Just as was predicted by any analyst worth his weight in salt following the firing of head coach Greg Schiano, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have hired former Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith as their next head coach. Smith served as a linebackers assistant for the Bucs under then head coach Tony Dungy from 1996-2000.
Lovie was hired as head coach of the Chicago Bears and amassed a record of 84-66 over nine seasons, which included one Super Bowl appearance. Smith was fired in 2012 after a season in which he led the franchise to a 10-6 season.
"Big congrats to Lovie Smith. Wish him the best of luck in Tampa," Bears linebacker Lance Briggs tweeted Wednesday night. "NFL is better with him in it."
"Congratulations to the Bucs. I think they made a very good choice in hiring Lovie Smith. Now I'm excited about watching the Bucs next year!" Dungy tweeted on Wednesday night.
