The Texans may not have quarterback Deshaun Watson for the 2021 season, but they will have Lovie Smith.
Mike Garafolo of NFL Media reports that Smith has agreed to a deal to become the defensive coordinator in Houston. Word of the team’s interest in adding Smith to head coach David Culley’s staff surfaced a couple of days ago.
Smith spent the last five seasons as the head coach of Illinois and the team went 17-39 during his time at the school. He was 8-24 as the Bucs head coach in 2014 and 2015 and 81-63 over nine seasons as the Bears head coach.
Smith was last a defensive coordinator with the Rams from 2001 to 2003, so it has been a while since he has been in a non-head coaching role. He’ll be charged with improving a unit that finished 27th in points allowed and 30th in yards allowed.