Story at a glance
- The Houston Texans hired Lovie Smith as the team’s head coach on Tuesday.
- Smith joins the Miami Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel, Washington Commanders’ Ron Rivera, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Mike Tomlin and the New York Jets’ Robert Saleh as the only minority head coaches in the league.
- Texans general manager Nick Caserio said in a statement that Smith “is one of the most respected coaches in the NFL and an established leader” and a “proven winner.”
The Houston Texans hired Lovie Smith as the team’s head coach on Monday, making him the league’s second minority coach hired this offseason.
Smith, who served as the Texans associate head coach and defensive coordinator last season, became the second minority head coach hired this offseason after the Miami Dolphins selected Mike McDaniel to lead their team.
Smith joins McDaniel, Washington Commanders’ Ron Rivera, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Mike Tomlin and the New York Jets’ Robert Saleh as the only minority head coaches in the league.
Texans general manager Nick Caserio said in a statement that Smith “is one of the most respected coaches in the NFL and an established leader” and added that he is a “proven winner.”
“We had numerous discussions with countless coaches, executives, and players, and what revealed itself is that Lovie has both the leadership and people skills it takes to lead us forward,” Caserio said.
Smith has spent 20 years coaching in the NFL, including 11 years as a head coach. He joined the Texans in 2021 after spending five seasons as the head coach at the University of Illinois.
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Smith’s hiring came during a controversial period for the NFL after former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores accused several teams and the league of racist hiring practices and racial discrimination. Flores was reportedly a finalist for the Texans job, and his attorneys, after praising Smith’s qualifications and hire, alleged Flores was passed on by the team because he made accusations against the league.
“Mr. Flores is happy to hear that the Texans have hired a Black head coach, Lovie Smith, as Mr. Flores’ goal in bringing his case is to provide real opportunities for Black and minority candidates to be considered for coaching and executive positions within the NFL,” Douglas H. Wigdor and John Elefterakis said in a statement.
“However, we would be remiss not to mention that Mr. Flores was one of three finalists for the Texans’ head coach position and, after a great interview and mutual interest, it is obvious that the only reason Mr. Flores was not selected was his decision to stand up against racial inequality across the NFL.”
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell weighed in on the lack of diversity among NFL head coaches, issuing a memo over the weekend calling the lack of diverse head coaches “unacceptable,” amid the Flores controversy.
“We have made significant efforts to promote diversity and adopted numerous policies and programs which have produced positive change in many areas, however we must acknowledge that particularly with respect to head coaches the results have been unacceptable,” Goodell said.
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