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Lovie Smith

Lovie Smith at the Chicago Bears 2007 Training Camp
Personal information
Date of birth	(1958-05-08) May 8, 1958 (age 54)
Place of birth	Gladewater, Texas
Career information
Position(s)	Head Coach
College	Tulsa
Career highlights
Awards	AP NFL COY (2005) PFW NFL COY (2005)
Head coaching record
Regular season	71–57–0
Postseason	3–3
Career record	74–60–0
Championships won	NFC North (2005, 2006, 2010) NFC Championship (2006)
Stats
Coaching stats	Pro Football Reference
Coaching stats	DatabaseFootball
Team(s) as a coach/administrator
1980 1981–1982 1983–1986 1987 1988–1991 1992 1993–1994 1995 1996–2000 2001–2003 2004–present	Big Sandy High School (defensive coordinator) Cascia Hall Prep (assistant coach DB/WR) Tulsa (linebackers coach) Wisconsin (linebackers coach) Arizona State (linebackers coach) Kentucky (linebackers coach) Tennessee (defensive backs coach) Ohio State (defensive backs coach) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (linebackers coach) St. Louis Rams (defensive coordinator) Chicago Bears (head coach)

Lovie Lee Smith (born (1958-05-08)May 8, 1958) is the head coach of the Chicago Bears professional football team of the NFL. Smith has been to the Super Bowl twice, as the defensive coordinator for the 2001 St. Louis Rams and as the head coach for the Chicago Bears in 2006.

Earlier life[link]

Lovie Smith was born in Gladewater and raised in Big Sandy, Texas.^[1] He was named after his great aunt, Lavana.^[2] During Smith's high school career in Big Sandy, he earned all-state honors for three years as a defensive end and linebacker. His team won three consecutive state championships in 1973-75, including a 0–0 tie in 1974 versus Celina High School of legendary coach G. A. Moore. In 1975, Big Sandy had one of the most dominant seasons in high school football history, as the defense allowed only 15 points (11 shutouts) all season, while the offense, featuring eventual Miami Dolphins running back David Overstreet, scored a then-national record 824 points.^[3]

Smith played college football at University of Tulsa under head coach John Cooper. He was a two-time All-American at linebacker and safety. After graduation he immediately pursued a coaching career. He was hired as defensive coordinator at his hometown high school in 1980. A year later he left to coach at Cascia Hall Preparatory School in Tulsa. By 1983, he began coaching linebackers on the college level, first at his alma mater Tulsa (1983–86), and then at University of Wisconsin–Madison (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).

Professional career[link]

1996-2003[link]

Smith began his professional coaching career as a linebacker coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Under the guidance of Tony Dungy, he helped develop the Tampa 2 defense. After spending five years with Buccaneers, Smith was hired as the defensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams under head coach Mike Martz. While in St. Louis, Smith improved the Rams defense, which went from giving up a league-worst 29.4 points per game in 2000 to an average of 17.1 points in 2001. The Rams won the 2001 NFC Championship and advanced to Super Bowl XXXVI. The team ultimately lost to the New England Patriots in one of the biggest Super Bowl upsets of all time.^[4]

2004-2006[link]

The Chicago Bears hired Smith as head coach in 2004, following the dismissal of Dick Jauron. He struggled during his first season with the Bears, as the installation of new offensive and defensive systems and a series of injuries, including a season-ending knee injury to starting quarterback Rex Grossman, contributed to a 5–11 record. Despite their poor offense, the Bears’ defense saw some major improvement, rising from 22nd in 2003 to 13th in 2004.

In 2005, history repeated itself when quarterback Rex Grossman suffered a serious injury during the preseason and missed a majority of the season.^[5][6] Despite Grossman's loss, Smith and Ron Rivera used a dominant defense and the timely play of backup quarterback Kyle Orton to earn a 11–5 record, after starting the season with a 1–3 record. The Bears defense finished second in the league in terms of yardage, while allowing the fewest points in the league.

The Bears’ dramatic turn around in the 2005 season earned Smith national recognition. He won the Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year Award that year. 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.^[5]

Smith and the Bears’ management drew criticism in April 2006, by trading away their first round pick and drafting five defensive players.^[7] The preseason criticism increased when he named Grossman, who struggled to move the Bears’ offense during the preseason, as the Bears' starting quarterback. Grossman led the Bears to seven consecutive victories, but struggled during the later portion of the season. Smith stood by Grossman through much criticism. The Bears finished the 2006 season with a 13–3 record, earning the NFC’s top playoff seed. The Bears finished the season with the NFL's second-ranked scoring offense, and fifth-ranked overall defense.^[8]

Smith led the Bears to a 27–24 victory against the defending NFC champion Seattle Seahawks during the 2006 Divisional Playoffs, winning the first playoff game of his career. Later, a 39–14 victory came against the New Orleans Saints at the NFC Championship. Smith became the first Black head coach (and the second minority coach, behind Tom Flores) to lead his team to a Super Bowl, just hours before Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy, his good friend and mentor, became the second. The two friends together became the first two Black head coaches in the Super Bowl.^[9][10] The Bears lost Super Bowl XLI, 29–17, and Smith earned the somewhat dubious honor of being the first African American head coach to lose in the Super Bowl.^[11]

2007-present[link]

Smith at training camp, 2009

Following Chicago's successful season, Smith demanded a pay raise. The lowest-paid coach in the NFL in 2006 at $1.35 million, Smith would have earned $1.45 million in the final season of a four-year contract. After a stalemate in contract negotiations, the Bears signed Smith to a new four-year contract worth $22 million on March 1.^[12] However, he parted with defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, who was not re-signed after his contract expired. Additionally, four other members of Smith's coaching staff also left the team.^[13]

Smith on the sideline in November 2009

In 2007, Smith, confident in Grossman's abilities, named him the team's starting quarterback over Kyle Orton and Brian Griese. After the team started the season with a 1–2 record, Smith announced that Griese would replace Grossman. Griese led the Bears to a 2–3 record, but sustained an injury in a game against the Oakland Raiders, which allowed Grossman to become the team's starting quarterback again. However, Grossman was later injured in the season, and temporarily relieved by Griese. Smith ultimately allowed Kyle Orton to finish the remainder of the season, who led the Bears to a 2–1 record. The team's inconsistency at the quarterback position and failure to establish a proper running game contributed to the team's 7–9 finish. While the team finished last in the NFC North, Smith was pleased that the team ended the season by winning their last two games. Bob Babich, the team's defensive coordinator, was also criticized for his play calling.

The next year, Smith and the Bears parted with their leading rusher Cedric Benson, passer Griese, and receiver Bernard Berrian. Smith declared Kyle Orton as the team's starting quarterback, who started the season with an upset victory over the Indianapolis Colts. The Bears proceeded to go 2–2, with two overtime losses. The team managed to avoid falling below .500 for the remainder of the season, but missed the playoffs after losing their season finale to the Houston Texans. Smith was pleased with the success of rookie running back Matt Forte and quarterback Kyle Orton, who finished the season with a 79.6 quarterback rating. After the season's conclusion, Smith demoted Babich and took over defensive play calling responsibilities. He was also reunited with his long-time friend, Rod Marinelli, who had lost his head coaching job with the Detroit Lions.

Later in the offseason, Smith and general manager Jerry Angelo had conflicting views on the future of the team's quarterback position. While Smith was content with Orton, Angelo was more interested in creating a long-term solution to the position. Angelo traded Orton and the Bears' 2009 and 2010 first round draft picks for Jay Cutler of the Denver Broncos. The team's high expectations were quickly grounded when the Bears struggled in the month of November, losing four of five games. The Bears were eliminated from the playoff race for the third consecutive year after losing to the Green Bay Packers during a Week 14 matchup. The loss marked the first time that the Bears under Lovie Smith had ever lost two games to Green Bay in a single season.

A week after the loss to Green Bay, it was reported that despite rumors about changes to the Bears coaching staff, Smith would remain the team's head coach.^[14] Jerry Angelo, the team's general manager, refused to confirm these reports when addressing the media the following Sunday.^[15] Smith finished the season with consecutive wins against the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions. His victory over Detroit marked his 100th game as the team's head coach.^[16]

After the season's conclusion, the Bears organization announced that Smith would return in 2010. However, the organization fired offensive coordinator Ron Turner and three other offensive coaches. Turner was replaced by Mike Martz, who had been the head coach of the St. Louis Rams when Smith was their defensive coordinator. Smith was relieved of his defensive play-calling responsibilities, while Babich was officially demoted as the team's defensive coordinator.^[17]

Personal life[link]

Lovie and his wife, MaryAnne Smith, have three children: Mikal, Matthew, and Miles.^[5]

Smith, whose mother is blind because of diabetes, is an active supporter of the American Diabetes Association. In addition to participating in various events for the ADA, he 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.^[5] He was the Grand Marshal for the USG Sheetrock 400 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway on July 15, 2007.^[18]

Smith is a devout Christian and has contributed every month to Brown's Chapel, his former Methodist church in Texas, even though he no longer resides in Texas.^[19] In 2012, Smith was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, along with Bubba Smith, Dave Parks, Andre Ware, Mack Brown and Fred Couples.^[20]

Coaching record[link]

Coaching tree[link]

NFL head coaches under whom Lovie Smith has served:

• Tony Dungy, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1996–2000)
• Mike Martz, St. Louis Rams (2001–2003)

Assistant coaches under Lovie Smith who became NFL head coaches:

• Perry Fewell, Buffalo Bills (Interim, 2009)
• Ron Rivera, Carolina Panthers (2011-present)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official Bears profile

Brian Urlacher

Brian Urlacher during the 2008 season.
No. 54     Chicago Bears
Middle linebacker
Personal information
Date of birth: (1978-05-25) May 25, 1978 (age 34)
Place of birth: Pasco, Washington
Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) Weight: 258 lb (117 kg)
Career information
College: New Mexico
NFL Draft: 2000 / Round: 1 / Pick: 9
Debuted in 2000 for the Chicago Bears
Career history
Chicago Bears (2000–present)
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
8× Pro Bowl (2000-2003, 2005-2006, 2010-2011) 5× All-Pro (2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2010) NFC champion (2006) Brian Piccolo Award (2007) Ed Block Courage Award (2011) AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2005) Football Digest Defensive Player of the Year (2001) NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2000) 4× Defensive Player-of-the-Week Special Teams Player of the Week NFC Player of the Month (December 2010, January 2011) NFL Rookie Defensive Player of the Month (10/2000) NFL 2000s All-Decade Team NFL fumble return yards leader (2001) NFL 20/20 club Chicago Bears season tackles record (153, 2002) Chicago Bears career tackles record (1,192) Consensus All-American (1999) UNM Male Athlete of the Year (1999) UNM season record for most tackles (1999)
Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2011
Tackles 1,285 Sacks 41.5 INTs 21 Stats at NFL.com
Stats at pro-football-reference.com

Brian Keith Urlacher ( /ˈɜrlækər/; born May 25, 1978) is an American football linebacker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of New Mexico, where he was recognized as an All-American and one of the school's most decorated athletes. He started his professional career with the Bears as the ninth overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft, and has played his entire professional career for the Bears.

Urlacher has since established himself as one of the league's most productive defensive players. After winning the NFL Rookie of the Year Award in 2000, he has been elected to eight Pro Bowls,^[1] and won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in 2005.^[2] His playing style, accomplishments and reputation have made him one of the team's most popular players. Urlacher has also been spokesperson for several companies.^[3] Sega Sports selected Urlacher to appear on the cover of NFL 2K3, while other companies, such as Nike, McDonald's, Old Spice, and Vitamin Water, have featured him in several television advertisements and promotions.^[4][5]

Early life[link]

Brian Urlacher was born to Bradley and Lavoyda Urlacher in Pasco, Washington.^[6] After his parents separated, Lavoyda raised Urlacher and his siblings in Lovington, New Mexico. He spent his youth immersed in sports, and developed an interest in football, basketball, and later table tennis; he graduated from Lovington High School in 1996.^[6] While his mother worked several jobs to keep her family afloat, Urlacher spent his teenage years playing sports for Lovington High School and training in weight rooms.^[6] The training helped Urlacher gain the speed, stamina, and strength he would need to solidify his football career.^[6]

As he progressed through high school, Urlacher gained experience in all three phases of football. He saw playing time as a running back, wide receiver, return specialist, and defensive back.^[2] Urlacher led the Lovington High Wildcats to an undefeated 14–0 season, and a division 3-A state championship.^[6] He finished the season with twelve touchdown receptions, six touchdown returns, and two rushing touchdowns.^[2] He additionally merited state-recognized honors in football, as well as basketball.^[7] Lovington has since recognized Urlacher's accomplishments by retiring his high-school jersey number, and naming a holiday after him.^[2]

Collegiate career[link]

Urlacher wished to attend Texas Tech University but the school did not offer him an athletic scholarship.^[6] The University of New Mexico and New Mexico State University were the only two Division I schools that offered Urlacher scholarships.^[6] He enrolled into the University of New Mexico, and chose to major in Criminology.^[7] The New Mexico Lobos' head coach, Dennis Franchione, converted Urlacher to linebacker, but often left him on the sidelines in favor of more experienced players.^[6] The team finished with winning records during Urlacher's first two years and even made a trip to the 1997 Insight.com Bowl.^[6] The team's success prompted Franchione to leave New Mexico in favor of Texas Christian University. His departure prompted the school to hire Rocky Long, a former coach at UCLA.