The Houston TexansSources tell ESPN’s Adam Schefter & Field Yates that the team is currently in talks with Lovie Smith, their associate head coach and defensive coach, to discuss potential future head coaches.
Smith has been included in the Texans’ discussions since the beginning, but Smith’s candidacy gained momentum in recent days, according to a source.
Josh McCownSmith will not be the Texans’ next coach. If Smith is hired, Pep Hamilton (current quarterbacks coach and passing games coordinator) will be their offensive coordinator, according to a source.
Smith was a former head coach for the NFL with the Chicago Bears(2004-12) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2014-15). After five seasons as the University of Illinois’ head coach, he was fired and he joined David Culley’s Texans staff last March.
Smith is the NFL Head Coach and has a record of 89-87. He was also the 2005 Associated Press Coaches of the Year.
Smith, who happens to be Black, would join them Miami DolphinsMike McDaniel New York Jets‘ Robert Saleh, Pittsburgh SteelersMike Tomlin Washington CommandersRon Rivera is the only minority head coach in the league.
McCown was considered despite not having ever coached above the high school level. After 17 years of service as an NFL quarterback, he retired in 2019 and accepted a position as a high-school quarterbacks coach in Charlotte. His sons were also there. After his retirement, he continued to coach. McCown was also interviewed by the Texans last year to fill the final position filled by Culley.
After just one year, the Texans fired Culley Jan. 13. Houston finished 4-13 under Culley’s one-season tenure.
Interviews were also conducted with Texans Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, Los Angeles ChargersJoe Lombardi is the offensive coordinator, ex-Dolphins head coach Brian Flores and former Steelers wide receiver, and current Florida Atlantic receivers coach Hinesward.