Texans Coach Lovie Smith’s Job In Danger: Inside the Possible Firing

INDIANAPOLIS – The Houston Texans’ revolving door of head coaches could possibly be poised to spin round for the third 12 months in a row.

Texans coach Lovie Smith’s job safety is taken into account to be in severe hazard heading into the ultimate sport of one other dismal season because the group weighs dismissing the coach after one 12 months as head coach, based on league sources not approved to talk publicly.

In his first season, the Texans have amassed a league-worst 2-13-1 file heading into Sunday’s closing sport of the season towards the Indianapolis Colts.

“No, Lovie’s job just isn’t protected,” a supply stated. “This has been a horrible season, however that is not all that that is about.”

Among the many considerations expressed by sources about Smith’s administration type: not being receptive to strategies and suggestions relating to technique, scheme, observe routines and the usage of analytics and different knowledge.

Smith, 64, has been characterised as an old-school coach who has been as marketed when it comes to making use of a hard-nosed and hard-working strategy to the sport.

The myriad of points with the Texans haven’t concerned a scarcity of buy-in from gamers, per a number of sources. 

The hassle is thought to be being constantly robust, together with stable performances in 5 one-score defeats that embrace latest losses to the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. 

Nevertheless, the Texans have been steamrolled 31-3 by the Jacksonville Jaguars final Sunday and weren’t aggressive.

The roster nonetheless has apparent holes, together with the all-important quarterback place anticipated to be addressed within the draft and/or free company.

The Texans will earn the highest general decide of the draft ought to they lose Sunday. A mix of a Texans win and the Chicago Bears dropping or tying their sport to the Minnesota Vikings would imply the Texans wind up with the second general decide.

After elevating Smith from the defensive coordinator spot, the Texans have carried out even worse than anticipated after going 4-13 in 2021 beneath David Culley. A primary-time head coach, Culley was fired after one season — only one 12 months after the Texans fired Invoice O’Brien following an 0-4 begin in 2020.

The Texans are averaging simply 16.1 factors, rating thirty first beneath offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton and final in complete offense. Smith’s protection ranks thirtieth in yards allowed and twenty sixth in scoring.

The special-teams models coached by Frank Ross have been one of many few brilliant spots throughout a dismal season throughout which the Texans did not win a house sport for the primary time in franchise historical past, going 0-7-1.

Smith has made his case for staying on the job publicly and privately to the Texans, together with with CEO and chairman Cal McNair.

Smith acknowledged this week that the Texans have not met the admittedly low expectations for a rebuilding franchise.

“I believe it’s protected to say we haven’t,” Smith stated. “All people has excessive targets for profitable each sport, profitable the division. There’s a number of issues that we didn’t get achieved. Was that sensible? I don’t know, however these have been our targets.”

Ought to the Texans fireplace Smith, they’re thought of a pretty job vacation spot. The Texans and Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon have mutual curiosity if the job is open, based on sources. Former Texans linebacker DeMeco Ryans, the San Francisco 49ers’ highly-rated defensive coordinator, just isn’t anticipated to pursue the job. However price mentioning at this early stage: Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.

“That is an awesome state of affairs to stroll into,” an NFL supply stated. “The Texans have cash to spend and a few good younger gamers. It isn’t like the cabinet is completely naked.”

The Texans in 2023 have a projected $47.7 million in salary-cap house and two first-round draft picks following the commerce of quarterback Deshaun Watson by normal supervisor Nick Caserio, whose job is believed to be protected, based on a number of sources.

“Nick has had a number of heavy lifting to do in Houston,” a supply stated. “They virtually needed to begin from scratch.”

And after Sunday’s sport? Relating to the pinnacle teaching spot, Houston could also be “ranging from scratch” once more.

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