Lovie Smith spent nine years in the NFC North as head coach of the Chicago Bears. His next coaching job may also reside in the black-and-blue division.
According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Smith is expected to interview for the head coaching job for the Detroit Lions. The Lions fired Jim Schwartz as head coach on Monday.
The story cites John Wooten, chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance that promotes diversity in the NFL, in the expectation that Smith will interview in Detroit.
“We have a great relationship (with Lions general manager Martin Mayhew) and it’s been that way for a long time,” Wooten said. “We talk every week. We don’t just talk when disaster comes, we talk all the time.”
Smith compiled a 81-63 record and won the NFC North three times in nine seasons as head coach of the Bears, including an appearance in Super Bowl XLI.