Texans Hire Former Bears And Illini Coach Lovie Smith As Defensive Coordinator
Smith, who will also hold the title of associate head coach, coached at Illinois from 2016 until he was fired in December. He coached the Bears from 2004-12.
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Smith, who will also hold the title of associate head coach, coached at Illinois from 2016 until he was fired in December. He coached the Bears from 2004-12.
The Houston Texans have hired former Bears and Illini coach Lovie Smith as defensive coordinator, one of many new additions to first-year coach David Culley's staff.
Bret Bielema, who led Wisconsin to three Rose Bowls before a disappointing run at Arkansas, is returning to the Big Ten and his home state to coach Illinois.
After five seasons, University of Illinois football Head Coach Lovie Smith has been relieved of his duties, Director of Athletics Josh Whitman announced Sunday.
COVID-19 left the Illini scrambling on Saturday before they went on to fall to Purdue with a decimated lineup.
"Friday night's game … was a disappointing game," Smith said. "Normally, you get to the first game and truly see where you are and as I said we are not as far along as I hoped we'd be. But we still have time to get better. We watched the video with our team and now we're moving on to Purdue."
Mikal Smith, the son of Illini football coach and former Chicago Bears Head Lovie Smith, is facing sex trafficking and money laundering charges.
Coach Lovie Smith is a candidate to present Urlacher.
Smith lauded Urlacher for his talents, intelligence and humble demeanor as a star linebacker for his Bears.
Hester finishes with an NFL record of 20 career return touchdowns, including 19 with the Bears.
Dudek set school freshman records with 1,038 receiving yards and 76 catches in 2014.
Smith coached Mike Glennon in Tampa Bay and praised his leadership.
Coach Lovie Smith on Wednesday dismissed freshman tight end Zarrian Holcombe and offensive linemen Darta Lee and Howard Watkins.
The Illini are looking to improve on a 3-9 mark in Smith's debut season.
"Devin Hester is a Hall of Famer," Smith says. "I can't wait to go and watch him get inducted."
The Bears won the NFC Championship 10 years ago Saturday.
Smith's Illini are off to a 1-4 start.
They approved initial terms for Smith after he was hired in March that were backloaded to pay him $10 million in salary over his final two years
Smith's best Chicago Bears defenses were creators of chaos — picking off passes, forcing fumbles and scoring points.
Smith insists that coaching college football at Illinois hasn't been much different than what he grew accustomed to as coach of the Bears and Buccaneers.
There's a more capable face leading the Illinois program now.
A new audio feature with Chris Emma, debuting with Lovie Smith, Danny Trevathan and White Sox Dave.
Smith will be paid a $1 million bonus if he remains at Illinois for three seasons and again if he stays all six seasons.
Smith recruited McGee to Arizona State in the early 1990s.
Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman isn't messing around anymore.
From Chicago's Pope to hot dog giveaways, here's a look back at some of the moments in 2025 that could only happen in Chicago.
Burglars left with $10,000 from a mini mart in Chicago's North Center neighborhood early Thursday morning.
Firefighters responded to a building fire in West Englewood early on Christmas Day.
In his first Christmas homily, Pope Leo lamented conditions for Palestinians in Gaza and urged Ukraine and Russia to engage in direct talks to end their wr.
Most major retail stores and grocery chains are closed on Christmas Day, with some exceptions.
Pope Leo XIV has revealed he privately urged Gov. JB Pritzker not to sign a bill legalizing medical assistance in dying in Illinois.
President Trump invoked a law called Title 10 to bring members of the Illinois National Guard under federal service over the objections of state and local leaders.
A host of new laws in Illinois will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. From gun safety to rogue towers, protection from squatters, medical assistance in dying, protections for immigrants and more, here are some of the most notable changes in the new year.
Mayor Brandon Johnson on Tuesday declined to veto a $16.6 billion spending plan passed by his rivals on the City Council, allowing it to go into effect without his signature.
The U.S. Department of Justice is suing Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul over a state law restricting immigration arrests.
A new report shines a light on electricity shortages that Illinois could face in less than 10 years.
With less than two weeks until Christmas, if you're sending gifts to people far from home, the deadlines to get them there on time are fast approaching.
A condo owner in Country Club Hills says he's forced to sell his home after his condo association failed to reimburse him for repairs to his leaking roof. Edward Hadnott's condo has sat empty since a major roof leak in 2022.
The U.S. stopped minting pennies this week, and some groups have issued a warning about the headaches that can create for some businesses and consumers.
Why is one school in the west Chicago suburb of Lisle paying a water bill three times higher than another? The answer has to do with a private utility company.
Millions of people with an Affordable Care Act health plan face a massive jump in premiums next year — this chart shows just how much.
It's the holiday season, which means it's the most common time of year for norovirus to spread. Here's what you need to know about this winter stomach bug.
A study conducted in part by Chicago's Northwestern Medicine found that tanning beds not only triple the risk of melanoma, but can also damage DNA across nearly the whole skin surface.
An investigation into the case of a Michigan man who contracted rabies after an organ transplant provided more details on the infection's origin.
The newest measles vaccination numbers released by Chicago Public Schools shows immunizations are finally moving in the right direction.
The Chicago Bears are expanding their search for a new stadium to Northwest Indiana, even though they already own land in Arlington Heights and have also proposed a new lakefront stadium in Chicago.
A Culver's is coming to Chicago's South Loop, a real estate broker has confirmed.
A new vision for passenger rail is on track in southeastern Wisconsin. The MARK Passenger Rail Commission held its inaugural meeting on December 5, 2025, at Racine City Hall.
U.S. Steel says it'll resume making steel slabs at its Granite City Works plant in Illinois amid strengthening demand.
Traffic at O'Hare International Airport is growing faster than expected, and this has Chicago city leaders wanting to make big changes to future construction plans at the airport.
The singer said an MRI showed a cancerous spot on one of his lungs after he recovered from a lengthy bout of bronchitis.
James Ransone, the actor who played Ziggy Sobotka in the HBO series "The Wire" and appeared in many other TV shows and movies, has died.
Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre is hosting "The Phantom of the Opera," and staff offered a firsthand look at the iconic chandelier inside the theater this week.
The special features interviews with Kathy Bates, Annette Bening, Albert Brooks, Michael Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland, Jerry O'Connell and Mandy Patinkin.
The Oscars ceremony is moving to YouTube starting in 2029, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Wednesday.
Chicago police are searching for a missing teenager. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.
Meteorologist Carl Lam has the extended forecast.
Burglars left with $10,000 from a mini mart in Chicago's North Center neighborhood early Thursday morning.
Firefighters responded to a building fire in West Englewood early on Christmas Day.
Chicagoans are gathering for Christmas services from cathedrals to the Cook County Jail.
Burglars left with $10,000 from a mini mart in Chicago's North Center neighborhood early Thursday morning.
Firefighters responded to a building fire in West Englewood early on Christmas Day.
Most major retail stores and grocery chains are closed on Christmas Day, with some exceptions.
Pope Leo addressed the crowd standing in the cold and rain at Saint Peter's Square ahead of celebrating the first Christmas mass of his papacy.
From Chicago's Pope to hot dog giveaways, here's a look back at some of the moments in 2025 that could only happen in Chicago.
Cameras not working, video evidence missed by police and a psychic that leads a hit and run victim's son to a clue that changes the case
Some Chicago area hospitals are at risk of significant flooding both in and around the buildings, according to new KFF Health News/Fathom models.
Lawmakers in Springfield are looking to address the high water bills being reported in some suburbs from customers of Illinois American Water.
Electric bills in the Chicago area could go up as much as $70 in the next three years because of data centers, according to the Citizens Utility Board.
Advocates and legislators are seeking solutions and and accountability for a pattern of Chicago police arresting Black gun owners on firearms charges despite valid FOID and CCL licenses.
As the 11-4 Chicago Bears prepare for their Sunday night matchup with the 11-4 San Francisco 49ers, one player earned an extra Christmas present from the league thanks to his impressive performance against the Green Bay Packers.
Travis Konecny scored and added his 300th career assist, leading the Philadelphia Flyers past the Blackhawks 3-1 and handing depleted Chicago its sixth straight loss.
The Bulls trailed 117-107 but closed the game on a 19-6 run.
Three Chicago Bears players have been named to the 2026 NFC Pro Bowl roster: safety Kevin Byard III, center Drew Dalman, and left guard Joe Thuney.
Murakami, or "Mune" as he likes to be called, was introduced on Monday on the South Side after signing a two-year, $34-million contract.
A woman was released on electronic monitoring Wednesday after authorities said she drove drunk and caused a crash that injured a family of four in Lombard, Illinois.
Multiple cars were broken into this week in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood.
Four women have been charged with leading police on a high-speed chase after stealing from a retail store in the west Chicago suburb of Villa Park.
A woman has been charged with attacking four people at a CTA bus stop in the Lawndale neighborhood, including a woman she allegedly slashed with a broken beer bottle after threatening that woman's mother.
Three teens have been charged with sexually assaulting a classmate this past summer at a graduation party for St. Viator High School students.
