Houston Texans Finally Complete Head Coach Search; Defensive Coordinator Promoted to HC

On Monday, Houston Texans announced Lovie Smith as their next Head Coach, superseding David Culley. After serving as a defensive coordinator and associate head coach, Smith has been promoted to this role.

Smith has reportedly agreed in principle to coach the Texans for the upcoming season. Texans GM Nick Caserio said, “He is one of the most respected coaches in the NFL and an established leader. A proven winner, Lovie has shown the ability to develop players both on and off the field for years.”

Coach David Culley was fired after the Houston Texans finished 4-13 in the 2021 season. However, the reason for his firing wasn’t just the teams’ poor performance. According to Ian Rapoport, Culley was fired because of personal disagreements with the Texans organization.

Read More: ‘He’s Our Quarterback’: Titans GM Snubs All Rumors to Cement Ryan Tannehill’s Position at QB

As a result, Lovie Smith will take over as head coach after Culley’s dismissal. Smith said, “I want to first thank Nick Caserio and the McNair family for giving me this opportunity……… I understand the responsibility I have to this organization and this city to develop a championship-level program. I’m ready to get to work and build it together.”

Who is the new HC for Houston Texans?

In the NFL, Smith began his coaching career with the Chicago Bears. In 2004, the Bears hired him as their head coach until 2012. However, his tenure on the team was marked by three playoff appearances and one Super Bowl appearance. Additionally, he won the AP Coach award in 2006. After the Chicago Bears fired Smith in 2012, he joined the Buccaneers in 2014.

Unfortunately, after the poor record of 8-24 over the 2014 and 2015 NFL seasons, Smith was fired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2016. Furthermore, Lovie Smith also has experience coaching college football, having served as Head Coach of the University of Illinois from 2016 to 2021. Eventually, in 2021, he was hired as the Texans’ defensive coordinator and associate head coach under coach David Culley.

Throughout his career, Smith worked extensively with the defense department of the team and is widely respected in league circles. Therefore, the Texans are hoping he can help them get back in the playoff mix. What are your thoughts on this move by the Texans? Comment and let us know.

Watch This Story: Justin Herbert, Maxx Crosby named MVPs as AFC Outlasts NFC in 2022 Pro Bowl