on Smith’s Bears staff from 2007-09, is already with the Texans as a quarterbacks coach and passing coordinator. A promotion to offensive coordinator makes sense for Hamilton, who interviewed with the Bears for that position not too long ago. As for McCown, he was reportedly a finalist for the Texans head coaching gig. Maybe the lack of coaching experience kept him from getting the job at the end, but a lengthy NFL career and some high school coaching experience on his résumé could be helpful. Perhaps taking over Hamilton’s former role and working his way up from the bottom is a more sensible road than just handing over the keys to someone with no NFL coaching experience.
In a way, it is weird to see Houston land on promoting someone who was already on staff one month after the process to find a new coach began. And especially when that person already has Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator titles. Nevertheless, we have made it to this point where Smith is back in the big chair as a head coach in the NFL. Good for him. I realize his struggles at Illinois probably left some football fans with a sour taste in their mouths, but Smith is probably better off coaching in the pros.
If you’re a Bears fan ready to throw a Lovie Smith reunion party, you won’t need to wait long. In fact, get your party hats ready. The Texans are on the Bears’ list of opponents for this upcoming season. And it’ll be a return trip to Soldier Field, which feels just right.