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  • Lovie Doesn't Love 2013

    by
    Rich Gapinski
    Published on 01-28-2013 01:34 PM
    9 Comments Comments


    Former Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith is planning to sit out the 2013 season. Reports are coming out today that confirm a prior report from Michael C. Wright on January 16. It seems that it may be premature to give up on the year 2013 before it is a month old, but this year certainly has not been kind to Smith.

    Despite a 10-6 record last season and career winning percentage above 56%, January 1, 2013 began jobless for Lovie Smith. The Tampa 2 specialist, who was able to convert his defense enough to keep up with the offensive trends in the league, simply did not draw a ton of interest. The Bears finished 3rd in points per game allowed and saw both of their starting corners go to the Pro Bowl. Unfortunately, the coaching hiring season has not been kind to someone with defensive credentials.

    Also, the lack of minority hires this month has led to rumors about an extension of The Rooney Rule to coordinator positions. Lovie Smith and Tony Dungy became the first two black head coaches to face each other in Super Bowl 41.

    Only one defensive-minded coach has been hired to the 8 open coaching positions around the league. Two teams, the Eagles and the Saints, still have defensive coordinator openings. Smith did interview for head coaching vacancies in Buffalo, San Diego and Philadelphia. Each team hired an offensive-minded coach after meeting with Smith.

    The true reasons are unclear as to why Smith has decided to sit out. Perhaps he got sick of the process. Perhaps he has been told his system is tough to sell. Of course, that doesn't matter. The NFL will move on this season while Smith stays put.

    Comments 9 Comments
    1. Docta's Avatar
      The Bears still owe him $5 million for the last year of his contract, so at least he'll get paid to do nothing. He really shouldn't have to downgrade to DC anyway after how well that D played. There just weren't enough head coaching jobs.
      Reply
    1. wxwax's Avatar
      8 years as a head coach is wearying, too. He might enjoy a break. Los of jobs will open next season, they usually do.
      Reply
    1. hobbes27's Avatar
      Quote Originally Posted by Docta View Post
      The Bears still owe him $5 million for the last year of his contract, so at least he'll get paid to do nothing. He really shouldn't have to downgrade to DC anyway after how well that D played. There just weren't enough head coaching jobs.
      What do you mean there wasn't enough head coaching jobs? 1/4 of the teams in the league were looking for new head coaches. That seems to be about average when it comes to new coach openings.
      Reply
    1. Docta's Avatar
      There weren't enough head coaching jobs for him. The only defensive coaches I recall being interviewed for HC positions were Bradley, Horton, Singletary, and Lovie.
      Reply
    1. wxwax's Avatar
      I think Mike Nolan got a look-see with the Iggles, but withdrew his name almost immediately.
      Reply
    1. Docta's Avatar
      Mike Zimmer was also interviewed. Fangio would have gotten some interviews if it weren't for the Niners playoff run.
      Reply
    1. mikesteelnation1's Avatar
      Quote Originally Posted by Docta View Post
      There weren't enough head coaching jobs for him. The only defensive coaches I recall being interviewed for HC positions were Bradley, Horton, Singletary, and Lovie.
      Someone ACTUALLY interviewed simpletary??? Are you kidding me??? That screams "courtesy interview to fulfill the Rooney rule", and gives legs to why the rule may not be so great. No owner in his right mind would interview that guy after seeing what harbaugh has done since... Are you kidding me??

      Im not surprised Smith didn't get a spot. If he's married to his Tampa 2, its no wonder. Terrible scheme in today's NFL without 2 pro bowl corners, a penetrating nt, and a mike that can drop.

      He's been a good coach, but if he's married to that scheme its why he got all the "no thank you's" after his interviews. Even if he said all the right stuff, an owner may have had that at the back of his mind. Tampa 2 doesn't work anymore, the best qbs slaughter it. Owners hire coaches to win Lombardi's. The Tampa 2 doesn't. Add to that how the bears folded like an origami duck late. None of that engenders him to an NFL owner that lovie can be the guy that leads the franchise to the "promised land".
      Reply
    1. Docta's Avatar
      Quote Originally Posted by mikesteelnation1 View Post
      Someone ACTUALLY interviewed simpletary??? Are you kidding me??? That screams "courtesy interview to fulfill the Rooney rule", and gives legs to why the rule may not be so great. No owner in his right mind would interview that guy after seeing what harbaugh has done since... Are you kidding me??
      The Bears interviewed him, but Keith Armstrong was before him, so they had already fulfilled the Rooney Rule. No one really knows why he got it.
      Reply
    1. mikesteelnation1's Avatar
      Quote Originally Posted by Docta View Post
      The Bears interviewed him, but Keith Armstrong was before him, so they had already fulfilled the Rooney Rule. No one really knows why he got it.
      And I'm certain as a bears fan you exhaled and celebrated when simpletary was passed over.

      Total franchise icon flub interview there... No way you fire a coach who's 10-6 and hire a guy who dropped trough, and under coached such a talented team. They had to interview him, just for his status with the franchise. They owed him that.

      Upper management is a tangled political web, one wrought with who you know. Some succumb to that, some don't. It's why the Steelers hired tomlin instead of whis or Grimm. We ignored the politics, and grabbed the best coach. Seems the bears did too, in.this vernacular.
      Reply