Even though the Houston Texans finished 3-13-1, a record worse than the 4-13 finish a season ago that cost rookie coach David Culley his job, Lovie Smith thought he would get another shot.
After the Texans’ 32-31 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 18 that resulted in Houston not securing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 as a result, Smith told reporters that he expected to be back with the Texans the next season.
“A couple things, and that’s all I’m going to say about that,” Smith said. “First off, they’re reports. I don’t know what the reports are. Yeah, I meet with [chairman and CEO] Cal (McNair) every Monday. I met with him this past Monday. As far as — we talk about what’s happening the last game. We understand the totality of the season on what’s going on. Do I expect to be back? Yeah, I expect to be back. Absolutely.”
When asked to elaborate of a scenario wherein he wouldn’t return to the Texans, Smith said, “No need for hypotheticals. I can’t get into those.”
The 3-13-1 finish is also the second-worst of Smith’s coaching career. The worst record for Smith was in 2014 when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished 2-14.
Smith, a former 2005 NFL Coach of the Year, was brought into the Texans organization as a defensive coordinator on Culley’s staff. Smith retained duties as defensive play-caller after taking over for Culley as coach in Feb. 2022.
