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01-30-2007, 06:27 PM
Lovie Lee Smith (born May 8, 1958 in Gladewater, Texas) is the head coach of the Chicago Bears professional football team of the NFL. Smith narrowly became the first African American coach, hours before Tony Dungy of the Indianapolis Colts, to lead a team to the Super Bowl.
Smith was raised in Big Sandy, Texas. He was named after his great aunt, Lavana. [1]. During Lovie's high school career in Big Sandy, he earned all-state honors for three years; he was a defensive end and linebacker. His team won three state championships as well. Smith was a linebacker and safety at University of Tulsa and was a two-time All-American.
Smith began coaching at his hometown high school in 1980. He coached the Cascia Hall Preparatory School football team in 1981. By 1983, he began coaching linebackers on thecollege level, first at his alma mater Tulsa (1983–86), and then at University of Wisconsin (1987), Arizona State University (1988–91), and the University of Kentucky (1992). He also served as defensive backs coach at the University of Tennessee (1993–94), and Ohio State University (1995).
Smith began his professional coaching career as a linebacker coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Under the guidance of Tony Dungy, Smith helped develop the Tampa 2. After spending four years with Buccaneers, Smith was hired as the defensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams under head coach, Mike Martz.
The Chicago Bears hired Smith in 2004, following the fall-out of Dick Jauron. He struggled during his first season with the Bears, as a streak of injuries gave the Bears a 5-11 record. Despite their poor offense, the Bears’ defense saw some major improvement, rising from 22nd in 2003 to 13th in 2004. History repeated itself again when Bears’ quarterback Rex Grossman injured his ankle during a preseason and missed a majority of the 2005 season.
The Bears’ dramatic turn around earned Smith national recognition, which culminated with an Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year Award . After returning to the field following their first round bye, the Bears’ played the Carolina Panthers, with a fully healed Rex Grossman as quarterback. Both the Bears’ offense and defense struggled to keep up with the Panthers, and eventually lost, 29-21. Nevertheless, Smith and the Bears were optimistic about the future.
Smith and the Bears’ management drew skepticism in April 2006, by trading away their first round pick, and drafting five defensive players.[4] His preseason criticism increased when he named Grossman, who struggled to move the Bears’ offense during the preseason, as the Bears starting quarterback. Nevertheless, Grossman led the Bears’ to seven consecutive victories, but later struggled during the latter portion of the season. Smith stood by Grossman, despite having to endure criticism from many skeptics. The Bears finished the 2006 Chicago Bears season with a 13-3 record, earning the NFC’s top playoff seed. The Bears finished the season with the NFL's second scoring offense, and third overall defense.
Smith coached the Bears to a 27-24 victory against the Seattle Seahawks during the 2006 Divisional Playoffs, and later a 39-14 victory against the New Orleans Saints at the NFC Championship. Smith will coach against his good friend, and former mentor, Tony Dungy, at Super Bowl XLI. Smith narrowly became the first African American head coach to lead his team to Super Bowl, just hours before Dungy became the second. The friends will together become the first two African Americans to head coach a team in the Super Bowl.
Lovie is an active supporter of the American Diabetes Association. In addition to participating in various events for the ADA, Smith also donates ten tickets to every Bears’ game to children suffering from diabetes. He and his wife are also the founders of the Lovie and MaryAnne Smith Foundation, a program which donates college tuition funds towards impoverished children.[2]
Lovie and MaryAnne Smith have three children. Their names are Mikal, Matthew, and Miles. They also have twin grandsons named Malachi and Noah
Smith was raised in Big Sandy, Texas. He was named after his great aunt, Lavana. [1]. During Lovie's high school career in Big Sandy, he earned all-state honors for three years; he was a defensive end and linebacker. His team won three state championships as well. Smith was a linebacker and safety at University of Tulsa and was a two-time All-American.
Smith began coaching at his hometown high school in 1980. He coached the Cascia Hall Preparatory School football team in 1981. By 1983, he began coaching linebackers on thecollege level, first at his alma mater Tulsa (1983–86), and then at University of Wisconsin (1987), Arizona State University (1988–91), and the University of Kentucky (1992). He also served as defensive backs coach at the University of Tennessee (1993–94), and Ohio State University (1995).
Smith began his professional coaching career as a linebacker coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Under the guidance of Tony Dungy, Smith helped develop the Tampa 2. After spending four years with Buccaneers, Smith was hired as the defensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams under head coach, Mike Martz.
The Chicago Bears hired Smith in 2004, following the fall-out of Dick Jauron. He struggled during his first season with the Bears, as a streak of injuries gave the Bears a 5-11 record. Despite their poor offense, the Bears’ defense saw some major improvement, rising from 22nd in 2003 to 13th in 2004. History repeated itself again when Bears’ quarterback Rex Grossman injured his ankle during a preseason and missed a majority of the 2005 season.
The Bears’ dramatic turn around earned Smith national recognition, which culminated with an Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year Award . After returning to the field following their first round bye, the Bears’ played the Carolina Panthers, with a fully healed Rex Grossman as quarterback. Both the Bears’ offense and defense struggled to keep up with the Panthers, and eventually lost, 29-21. Nevertheless, Smith and the Bears were optimistic about the future.
Smith and the Bears’ management drew skepticism in April 2006, by trading away their first round pick, and drafting five defensive players.[4] His preseason criticism increased when he named Grossman, who struggled to move the Bears’ offense during the preseason, as the Bears starting quarterback. Nevertheless, Grossman led the Bears’ to seven consecutive victories, but later struggled during the latter portion of the season. Smith stood by Grossman, despite having to endure criticism from many skeptics. The Bears finished the 2006 Chicago Bears season with a 13-3 record, earning the NFC’s top playoff seed. The Bears finished the season with the NFL's second scoring offense, and third overall defense.
Smith coached the Bears to a 27-24 victory against the Seattle Seahawks during the 2006 Divisional Playoffs, and later a 39-14 victory against the New Orleans Saints at the NFC Championship. Smith will coach against his good friend, and former mentor, Tony Dungy, at Super Bowl XLI. Smith narrowly became the first African American head coach to lead his team to Super Bowl, just hours before Dungy became the second. The friends will together become the first two African Americans to head coach a team in the Super Bowl.
Lovie is an active supporter of the American Diabetes Association. In addition to participating in various events for the ADA, Smith also donates ten tickets to every Bears’ game to children suffering from diabetes. He and his wife are also the founders of the Lovie and MaryAnne Smith Foundation, a program which donates college tuition funds towards impoverished children.[2]
Lovie and MaryAnne Smith have three children. Their names are Mikal, Matthew, and Miles. They also have twin grandsons named Malachi and Noah