Pro Career: Named the 13th head coach in Chicago Bears history on Jan. 15, 2004. Smith was named the Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year for 2005.
His 11 victories in 2005 are the most by a second-year coach in club annals, and he became the franchise's first second-year coach to win a division title, earning the NFC's second seed. Fueled by an eight-game win streak, Smith led a worst-to-first revival in the NFC North division as the Bears six-win improvement from the previous season was tied for the biggest in the NFL in 2005.
Chicago posted a 5-11 record in 2004 in Smith's first season as head coach as he presided over the NFL's youngest team. During Smith's first two seasons at the helm, Chicago ranked second in the NFL having allowed 16.7 points per game while leading the league during that time by allowing the lowest opponent passer rating, opponent third-down and fourth-down conversion percentage, and opponent red zone touchdown percentage in the league.
From 2004-05, the Bears had a league-high 10 touchdowns via defensive return—including a franchise-record 6 in 2004. Allowing the fewest points in the NFL in 2005, Chicago ranked second in overall defense.
Smith came to Chicago from St. Louis (2001-03), where he served as defensive coordinator. In 2001 he helped the Rams return to the Super Bowl after missing the playoffs the previous season. Smith previously coached the linebackers for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1996-2000).
Background: Played at Tulsa (1976-79), where he was a linebacker before moving to strong safety and earning two-time All-America and three-time All-Missouri Conference defensive back honors. Began his coaching career at his hometown high school (Big Sandy, Texas) in 1980 before moving to Cascia Hall Prep in Tulsa the following year. Two years later Smith began coaching collegiately at Tulsa (1983-86), Wisconsin (1987), Arizona State (1988-1991), Kentucky (1992), Tennessee (1993-94), and Ohio State (1995).
Personal: Born May 8, 1958, Gladewater, Texas. Lovie and his wife MaryAnne have three sons—Mikal, Matthew and Miles and twin grandsons—Malachi and Noah.
Subscribe
