The Houston Texans fired Lovie Smith as their coach Sunday evening.
The Texans finished 3-13-1 and the organization decided to initiate a search for a new coach for the third time in as many offseasons.
General manager Nick Caserio thanked Smith for his contributions to the team in the past two seasons — one as defensive coordinator and the last as coach — and emphasized the move was about improving as an organization.
“I’m constantly evaluating our football operation and believe this is the best decision for us at this time,” said Caserio. “It is my responsibility to build a comprehensive and competitive program that can sustain success over a long period of time. We aren’t there right now, however, with the support of the McNair family and the resources available to us, I’m confident in the direction of our football program moving forward.”
Twitter was full of takes after learning of the firing of Smith.
Teams since merger to go 1 year and done with coaches in successive seasons:
1976-78 #49ers: Monte Clark, Ken Meyer, Pete McCulley
2015-16 49ers: Jim Tomsula, Chip Kelly
2021-22 Texans: David Culley, Lovie Smith— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) January 9, 2023
Also, Lovie Smith deserves better. Especially after the off-season Houston had. That was a bad firing.
— Corncob TV (@BobAndHisDog) January 9, 2023
So are the Houston Texans going to fire their Head Coach after only one season every year? Lovie Smith deserves better than that. @HoustonTexans
— Tom Smith (@theetimebombtom) January 9, 2023
Lovie Smith when he realizes he gets paid for the next 3 years to NOT coach the Texans. pic.twitter.com/mm1Hzfko5Y
— Ⓜ️arshall (@didtie) January 9, 2023
What are the Texans doing. What kind of operation is this where you don’t have any convictions about supporting the coaches you hire. Who is going to want to coach there if you might only get one year to implement your plans. Two years in a row is ridiculous. https://t.co/Lrn6jyVs7P
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) January 9, 2023
The only people I see upset about Lovie Smith getting fired are non Texans fans
— Texas Longhorn Junkie (@Texas_Junkie) January 9, 2023
Lovie Smith fired…. Either he wasn't suppose to win today or he gave a parting gift to the Texans for firing him earlier this week behind closed doors. https://t.co/LDLOszrQHj
— Scott Shanle⁵⁸ (@scottshanle) January 9, 2023
That organization is so ridiculous. If they were going to fire Lovie Smith, they should have done it before he had a chance to cost the team the first overall pick.
— The 7th Sixer (@sixersfandre) January 9, 2023
I believe lovie smith won that game on purpose because he knew he was getting fired lol
— Gerren (@Gerren713) January 9, 2023
Lovie Smith had one of the greatest coaching performances in Chicago Bears history today #BearDown 🐻⬇️
— Mr. Got Game ™ (@TerranceKywan) January 9, 2023
considering the roster he was handed, I thought Lovie Smith did a really good job in Houston. Texans are a circus
— STΞVΞ (@RacingDFS) January 9, 2023
Texans fired Lovie Smith already. Used a very good coach for a tank year. Back to back one and dones. There’s gotta be consequences
— RandyLahey (@RandyLahey747) January 9, 2023
How tf does Lovie Smith get fired before Jeff Saturday???
— Julius Sr (@JutheGoat) January 9, 2023
The decision to hire Lovie Smith to be an NFL head coach was insane when it happened, but the process was so bizarre and the alternatives were so insane and his predecessors were so bad that we just accepted it to be a normal decision that any other team would make. It wasn't
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) January 9, 2023
What exactly did the Texans expect with their roster? This is nuts. They were competitive in nearly every game with a roster of no names. Lovie Smith is a good football coach. https://t.co/32hdiwfdoy
— Paul Rutledge (@PaulRutledgePhD) January 9, 2023
Can’t say I’m surprised the Texans fired Lovie Smith. Generally I think a coach needs time to build a program, but you can’t be the coach or coordinator of a team that loses 13 games in back-to-back years and keep the job. I’m hoping they give a serious look at DeMeco Ryans.
— Jason Hughes (@jhughes_esq) January 9, 2023
Who on earth would take this job? Lovie Smith is 10x better than anyone they will find. https://t.co/qwNpoMKOvn
— Matt LaCombe (@MattLaCombe) January 9, 2023
Texans have/will paid David Culley and Lovie Smith 33.5 million to NOT coach.
— Single and ready to disappoint (@DyslexicSports) January 9, 2023
Houston never truly wanted Lovie Smith. Lovie was a panic hire and PR move by Houston. Houston was about to hire Josh McCown as head coach but they got ripped to shreds for that potential hire b/c McCown only had 1 year coaching experience as a HS assistant coach. https://t.co/uPJWL0Db1T
— Jonathan Baker (@Jayb_1411) January 9, 2023
