Lovie Smith Biography and Wiki
Lovie Smith (born Lovie Lee Smith) is a well-known American football coach who works as the head coach of the University of Illinois at Urban Champaign Fighting Illini football team.
Lovie was previously the head coach of the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL) from 2004 – 2012, and the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2014 – 2015. He has been to the Super Bowl twice, as the defensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams and as the head coach for the Bears in 2006.
Lovie Smith Age
Lovie is 62 years old as of 2020, he was born on May 8, 1958, in Gladewater, Texas, United States. He celebrates his birthday on May 8 every year and his birth sign is Taurus.
Lovie Smith Height and Weight
Lovie stands at a height of 5 feet 11 inches (1.8 m) and Weighs 84 kg (184 Ibs). However, details regarding his other body measurements are currently not publicly available. We are keeping tabs and will update this information once it is out.
Lovie Smith Education
Lovie Smith attended Big Sandy High School and he later joined The University of Tulsa Oklahoma U.S.A.
Lovie Smith High school
During Smith’s high school career in Big Sandy, he earned all-state honors for three years as a defensive end and linebacker. His team won three consecutive state championships in 1973-75, including a 0–0 tie in 1974 versus Celina High School of legendary coach G. A. Moore.
In 1975, Big Sandy had one of the most dominant seasons in high school football history, as the defense allowed only 15 points (11 shutouts) all season, while the offense, featuring eventual Miami Dolphins running back David Overstreet, scored a then-national record 824 points.
Lovie Smith College
Smith played college football at the University of Tulsa under head coach John Cooper. He was a two-time All-American at linebacker and defensive back. He was hired as defensive coordinator at his hometown high school in 1980. A year later he left to coach at Cascia Hall Preparatory School in Tulsa.
By 1983, he began coaching linebackers on the college level, first at his alma mater Tulsa (1983–86), and then at University of Wisconsin–Madison (1987), Arizona State University (1988–91), and the University of Kentucky (1992). He also served as defensive backs coach at the University of Tennessee (1993–94), and Ohio State University (1995).
Lovie Smith Parents, Family, and Siblings
Lovie was born and raised by his parents, Thurman Smith (father) and Mae Smith (mother) in Gladewater, Texas, United States. Our efforts to find out more about his family came to no avail as no such information is publicly available. Thus, the identity of Lovie’s parents is still unclear. It is also not known if he has any siblings. Nevertheless, this section will be updated as soon as it is available.
Lovie Smith Wife, Is He Married?
Lovie Smith is happily married to his beautiful partner, MaryAnne. The couple has been together since 1980. Lovie and his spouse, MaryAnne are also the founders of the Lovie and MaryAnne Smith Foundation, a program that provides educational and life skill opportunities to worthy young people who otherwise face barriers in reaching their educational goals.
Lovie Smith Children
Lovie Smith and his adorable wife, MaryAnne are proud parents of three sons; Miles Smith, Matthew Smith, and Mikal Smith. Smith’s eldest son Miles Smith is the linebacker’s coach of Illini.
Miles joined the coaching staff as a graduate assistant and spent the 2018 season filling in as cornerbacks coach after Donnie Abraham resigned in August. According to his father Lovie Smith, Miles Smith was responsible for recruiting linebacker Tarique Barnes, one of two 2019 prospects Illinois added on national signing day.
Lovie Smith Salary
Lovie receives an admirable salary of $5 million dollars annually through a contract of $21 million dollars after he was named the head coach for the University of Illinois.
Lovie Smith Net Worth
Smith has an estimated net worth of $10 million dollars as of 2020. This includes his assets, money, and income. His primary source of income is his career as an American football coach. Through his various sources of income, Lovie has been able to accumulate a good fortune but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.
Lovie Smith Measurements and Facts
Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about Lovie Smith.
Lovie Smith Bio and Wiki
- Full Names: Lovie Lee Smith
- Popular As: Lovie Smith
- Gender: Male
- Occupation / Profession: American Football Coach
- Nationality: American
- Race / Ethnicity: African American
- Religion: Christian
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
Lovie Smith Birthday
- Age / How Old?: 62 years (2020)
- Zodiac Sign: Taurus
- Date of Birth: May 8, 1958
- Place of Birth: Gladewater, Texas, United States
- Birthday: May 8,
Lovie Smith Body Measurements
- Body Measurements: Not Available
- Height / How Tall?: 5 feet 11 inches (1.8 m)
- Weight: 84 kg (184 Ibs)
- Eye Color: Dark Brown
- Hair Color: Black
- Shoe Size: Not Available
Lovie Smith Family and Relationship
- Father (Dad): Thurman Smith
- Mother: Mae Smith
- Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): Not Known
- Marital Status: Married
- Wife/Spouse: Married to MaryAnne Smith
- Children: Sons (Miles Smith, Matthew Smith, Mikal Smith)
Lovie Smith Networth and Salary
- Net Worth: $10 million dollars
- Salary: Under Review
- Source of Income: American Football Coach
Lovie Smith House and Cars
- Place of living: U.S.A.
- Cars: Car Brand to be Updated
Lovie Smith Contract
Smith signed a six-year deal in 2015 when he arrived in Champaign in March 2016, two months after his dismissal as Tampa Buccaneers’ head coach and three years after he left the state of Illinois as the fired Chicago Bears’ head coach. His original deal, called for $21 million dollars over six years (2016-21), was revised at the end of last season after he led Illinois to four wins, his most in three seasons.
The new deal added two years (2022-23) and reduced his buyout in the final years of the contract. The buyouts also remain the same for 2019 ($4 million) and 2020 ($2 million), plus any remaining portion of his salary for that contract year, before dropping to a flat of $1 million dollars in both 2021 and 2022.
Other Perks
Miscellaneous perks: $50,000 for 10% increase in year-over-year paid attendance; spouse can ride on charter team flights
Buyout if coach leaves for another coaching job: $6,000,000 before 1/31/18; $5,500,000 before 1/31/19; $5,000,000 before 1/31/20; $4,500,000 before 1/31/21.
Lovie Smith extension with Illinois
The Illini re-upped Lovie Smith for two more years, which keeps him under contract through 2023. The move is a bit of a surprise considering the former Bears coach is 9-27 since taking over the Illini. This season the Illini went 4-8, which was his best record. Given Smith’s record, Illinois AD Josh Whitman explained that continuity and a young roster are reasons to keep Smith in charge.
“This extension demonstrates my belief in Lovie Smith, his staff, and the plan they have for the future success of Illinois Football,” Whitman said in Illinois’ press release on the extension. “I have studied our program extensively, and I see steady progress, both in the development of our current players and the talent we are adding to our roster.
To date, we have remained one of the youngest teams in college football, with only nine seniors and nearly 80 freshmen and sophomores. As our players grow in strength, skill, and experience, more wins will follow.
“We recognize that our work is far from finished, with improvement needed in every phase of our program’s development, but our plan is sound and our resolve is stronger than ever,” Whitman continued.
“As I have said on many occasions, stability and continuity are key to building a foundation that will yield long-term success.” The thing about the Lovie Smith extension is that we don’t know if it changes the buyout (currently $12 million). If it doesn’t, then it’s no big deal and is just for recruiting. Though he will get a $1 million retention bonus on Jan. 1.
Lovie Smith Award
NFL Coach of the Year Award (AP, PFW, 2005)
Lovie Smith Coaching
College assistant coach (1983–1995)
In 1983, Smith began coaching linebackers on the college level, first at his alma mater the University of Tulsa (1983–86), and then at the University of Wisconsin–Madison (1987), Arizona State University (1988–91), and the University of Kentucky (1992). He also served as defensive backs coach at the University of Tennessee (1993–94), and Ohio State University (1995).
NFL assistant coach (1996–2003)
He began his NFL coaching career as a linebacker coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Under the guidance of Tony Dungy, Smith helped the development of the Tampa 2 defense. Smith was hired as the defensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams under head coach Mike Martz after spending five years with the Buccaneers.
Smith improved the Rams defense while he was still in St. Louis and which some of them went off from giving up a worst league 29.4 points per game in 2000 the average of 17.1 points in 2001.
In 2001, the Rams won the NFC Championship and they advanced to Super Bowl XXXVI. The team ultimately lost to the New England Patriots in one of the biggest Super Bowl upsets of all time.
Tampa Bay (2014–2015)
Smith was interviewed by the Houston Texans for the head coach job on December 16, 2013. He was also reported to be in the first interview with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Detroit Lions. Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reported that Smith would be the head coach of Tampa Bay Buccaneers on January 1, 2014, to replace Greg Schiano.
It was confirmed the next day by the team. He had also signed a five-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On Monday, January 7, 2014, he was formally introduced as the 10th head coach in franchise history. In a stint talk with Buccaneers, he said: “We did lay a foundation for Tampa Bay Buccaneer football, on a certain brand of football that you expected from us.
And that would be relentless, if you played hard, physical, but there was a brand of football that you got from us each week at Raymond James Stadium. It was therefore hard for opponents to come in and win.” Smith was fired by the Buccaneers after posting a record of 8-24 in his two years on January 6, 2016, including the 6–10 record of the 2015 season.
University of Illinois (2016–present)
On March 7, 2016, Smith was named the head coach for the University of Illinois, agreeing to a contract paying $21 million over six years. In the 48 hours following the announcement of the Smith hire, the university sold over 2000 new season tickets and more than 400 new student season tickets.
When Smith’s contract was approved by the university’s Board of Trustees at their September 2016 meeting, $2 million of the salary was moved from the last two years of the contract and made payable in earlier years. Additionally, the contract provided for up to $8 million in performance bonuses.
On October 19, 2019, the Fighting Illini had their most significant win since Smith took over as head coach with a 24–23 upset over then #6 Wisconsin. In 2019, Smith led the Fighting Illini to a 6–6 regular-season record and to their first bowl game since 2014.
Lovie Smith Chicago Bears
Smith was hired as head coach in 2004 by the Chicago Bears following the dismissal of Dick Jauron. Smith, upon arriving in Chicago, stated that he had three goals: to beat the Green Bay Packers; win the NFC North and win a Super Bowl.
Lovie Smith struggled during his first season with the Chicago Bears, as the installation of new offensive and defensive systems and a series of injuries, including a season-ending knee injury to starting quarterback Rex Grossman, contributed to a 5–11 record. Kyle Orton was Grossman’s backup.
The Bears’ defense saw some major improvement, rising from 22nd in 2003 to 13th in 2004 despite their poor offense. In the 2005 season, Smith earned national recognition owing to the Bears’ dramatic turnaround. He then won the Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year Award in 2015.
The Bears played the Carolina Panthers, with a fully healed Rex Grossman as quarterback after returning to the field following their first-round bye. Both the Chicago Bears’ offense and defense struggled to keep up with the Panthers but they lost, 29–21.
The Bears started the 2012 season on a promising note with a 7–1 record. The team, however, lost five of their next eight games. The Bears finished the season with a 10–6 record but missed the playoffs for the fifth time in six years. Smith was fired as head coach of the Chicago Bears on December 31, 2012.
Smith departed the Bears with nine years of service, three playoff appearances, one Coach of the Year award, and one Super Bowl appearance. Smith coached the Bears from 2004-2012 and had an 81-63 record in his tenure, including taking the team to a Super Bowl. He is the only Bears coach to have a winning record in his tenure since Mike Ditka left after the 1992 season.
Lovie Smith Coaching career (HC unless noted)
- 1980 Big Sandy HS (TX) (DC)
- 1981–1982 Cascia Hall Prep (OK) (ADB/WR)
- 1983–1986 Tulsa (LB)
- 1987 Wisconsin (LB)
- 1988–1991 Arizona State (LB)
- 1992 Kentucky (LB)
- 1993–1994 Tennessee (DB)
- 1995 Ohio State (DB)
- 1996–2000 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (LB)
- 2001–2003 St. Louis Rams (DC)
- 2004–2012 Chicago Bears
- 2014–2015 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- 2016–present Illinois
Lovie Smith Fired
He became the University of Illinois defensive coordinator, taking on the dual roles following Hardy Nickerson’s resignation. However, following Illini’s 34-31 defeat at the hands of the Eastern Michigan Eagles on September 14, 2019, the Illini surrendered 480 yards and 23 first downs, and he fired himself.
Lovie Smith Beard
He has a well-kept white beard which has become a sensation. He has a bald head which is clean-shaven but that changed his arrival for the Big Ten Media Day with a much longer beard on July 18, 2019. His beard became an instant internet sensation and was momentarily the number one trending topic on Twitter.
Mikal Smith, son of Lovie Smith, arrested for sex trafficking
Mikal Smith, who coached together with his father, Lovie Smit, with the Bucs and Chicago Bears, faces multiple charges related to sex trafficking and operating a prostitution ring. According to an indictment issued August 24, by the Arizona State Grand Jury, Mikal Smith faces charges including conspiracy, illegally conducting an enterprise, money laundering, pandering, threatening or intimidating, and receiving earnings of a prostitute.
Mikal and co-defendant Aprel Rasmussen are accused of operating a prostitution ring around Phoenix and its suburbs from December 1, 2018 – September 19, 2019. Mikal and Rasmussen are accused of encouraging a victim to engage in prostitution. Mikal is accused of encouraging Rasmussen to do the same and of threatening her and another victim.
Mikal was released Thursday on a $100,000 bond. His arraignment is scheduled for September 10. Mikal played college football at Arizona for two seasons and transferred to earn his degree from Carthage College in Wisconsin. He joined his father on the Bears staff as defensive quality control coach in 2010 and moved up to nickelbacks coach in 2012.
Lovie Smith coached the Bears from 2004 – 2012, leading the team to a Super Bowl appears after the 2006 season. He coached the Bucs from from 2014 – 2015, then took as Illinois head coach in March 2016. After the Bears fired his father, Mikal Smith worked for the Dalls Cowboys as a nickelbacks coach in 2013. He then joined his dad for two seasons with the Bucs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lovie Smith
Who is Lovie Smith?
Lovie Smith is a well-known American football coach who works as the head coach of the University of Illinois at Urban Champaign Fighting Illini football team.
How old is Lovie Smith?
Lovie is 62 years old as of 2020, he was born on May 8, 1958, in Gladewater, Texas, United States. He celebrates his birthday on May 8 every year and his birth sign is Taurus.
How tall is Lovie Smith?
Lovie stands at a height of 5 feet 11 inches (1.8 m) and Weighs 84 kg (184 Ibs).
Is Lovie Smith married?
Lovie Smith is happily married to his beautiful partner, MaryAnne. The couple has been together since 1980.
How much is Lovie Smith worth?
Lovie has an approximate net worth of $10 million dollars. This amount has been accrued from his leading roles in the sporting industry.
Where does Lovie Smith live?
He lives in Tampa Florida U.S.A
Is Lovie Smith dead or alive?
Lovie is alive and in good health. There have been no reports of him being sick or having any health-related issues.
Where is Lovie Smith now?
Smith is in Illinois Fighting Illini football.
Did Lovie Smith win a Superbowl?
Smith has been to the Super Bowl twice; first with the St. Louis Rams when he was their defensive coordinator and with the Bears in 2006 as their head coach.
Who has Lovie Smith coached for?
The Chicago Bears, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the University of Illinois.
Lovie Smith Social Media Contacts
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