Smith was born in Gladewater and raised in Big Sandy, Texas.
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 later Miami Dolphins running back David Overstreet, scored a then-national record 824 points.
Smith began his professional coaching career as a linebacker coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Under the guidance of Tony Dungy, Smith helped develop the Tampa 2 defense. After spending four years with Buccaneers, Smith was hired as the defensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams under head coach Mike Martz. While in St. Louis, Smith improved the Rams defense, that gave up a league-worst 29.4 points per game in 2000 to an average of 17.1 points in 2001. The Rams won the 2001 NFC Championship and 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.
The Chicago Bears hired Smith as head coach in 2004, following the dismissal of Dick Jauron. He struggled during his first season with the 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. Despite their poor offense, the Bears’ defense saw some major improvement, rising from 22nd in 2003 to 13th in 2004.
Smith coached the Bears to a 27-24 victory against the Seattle Seahawks during the 2006 Divisional Playoffs, winning the first playoff game of his career. Later, a 39-14 victory came against the New Orleans Saints at the NFC Championship. Ironically, his good friend and mentor, Tony Dungy would match up against him in the Super Bowl. The Bears lost Super Bowl XLI, 29-17.
Following Chicago's successful season, Smith demanded a pay raise. The lowest-paid coach in the NFL in 2006 at $1.35 million, Smith would have earned $1.45 million in the final season of a four-year contract. After a stalemate in contract negotiations, the Bears signed Smith to a new four-year contract worth twenty-two million dollars.
So obviously, it is not this Lovie Smith laid to rest here, but interestingly enough, you will find Lovie and Dovie Smith markers nearby. A 4 oz. camoed (don't know why it needed camo) ointment jar rests not far away. It is not necessary to lift any of the bricks to find this one. Stay near the tree.
Avoid the use of acronym only logs and cut 'n paste logs. You must sign the log to claim the find. No exceptions, no excuses. Blank logs may be deleted without notice.