Dec. 23, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA: Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
NFL.com is reporting the Houston Texans have spoke with former Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith.
The article says Ian Rapport reported the news on Sunday’s NFL GameDay First. The article states:
"“Houston’s decision-makers have spoken with former Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith, a source with knowledge of the team’s thinking told Rapoport. We knew that was coming after Texans owner Bob McNair told reporters that Smith was in the mix.”"
The article also stated Jed Hughes, a noted consultant, will lead the coaching search with the Texans.
This is a very interesting and reasonable potential hire in Smith. Just showing interest in Smith shows the Texans are serious about getting their defense back into shape, because in all honestly they’ve been a shell of themselves for most of the season.
Also, does hiring a “defensive minded” head coach man the Texans will slide towards a defensive player with their first round draft choice? This organization has done it before when they drafted Mario Williams over Reggie Bush with the first round draft choice in 2006.
Smith, the Bears’ head coach from 2004-12, has a career coaching record of 81-63 where he won three division championships, one NFC title and is 18-games over the .500 mark as a head coach.
Smith is just the first of a few head coaching candidates the Texans will speak with, as there are rumors former Tampa Bay head coach Jon Gruden is on the list of potential head coaching candidates.
I have no problem with Smith, as I believe he should be a head coach in the NFL, as I think the Bears made a mistake when they fired him following last season.
Like I wrote earlier this week, the Texans’ quest for a new head coach will be an interesting trip for sure.