NFL.com reporting it first.
Tough decision I bet as the Bears did go 10-6 but miss the playoffs.
EDIT: There are a good amount of MGo-Bears fans, so I think it may be appropriate to have a seperate thread.
rundown of Michigan's riser
OT: Chicago Bears fire Lovie Smith
December 31st, 2012 at 12:08 PM
#1
OT: Chicago Bears fire Lovie Smith
December 31st, 2012 at 12:12 PM | 
Lions next?
Lions next?
December 31st, 2012 at 12:57 PM |
Because paying him and a new
Because paying him and a new
Because paying him and a new head coach would cut into their profits?
Michigan Resurgent? Michigan Resurgent!
The beatings will continue until the uniforms improve!
December 31st, 2012 at 2:58 PM |
Because despite having at
Because despite having at
Because despite having at least the second most talented team in the division the past few years, he has failed to make the playoffs since 2010, and has only make the playoffs once in over half a decade.
Schwartz has taken the absolute worst franchise in the league, coming off an 0-16 season to the playoffs with 3 years. This year was an obvious disappointment, but the Lions have been ahead of schedule under his watch.
So, in short, different expectations.
HOKEAMANIA RUNNIN' WILD
Formerly, TheLastProphet
December 31st, 2012 at 3:08 PM |
Yep. People forget that this team had the worst
Yep. People forget that this team had the worst
roster in the NFL when he took over. Until this year the Lions were making progress every year.
"The Ruhr will not be subjected to a single bomb. If an enemy bomber reaches the Ruhr, my name is not Hermann Göring: you can call me Urban Meyer!"
December 31st, 2012 at 3:31 PM |
When he took over the Lions
When he took over the Lions
When he took over the Lions they were devoid of ANY talent (outside of Calvin). Just go back and look at the absolute non-entities that littered the Lions' 08 roster.
Daunte motherfucking Culpepper started 5 games for the Lions. Dan Orlovsky started 7 games and played in 10.
Rudi Johnson started the year off as our starting running back. For the love of god people, Rudi Johnson. He was replaced by Kevin Smith.
As a offense we had more interceptions than passing TDs, and over 3 times as many fumbles as rushing TDs.
Our second leading receiver was Shaun McDonald(!). Our 3rd wideout was Mike Furrey, oh, you know, the defensive back.
All I'll say about the defense is that they were so horrible, 4 years later and there is only one meaningful contributor from that team still playing (Cliff Avril).
A lot of Lions fan remark, "All of these other teams can completely turn things around in a year. Just look at the Colts or X team that went from last to first, why can't the Lions do that?" My response is, "OK, but the Colts' roster wasn't an absolute tire fire just a few years ago. We are talking about a franchise that was literally, and I mean literally in every sense of the word, devoid of talent."
Edit: You know what? I'm going to say more about that defense.
The starting members of the DLine were:
Jared DeVries
Chartric Darby
Cory Redding
DeWayne White
The starting members of the line backing corps were:
Ryan Nece
Paris Lennon
Ernie Sims
The starting defensive backs were:
Brian Kelly
Leigh Bodden
Daniel Bullocks
Kalvin Pearson
It's going to take longer than 4 years to replace that level of awfulness, and that's just the defense.
HOKEAMANIA RUNNIN' WILD
Formerly, TheLastProphet
December 31st, 2012 at 12:14 PM |
I'll take Lovie
I'll take Lovie
I'll take Lovie and a 10-6 record.
December 31st, 2012 at 12:14 PM |
I'll take Lovie
I'll take Lovie
I'll take Lovie and a 10-6 record.
December 31st, 2012 at 12:17 PM |
I am a Bears fan, but Lovie
I am a Bears fan, but Lovie
I am a Bears fan, but Lovie to Detroit makes sense. He will could shore up the D, and bring class to the locker room. Perfect fit for the Lions...if he brings in a decent OC.
“I am going to treat you all the same. Like Dogs.”
December 31st, 2012 at 12:19 PM |
10-6 is a pretty damn good
10-6 is a pretty damn good
10-6 is a pretty damn good season in the NFL. Expectations can be way too high for teams that have been spoiled with success (although maybe my expectations are just so low as a result of being a Lions fan?). I remember when people were calling for Tom Coughlin's head in New York before he won 2 super bowls.
December 31st, 2012 at 12:24 PM |
Sad ending to a sad season...
Sad ending to a sad season...
No more Lovie, and no Super Bowl Shuffle for us :-(
I LOVE MICHIGAN
December 31st, 2012 at 12:39 PM |
10-6 and gets fired?
10-6 and gets fired?
In Detroit he'd be riding into town on a donkey with people laying palm branches at his feet.
December 31st, 2012 at 6:31 PM |
And
And
You know how it turned out for the most well known guy who had that done, right?
December 31st, 2012 at 12:40 PM |
Not 10-6. 7-1 followed by
Not 10-6. 7-1 followed by
Not 10-6. 7-1 followed by 3-5. The Bears went from having a comanding lead in the North to missing the playoffs, with two more losses to the Packers who have just owned them during Lovie's tenure. As a Bears fan, I can't say I'm sorry to see him go.
That said, the Bears were a lot like Michigan this year, in that they both had terrible interior line play that all but killed a formerly productive running game, and turned their QB into a heave and pray river boat gambler type who was just as likely to throw a pick as a big play pass. Forte couldn't find any holes just like Toussaint couldn't find any holes. The Bears became one dimensional as a result (Culter to Marshall), and when the unsustainable tunrover margin afforded by the D failed, so did the Bears. Firing Lovie won't fix that, but it can't make it any worse.
December 31st, 2012 at 12:59 PM |
fixating on 7-1
fixating on 7-1
everyone seems to think the "collapse" down the stretch was a huge suprise. Their schedule before the season started was so predictable. The only games that went opposite of expected were the loss to SEA and game 16 @ DET.
What if they were 3-5 and then went 7-1? 10-6 is 10-6. They Bears are who we thought they were!!!
All-City '66, scored 4 TDs in one game!
December 31st, 2012 at 1:34 PM |
And missing the playoffs is
And missing the playoffs is
And missing the playoffs is missing the playoffs. Hell, I'd rather have Detroit's record if they were going to miss the playoffs so they could up their draft stock high enough to take Lewan.
December 31st, 2012 at 6:12 PM |
Lower picks =/= better draft
Lower picks =/= better draft
going higher in the draft means nothing if you can't scout or develop players.
I bet SF is far happier with Alex Smith at #1 overall instead of A.Rodgers. And once that 1st round is over, your draft spot really becomes irrelevant since everyone has had a shot at every player available. That's where you really turn your team around if you can draft guys like L.Briggs, F.Gore, L.Tillman, T.Brady, J.Tuck, etc.
All-City '66, scored 4 TDs in one game!
December 31st, 2012 at 1:40 PM |
\double post
\double post
crap.
December 31st, 2012 at 1:46 PM |
Haven't the Bears
Haven't the Bears
Had a hell of a lot of injuries over that time too?
"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk
December 31st, 2012 at 12:41 PM |
Lovie to Detroit please!
Lovie to Detroit please!
Lovie to Detroit please!
“When your team is winning, be ready to be tough, because winning can make you soft. On the other hand, when your team is losing, stick by them. Keep believing” - Bo Schembechler
December 31st, 2012 at 12:52 PM |
10-6 isn't the problem. It's
10-6 isn't the problem. It's
10-6 isn't the problem. It's missing the playoffs 5 of the last 6 seasons and not being able to field an offense that ranks in the middle of the league for your entire tenure. His highest rated offense was 15th in the league, the year they made the Super Bowl. When they brought in a new GM last year It was just a matter of when not if he will get fired. Choking from a 7-1 start to missing the playoffs made it an easy decision.
I poop excellence
December 31st, 2012 at 1:52 PM |
Well said, I said some of
Well said, I said some of
Well said, I said some of this is the other thread about coaching fires. It's time for his to go, he needs a new place to coach and we need a new coach. Long time in the making.
December 31st, 2012 at 2:03 PM |
Ok.....who?
Ok.....who?
Everyone who is glad he's gone....who's out there that will take the job that is better?
"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk
December 31st, 2012 at 2:09 PM |
I can't answer that right now
I can't answer that right now
I can't answer that right now but Emery (new gm) was made to keep Lovie when he was fired. So this is a chance for Emery to get his guy in. We will hear a lot of rumors about ollege coaches and guys like Gruden, Reid, and others (Don't be surprised to see someone say Cowher, won't happen.) It all depends on what type of coach Emery wants, a young Cord, a good college coach, or a veteran proven HC.
December 31st, 2012 at 4:40 PM |
I give you credit for admitting it.
I give you credit for admitting it.
And it's not your job, it's his. But you're either getting better or you're getting worse, and just making a change doesn't guarantee moving in the right direction.
If Gruden doesn't take a job this year with so many openings he never will. Reid might be an upgrade if he has anything left. Everyone else is just rolling the dice. Though if I were Saban and thinking of moving this would probably be the one I'm interested in with that defense, and a decent QB. One thing going for Chicago has is it's probably the best opening. Though you're not going to have a lot of control so that might scare off a big name. Last year's draft wouldn't convince me to put myself in someone else's hands.
"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk
December 31st, 2012 at 5:05 PM |
You are right on that. Even
You are right on that. Even
You are right on that. Even though I'm happy that Lovie is leaving I realize he is a hell of a coach. However, every coach has their faults and Lovie's was a bad one. Lovie became to loyal to his players and coaches and it got in the way of improving the team as he would always say our players/coaches are good enough we don't need to add anyone. If it wasn't for this part of him I really think he could have done a 100x's better than what he did.
December 31st, 2012 at 4:18 PM |
^^This
^^This
I am a Bears fan and I am certainly think that the Bears underachieved this year. HOWEVA, who is Chicago going to bring in that is better? Be careful what you wish for.
"But in the tire fire that was last year's secondary he showed a little spark." - Brian Cook
December 31st, 2012 at 1:11 PM |
As a Packers fan (sorry
As a Packers fan (sorry
As a Packers fan (sorry everyone) I always liked Lovie Smith. He ran the Bears with class, and I felt bad that he was seemingly always on the hot seat while in Chicago. He's a good coach, and he'll find another head coaching job in the NFL.
December 31st, 2012 at 6:08 PM |
As a fellow Packers fan, I'd
As a fellow Packers fan, I'd
As a fellow Packers fan, I'd fire Dom Capers tomorrow if we could get Lovie as DC. I don't know if he'd take the job, but hey, a man can dream.
"I just hope Tressel doesn't fire me"
-Gordon Gee
December 31st, 2012 at 2:31 PM |
Yes!!!!
Yes!!!!
Yes!! Yes!!!
After going 7-1, not making the playoffs was a kick I the under carriage. He flat out lost the team and deserves the axe.
Plus, after getting a new GM last year, we knew major changes were on their way.
December 31st, 2012 at 2:39 PM |
I'm a Bears fan, and I think
I'm a Bears fan, and I think
I'm a Bears fan, and I think Lovie was a great guy and a good face for the organization. That being said, I don't think he was capable of winning a Super Bowl. In the end, he was basically a poodle beater. The majority of his wins were against bad/young QBs and overall bad teams. He feasted on turnovers against bad QBs, which skewed his overall numbers. The Bears weren't really competitive with upper echelon teams. This year alone they faced four of the six NFC playoff teams and went 1-5 against them, with their only win coming against the 6th seed Vikings who they also lost to (Packers beat the Bears twice). In the end, it was Lovie's inability to assemble a competent staff that cost him his job. He had a very odd relationship with coordinators which included firing his DC (Rivera) after going to the Super Bowl, promoting the OL Coach Tice to OC despite never calling plays in his past, taking over as DC himself, hiring Mike Martz to coach a precision offense on a grass field with a gunslinger QB & inept Oline, and hiring his friend Bob Babich to fail miserably as DC. It would be great to be able to keep Lovie on the staff as the DC, but unfortunately that is not how things work. In the NFL you need an offense coach or a great offensive coordinator. The game and the rules favor offense. The success the Patriots & Saints have had with subpar defense are proof of that. Lovie needed a top 15 offense to complement his defense & special teams in order to compete for Championships ... unfortunately he couldn't assemble a staff that could produce those results.
December 31st, 2012 at 3:00 PM |
Lovie, vs team's with winning
Lovie, vs team's with winning
Lovie, vs team's with winning records, was 19-40. He was also loyal too much. He would consitently say "WR's are good enough we don't need to add anyone" "Our OL is fine, we just need another year" "Jamarcus Webb has all the potential in world he will be good" "Kellen Davis is a great pass catcher" "Mike Tice can call plays". All of those Lovie has said at some point even though not a single one is true. Before BMarsh our WR core was pathetic, same for the OL. Webb can't block a damn brick wall and Davis can't catch even if it was handed to him.
December 31st, 2012 at 4:44 PM |
I couldn't agree more. Lovie
I couldn't agree more. Lovie
I couldn't agree more. Lovie could coach a very fundamental and opportunistic defense, but that is all he could do. His personnel decisions were terrible, his ability to assemble a staff was terrible, and his in game coaching decisions were terrible. He composed himself well and was very respectable, but he could not beat good teams often enough to win championships. Good guy, good defensive coach, bad head coach.
December 31st, 2012 at 5:27 PM |
Plus, he lacked passion and
Plus, he lacked passion and
Plus, he lacked passion and intensity and I think the Bears need some Ditka-esque fire.
December 31st, 2012 at 6:48 PM |
Bears so called "Great Start"
Bears so called "Great Start"
The Bears started off 7-1, but only 1 win was against a playoff team. That just happened to be At Home against the Colts in Andrew Luck's first game. Furtermore, the Bears only beat one other playoff team the rest of the year (1-1 vs. Minnesota). In the end, Lovie's "biggest" wins were against 2 wild card teams, a 5th and 6th seed -- one of which ended up splitting the season series and taking the final playoff spot from the Bears.
Teams Lovie Beat 2 teams over.500 :
- Colts (11-5)
- Rams (7-8-1)
- Cowboys (8-8)
- Jaguars (2-14)
- Lions (4-12) [twice]
- Panthers (7-9)
- Titans (6-10)
- Vikings (10-6)
- Cardinals (5-10)
Farewell Lovie Lee "Poodle Killer" Smith. Good luck to you.
December 31st, 2012 at 9:41 PM |
Lovie is probably
Lovie is probably
a better coach than most will say. Really, they haven't had a ton of talent in Chicago, they've just played very good D, and their D has scored a lot of points for them. They haven't had a QB forever, and have done some stupid things with running backs (ie: trading Jones) and receivers (Hester). If it weren't for the Lions discovering unbelievable ways to commit the NFL's most ridiculous rules violations, they would have beaten the Bears at least 2 - 3 more times in the last 3 years. Even when the Bears went to the Super Bowl against Indy a number of years ago, they were very lucky to even make the playoffs. Their D scored so many points and they were very lucky to win 4 or 5 games early in that season that it was literally a miracle for them to get as far as they did. Then it really showed it ugly head in the Super Bowl as they had their butts handed to them by Indy. Lovie is a good man and a good coach. Chicago just has nothing else and always thinks their football team should be in the Super Bowl.
If there's an exceptionalism to Michigan—the school and the sports—it's a focus on being exceptional over whether we appear to be so. MGOBLOG
If true, how can the Ford family justify keeping Schwartz?