Lovie Smith was named head coach of the Houston Texans on Monday.
A Texan himself, Smith was the Texans’ defensive coordinator last season.
He succeeds David Culley, thanked after a single season at the helm of the team.
“I first want to thank (CEO) Nick Caserio and the McNair family for this opportunity,” Smith said in a statement. I accept with humility to lead the Texans.
“I have so many people to thank for their support of me continuing to do what I love, which is teaching players and pushing them forward. I am aware of my responsibilities towards the organization and the city: to develop a program that will lead to the championship. I’m ready to get to work and build this together. »
The 63-year-old Smith led the Fighting Illini from 2016 to 2020 in the NCAA.
In the NFL, he was the head coach of Chicago for nine seasons and of Tampa Bay for two seasons, 2014 and 2015.
The Texans went 4-13 last year.
Smith went 144-81 with the Bears, leading them to the 2007 Super Bowl, where the team lost to the Colts.
He had less success with Tampa Bay, going 2-14 and 6-10.
At the University of Illinois, Smith went 17-39 before being fired shortly before the end of a fifth campaign.
Smith got his first NFL job in 1996, coaching linebackers for the Buccaneers.
