For the 2022 Houston Texans, with where the organization was, Lovie Smith was a good pick to lead this team. But will that still be the case after this season?
Here are the cases for and against Smith being one-and-done.
Case For, No. 1: Look around the NFL
Young coaches are coaching up teams during rebuilds around the league.
Robert Saleh in New York, Mike McDaniel in Miami and Brian Daboll in New York, just to name a few.
Do you think the Giants are 7-2 with Smith at the helm? Would Smith revive the defensive equivalent of Tua the way McDaniel has in Miami? Does Lovie have the grasp of the current NFL that Saleh does?
In fairness, those rebuilds were further along when the coaches took their gigs and no prime candidate was taking this gig the last two years, but do you think Smith will coach his guys up like those guys have?
I have my doubts and a decade and a half of data.
Case For, No. 2: You know what Lovie Smith is as a head coach
Smith has been a head coach for 15 years. Here are the numbers:
NFL Record: 90-94-1
81-63 Chicago
8-24 Tampa Bay
1-7-1 Houston
College Record: 17-39
Total HC Record: 107-133-1
Stats:
Five winning seasons in 15 years
10 losing seasons (counting this one)
One 8-8 season
Is Derek Stingley being used right in this scheme? Does Lovie’s scheme work in the current NFL?
Obviously there is a gray area and variables that contribute to his win-loss record, but these are the numbers and most importantly, when the Texans get more talent, beginning this off-season, there’s reasonable questions as to if the young guys will be coached up the way they need to be.
Case For, No. 3: San Francisco!
The 49ers had two one-and-done coaches before they hired Kyle Shanahan: Jim Tomsula and Chip Kelly.
Shanahan assistants have had some pretty good success, including Saleh and McDaniel. DeMeco Ryans will be a hot commodity in the off-season (just saying …)
Case For, No. 4: The already known and potential franchise QB
Didn’t we already know Smith wasn’t the long-term head coach of this team? If the prime candidate is out there and available, why wait? Also, if you draft a QB don’t you want the long-term guy here?
Case For, No. 5: There are more options
Let’s be honest, there weren’t many top-tier candidates that wanted this gig the last two seasons.
However, heading into an off-season where Jack Easterby is gone, the Deshaun Watson cloud has left, cap space is increasing, draft equity is at a premium, a potential franchise QB could be coming to town and the job is more appealing the question should be asked, is Smith still the right guy for the job?
Case Against, No. 1: The perception
This is the most common case against Smith being done after one year that I hear and read the most. The bad look of firing coaches after one season in consecutive years.
Case Against, No. 2: Lack of talent
There aren’t many coaches who could have much success with this roster and at this point in the rebuild the process is more important than results. Should Lovie get a chance to oversee things when talent is better and the job is more appealing? Some think so.
Case Against, No. 3: Staffing changes?
Should Smith have the opportunity to make staffing changes and remain head coach?
Pep Hamilton’s lack of success this season generates a lot of dialogue, but should Smith also be looking for a new person to call the defense?
If Smith were an offensive coach there would be a lot more dialogue about him potentially giving up play-calling. His best defensive seasons as a head coach came when he had quality defensive coordinators.
Maybe staffing changes make more sense.