With the Chicago Bears 39-14 win over the New Orleans Saints in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game, Bears Coach Frank “Lovie” Smith became the first African American head football coach to take his team to the NFL Super Bowl.
Raised in Sweetwater, Texas, the 48 year old Smith was given his first professional coaching job in 1996 by Tony Dungy also an African-American who is currently coaching the Indianapolis Colts and could have joined Smith in the Super Bowl game as the opposing coach with a win over the New England Patriots in Sunday’s AFC Championship game. Bet on the Chicago Bears in the Super Bowl at VIP and receive a 40% bonus!
Smith came to the Bears in 2004 after a two year stint as defensive coordinator for the Saint Louis Rams under Mike Martz, and coached the struggling Bears to a 5-11 record. The Bears had a solid defense built around All-Pro linebacker Brian Urlacher but the offense was ineffective. Quarterback Rex Grossman broke his ankle during the 2005 preseason and missed most of the regular season.
Smith and the Bears’ management drew skepticism in April 2006, by trading away their first round pick, and drafting five defensive players. His preseason criticism increased when he named Grossman, who struggled to move the Bears’ offense during the preseason, as the Bears starting quarterback. Nevertheless, Grossman led the Bears’ to seven consecutive victories, but later struggled during the latter portion of the season. Smith stood by Grossman, despite having to endure criticism from many skeptics. The Bears finished the 2006 Chicago Bears season with a 13-3 record, earning the NFC’s top playoff seed. The Bears finished the season with the NFL's second scoring offense, and third overall defense. Smith became the first African American Super Bowl head coach, leading the Bears to Super Bowl XLI by defeating the New Orleans Saints 39-14.
