Even a decade later, Chicago Bears fans have a great appreciation for former head coach Lovie Smith, who coached the team from 2004-2012.
Since being fired by the Bears, Smith has served as the head coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2014-15) and Illinois (2016-20). Smith joined the Houston Texans last season as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator, and now he’s getting another opportunity as a head coach in the NFL.
The Texans have officially hired Smith as their next head coach, which has many Bears fans excited about their beloved former head coach getting another opportunity.
Smith was fired in 2012 after leading the Bears to a 10-6 record, which still doesn’t sit well with fans (or former players) to this day. But there seems to be one consensus among Bears fans — a shared appreciation for when good things happen for Lovie Smith.
Here’s how Bears fans reacted to Smith’s new coaching opportunity with the Texans, which will have Smith returning to Chicago for a matchup in 2022.