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A16 sports
Wednesday 9 February 2022
Smith becomes 1 of 5 minority head coaches with Texans hire

By KRISTIE RIEKEN swer or solution is, but to
AP Sports Writer be a part of that solution,
HOUSTON (AP) — Lovie that's what we can make a
Smith reflected on his past commitment to doing."
in the NFL on Tuesday as he Along with the hiring of
was introduced as the new Smith, the Texans promot-
coach of the Houston Tex- ed Pep Hamilton to offen-
ans, a hire that made him sive coordinator. Hamilton,
one of five minority head who spent last season as
coaches in the NFL. passing game coordinator
"It's not often you get a and quarterbacks coach,
chance to lead three pro- takes over for Tim Kelly, who
fessional football teams," was fired after the season.
he said. "I don't know if Smith announced Tuesday
there's a guy who looks like that he would continue to
me that's had the oppor- call the plays on defense in
tunity to do that. So that's his new role.
pretty special." Smith was 144-81 with the
Smith, who is Black, joins Bears, leading them to the
Pittsburgh's Mike Tomlin, Super Bowl in the 2006 sea-
New York Jets coach Rob- son where they lost to the
ert Saleh, Washington's Ron Colts. He struggled in his
Rivera, and Mike McDan- stint with Tampa Bay, going
iel, who was hired Sunday 2-14 in his first season and
to coach Miami, as the New Houston Texans NFL football team head coach Lovie Smith speaks at an introductory press 6-10 the following year be-
league's only minority head conference, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, at NRG Stadium in Houston. fore being let go.
coaches. Associated Press Now he's at the helm of
The 63-year-old Smith, who head coach." Caserio denied that asser- "There's a problem," Smith a team in the process of
spent last season as Hous- Houston interviewed mul- tion Tuesday. said. "It's obvious that there a complete rebuild after
ton's associate head coach tiple candidates over the "There were conversations is a problem. But what are trading or releasing almost
and defensive coordina- past few weeks, including with Brian after that took you going to do about it? all of its top players in the
tor, previously coached Brian Flores, Hines Ward, place, so that really didn't There's a lot of different talk past couple of years. The
the Chicago Bears for nine Josh McCown and Joe affect the process at all," on how what you should Texans went 4-13 last sea-
seasons and Tampa Bay for Lombardi. Flores, who is he said. Caserio also de- do. But I think it always son in a year when star
two seasons ending in 2015. Black, was fired despite nied reports the team had comes down to action." quarterback Deshaun Wat-
He takes over for Culley, posting winning records in planned to hire McCown, Smith noted that he got his son did not play after a
who is also Black, and was the final two of his three who has no coaching ex- NFL start on the staff of Tony trade request and amid 22
fired after one season. seasons in Miami. perience at any level aside Dungy, who is also African lawsuits alleging sexual ha-
"Coach Smith is one of the Flores sued the NFL, the from volunteering with his American, and said he be- rassment or assault.
most respected figures in Dolphins and two other son's high school team. lieves it's his responsibility to It was the second consecu-
the league," general man- teams last week over al- "There were never plans help other Black coaches tive season when the Tex-
ager Nick Caserio said. "I leged racist hiring practices to hire anybody until we ascend to the NFL's top ans finished with four wins
think a lot of us were able for coaches and general came to an end point," Ca- jobs. Caserio also ad- after winning the AFC South
to see that this year. So, as managers. Flores issued a serio said. dressed the lack of diversity in both 2018 and 2019.
I worked through this and statement through his legal Much of Tuesday's news among NFL head coaches Smith was asked about his
got to the end point, I real- team Monday night that conference was devoted and what he can do to expectations for the up-
ized the best decision and said in part that the Texans to issues of diversity, with change things. coming season after two
the best opportunity for this didn't hire him because of Smith joining Tomlin and "It's about finding solutions," difficult years.
organization to move for- "his decision to stand up McDaniel, who is biracial, he said. "I certainly don't "History tells you can make
ward was with the choice against racial inequality as the league's only Black have all the answers. I can't a quick turnaround," he
of Lovie Smith as the next across the NFL." head coaches. even fathom what that an- said.q

Caitlyn Jenner launches race team in

race series for women

Series for the 2022 season. box for me and is a fusion in 2015, debuted as a
The 72-year-old Jenner of the different aspects professional racing driver
will oversee the day-to- of my career," she said. at the 24 Hours of Day-
day running of her team, "A championship dedi- tona race in 1980 as part
including the driver lineup cated to inspiring young of Jim Busby's team. Jen-
and landing sponsors to girls and giving women ner went on to compete
Caitlyn Jenner speaks during a news conference in the Venice compete in the series that the chance to succeed in professionally in the IMSA
Beach section of Los Angeles, Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021. often runs on Formula One roles throughout what has Camel GT Champion-
Associated Press race weekends. traditionally been a male- ship, as a factory driver for
LONDON (AP) — Caitlyn Jenner, the former Olym- "As a believer in fair com- dominated industry, W Se- Ford Motor Company and
Jenner is off to the races pic champion and reality petition, a lover of motor ries is changing the face of Jack Roush, for the next six
again, launching a team TV personality who had a racing, and a supporter motorsport."Jenner, a 1976 years, making a total of 57
in a single-seater motor failed bid for California of all women in sport from decathlon Olympic gold starts. "As has always been
racing championship for governor, started the Jen- the grassroots to elite medalist who came out the case, I'm in it to win it,"
female drivers. ner Racing team in the W level, W Series ticks every as a transgender woman she said.q