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Who is Lovie Smith?
Lovie Lee Smith is a well-recognized American Football coach, best known as the former head coach of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Currently, he is serving as the head coach of the Houston Texans. Besides, he also contributes as the Texans’s defensive coordinator.
In addition, Smith formerly coached the Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Illinois Fighting Illini in the National Football League (NFL).
Profile of Lovie Smith
| Full Name | Lovie Lee Smith |
| Popular As | Lovie Smith |
| Birthdate | 8th May 1958 |
| Place of Birth | Gladewater, Texas, USA |
| Gender | Male |
| Profession | American Football coach |
| Nationality | American |
| Race / Ethnicity | African –American |
| Religion | Christian |
| Education | gGaduate |
| University | University of Tulsa |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
| Age | 64 Years Old |
| Sun-sign | Taurus |
| Eye color | Black |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Height | 5’11” (181 cm) |
| Marital status | Married |
| Parents | Thurman Smith (Father) & Mae Smith (Mother) |
| Siblings | Undisclosed |
| Spouse | MaryAnne Smith |
| Children | Mikal Smith, Miles Smith & Matthew Smith |
| Net Worth | $15 Million USD |
Early-life, Education & Family Background
Lovie Lee Smith was born in Gladewater, Texas, on 8th May, 1958. Thurman Smith and Mae Smith, both of African-American origin, are his parents. Accordingly, he is a devout Christian who grew up in the Big Sandy area of Texas. Apparently, he was named after his aunt, Lavana. Secondly, considering his mother was blinded by diabetes, he is a firm supporter of the American Diabetes Association.
As regards to his academic qualifications, Smith attended to Big Sandy High School and was awarded to the all-state team three times during his tenure there. Specifically, he served as a linebacker and defensive end for his squad, and he helped them win three state tournaments in a row. Thereafter, he enrolled to the University of Tulsa after graduation, where he was a two-time all-American defensive back and linebacker.
Following graduation, Lovie decided to pursue a coaching career full-time and returned to his alma mater, Big Sandy, to operate as a defensive coordinator for a year before transferring to Cascia Hall Preparatory School to coach wide receivers and defensive backs.
Smith’s Professional Career as a Coach
Subsequently, Lovie began his college coaching career in 1983, first as an assistant coach at the University of Tulsa for three years before moving on to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Eventually, he transferred to Arizona State University for three years after a year there prior working at the University of Kentucky. Likewise, in 1995, Smith was recruited by the University of Tennessee, and then by Ohio State University.
The following year, began his NFL coaching career, serving as a linebacker coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he remained five years and became the St. Louis Rams’ defensive coordinator. Further, he aided the Rams defense in winning the NFC Championship and progressing to Super Bowl XXXVI in 2001.
Similarly, Lovie was recruited as the head coach of the Chicago Bears after a solid season with the Rams. Smith was later signed to a four-year contract by the Bears. However, he was terminated in 2012 after the team missed the playoffs repeatedly. Nonetheless, Smith was then hired as the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he was fired after two seasons.
Then, from the 2014 to 2015 NFL season, he was the Buccaneers’ head coach. And, Lovie was again offered a six-year by the University of Illinois in early 2016.
Smith entered the coaching ranks after his playing career at the University of Tulsa. Subsequently, he spent two seasons as an assistant coach at an Oklahoma prep school before being recruited as the Texans’ head coach in 2016.
Additionally, Smith also served as the head coach of the Miami Hurricanes in 2004 after his NFL career. In 2013, he was also chosen head coach of the Houston Texans. Currently, he has been appointed as the head coach of the Houston Texans.
Honors & Achievements
Smith has won three Super Bowls and the NFL’s Most Valuable Coach award during his eventful coaching tenure. Moreover, in 2005, Smith was awarded the Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year.
In addition, in 2007, he served as the Grand Marshal of the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. Furthermore, in 2012, he was honored into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.
Lovie’s Personal-life & Relationships
Regarding his personal life, Lovie is married to his long-time sweetheart MaryAnne Smith since 1980. Additionally, Mikal Smith, Miles Smith, and Matthew Smith are the couple’s three children.
Apart from this, he established the “Lovie and MaryAnne Smith Foundation” and is an enthusiastic supporter of the American Diabetes Association. Accordingly, his organization is aimed at assisting low-income children in achieving their educational aspirations.
Physique
Lovie Smith has a big and muscular body, black hair, and dark eyes. Likewise, he also stands at a towering height of 5 feet 11 inches (181 cm).
Social Media Handles of Lovie Smith
Smith can be accessed on few social media platforms, most notably Twitter. In addition, he has over 53.8k followers on his Twitter handle. Apparently, he appears to be active on Instagram as well, however his account has yet to be verified.
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Net Worth of Lovie Smith
Inside sources suggest that he has a net worth of $15 million as of early 2022, which he has accumulated primarily through a successful coaching career. Reportedly, Smith is said to be paid nearly $5 million per year and has made it to the Super Bowl twice in his career.