The Houston Texans made the news official on Monday, naming Lovie Smith as their fifth head coach in franchise history. Smith recently completed his first season with the Texans as associate head coach and defensive coordinator in 2021, bringing 20 total seasons of NFL coaching experience, including 11 as a head coach.
As soon as news of Smith's interview broke Sunday night, several Houston Texans players voiced their approval via Twitter. The club announced Smith as the new head coach Monday night.
DB Desmond King II recorded his first interception since 2018, then added two more. The former All-Pro DB finished the 2021 season with a single-season career-tying record of three interceptions with Smith calling plays on the defensive side of the ball.
Tavierre Thomas responded with a multiple popcorn emjojis. Last season, Thomas scored on the first pick-six of his career, a 48-yard touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers. Thomas also posted a career-high two interception and his first career forced fumble under Smith.
Under Smith, Lonnie Johnson logged a career-high three interceptions in 14 games with seven starts.
Jonathan Owens also showed his interest in seeing Smith become head coach. Owens earned his first career start last season at Jacksonville and then followed up his debut with an interception and a fumble recovery one week later against the Chargers.
In Smith's first season leading the Texans' defense, Houston recorded 25 total takeaways, tied for 10th in the NFL, while intercepting 3.1 percent of opponent passing attempts, the fifth-highest rate in the league. The Texans defense finished with 11 different players recording an interception, the most in the NFL.
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The Houston Texans have hired Lovie Smith as the team's fifth head coach in franchise history.
An image from the regular season week 11 game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN, on Nov. 21, 2021.
An image from NFL regular season week 6 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on Oct. 17, 2021.
An image from NFL regular season week 7 game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Oct. 24, 2021.
An image from NFL regular season week 6 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on Oct. 17, 2021.
An image from the Aug. 25, 2021 Houston Texans training camp practice in Houston, TX.
An image from the Aug. 8, 2021 Houston Texans training camp practice.
An image from the regular season week 3 Thursday Night Football game between the Houston Texans and the Carolina Panthers at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX on Sept. 23, 2021.
An image from the Aug. 8, 2021 Houston Texans training camp practice.
An image from the regular season week 13 game against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, on Dec. 05, 2021.
An image from the regular season week 11 game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN, on Nov. 21, 2021.
An image from NFL regular season week 9 game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, on Nov. 7, 2021.
An image from the regular season week two away game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sept. 19, 2021. The Texans lost 21-31.
An image from NFL regular season week 6 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on Oct. 17, 2021.
An image from the Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars NFL week one game at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX on Sep. 12 2021. The Texans won 37-21.
An image from the regular season week 4 game between the Buffalo Bills and the Houston Texans at Highmark stadium in Orchard Park, NY, on Oct. 3, 2021.
An image from NFL regular season week 6 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on Oct. 17, 2021.
An image from the Sept. 29, 2021 Houston Texans regular season practice at NRG Stadium.
An image from the Aug. 14, 2021 Texans preseason game against the Greenbay Packers. The Texans won 26-7.
An image from the regular season week 11 game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN, on Nov. 21, 2021.
An image from the regular season week two away game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sept. 19, 2021. The Texans lost 21-31.
An image from the regular season week 11 game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN, on Nov. 21, 2021.
An image from the July 30, 2021 Houston Texans Training Camp Practice.
An image from the July 29, 2021 Houston Texans Training Camp Practice.
An image from the regular season week 8 game against the Los Angeles Rams at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, on Oct. 31, 2021.
An image from the Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars NFL week one game at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX on Sep. 12 2021. The Texans won 37-21.
An image from the Aug. 19, 2021 Houston Texans training camp practice.
