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New Houston Texans head coach David Culley wasted no time filling out his coaching staff and named former Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith as the team's defensive coordinator.
The #Texans have agreed to terms on a deal with Lovie Smith to make him David Culley’s defensive defensive coordinator, source says. Smith is back in the NFL and will be calling the plays for Houston.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 29, 2021
The return of Smith to the NFL is an interesting one, but he's always been well-respected amongst the coaching world. He has been coaching in the NCAA since 2016 at the University of Illinois before being fired in December, so he didn't have to wait long to find work again.
Smith spent nine seasons as the head man for the Bears, including their Super Bowl appearance in 2006, before going to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a couple of seasons.
While the situation in Houston is swirling around the Deshaun Watson trade rumors, Smith gets to work with JJ Watt, one of the best defensive players in the entire league. He will also have the benefit of calling the plays for the Texans.
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The Texans staff is shaping up quite nicely for Culley, who is bringing on experienced assistants such as Tim Kelly and Pep Hamilton as well.
The #Texans should have some key coaches finalized today, including: Tim Kelly as OC, Lovie Smith as DC and Pep Hamilton as QBs coach. https://t.co/afEHG97Kz9
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 29, 2021
The Texans have a lot of work to do in 2021–regardless if Watson is there or not–as they finished just 4-12 and watched Bill O'Brien leave after a 0-4 start to the season and a confusing trade of star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
David Culley, Lovie Smith and the whole Texans staff have a lot of work to do. For what it's worth though, the coaches in Houston are looking like a nice bunch that could bring some excitement and a bit of ease to fans who had to deal with frustration for the last half dozen years.
