Houston Texans Fire Head Coach Lovie Smith After One Season

Jan 9, 2023, 10:01 AM

Head Coach Lovie Smith of the Houston Texans looks on during the second half of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 08, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS & KSL SPORTS

HOUSTON (AP) — Lovie Smith has been fired as coach of the Houston Texans on Sunday night after just one season where the team went 3-13-1.

It’s the second straight season in which the Texans have fired a coach after just one year.

They parted ways with David Culley last January after he went 4-13 in his only season.

Thank you, Coach Smith. pic.twitter.com/j1lshub6u5

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 9, 2023

Texans CEO Cal McNair released the following statement on Smith’s dismissal:

“Nick Caserio and I spoke with Lovie Smith tonight and informed him that we will be moving in a different direction as an organization. I appreciate Coach Smith and his entire family for their contributions over the last two seasons. We are grateful for his leadership and character, and we wish him the best moving forward. While we understand the results have not been what we had hoped for, we are committed to building a program that produces long-term, sustainable success. Our fans and city deserve a team that they can be proud of. I will work alongside Nick Caserio throughout this process and I’m confident we will find the right leader for our football team.”

A statement from Chair and CEO Cal McNair: pic.twitter.com/EXfIbUYOBc

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 9, 2023

The NFL team’s general manager Nick Caserio added the following comments on Smith:

“On behalf of the entire organization, I would like to thank Lovie Smith for everything he has contributed to our team over the last two seasons as a coach and a leader. I’m constantly evaluating our football operation and believe this is the best decision for us at this time. 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.”