Lovie Smith stepped to the podium Tuesday, and he was grateful to be there.
“First of all, I am excited to remain in my position,” Smith said, speaking after President Ted Phillips and G.M. Jerry Angelo, with ownership looking on.
Smith confirmed that he will no longer run the defense, although the scheme won’t change.
“When you have a basic philosophy, of course you want someone with a similar philosophy . . . At the same time, you want to bring in some new ideas.”
Smith talked about the decision to hire someone else to run the defense.
“You look at every season independently. I felt like last year that was the best for me to do. I feel differently now,” Smith said.
Of course, someone from above may have forced Smith to feel differently. The coordinator position will be filled from outside the organization. Reports that Rod Marinelli was going to take over the defensive coordinator job proved premature.
Smith implied Marinelli preferred to remain the defensive line/assistant head coach.
No matter what jobs Marinelli and Smith hold, they know they will need to win in 2010 for Smith to hold this press conference next year.