Houston Texans coach Lovie Smith sacked after win costs team No. 1 Draft pick

The Houston Texans have found a way to make a dismal season even worse after the team baffled the NFL, showing it couldn’t even lose right.

Houston won when all they had to do was lose. Photo: Getty Images

The Houston Texans have sacked coach Lovie Smith just hours after a wild comeback win over the Indianapolis Colts cost the side the No. 1 draft pick.

Yes, you read that right — the Texans have had such a bad season, the side’s third win of the year was actually a bad thing, handing the Chicago Bears its first No. 1 draft pick since 1947.

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Just a matter of hours after the game, it was reported coach Smith was moved on by the side after his one season in the job.

The knives were out for Smith but after the Texans won two of their last three games and were competitive in four of their last five, he had hoped he’d done enough to earn another chance.

“We understand the totality of the season on what’s going on,” Smith said postgame. “Do I expect to be back? Yes, I expect to be back.”

But Houston general manager Nick Caserio revealed the Texans were moving on, the second straight one-and-done coach for the franchise.

“On behalf of the entire organisation, I would like to thank Lovie Smith for everything he has contributed to our team over the last two seasons as a coach and a leader,” the statement read.

“I’m constantly evaluating our football operation and I believe this is the best decision for us at this time.

“It’s my responsibility to build a comprehensive and competitive program that can sustain success over a long period of time.

“We aren’t there right now, however, with the support of the McNair family and the resources available to us, I’m confident in the direction of our football program moving forward.”

Fans were quick to call out the organisation, calling the team “the embarrassment of the NFL”, “trash” and a “bad decision”.

At least Smith has some support. Photo by Michael Hickey / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

The franchise was already struggling, having finished with just 11 wins from the past three seasons.

The franchise further imploded after the exit of DeShaun Watson to the Cleveland Browns for a bag of draft picks. He was angling for release before the details of his sexual assault allegations came to light.

It comes after the 32-31 win cost the Texans the No. 1 draft pick as a loss would have been enough to secure the prestigious pick.

With 50 seconds remaining on the clock and down 31-24, Houston BQ Davis Mills’ pass went straight through the hands of a Colts defender and into the arms of Jordan Akins in the end zone.

The Texans could have evened it up with the conversion but went for what was a successful two-point conversion.

Smith said he was always going to go for the win.

“So you say, ‘Hey guys … all that you’ve been working for your life, you play to win, forget that. Lose the game on purpose’,” Smith said.

“That will be a hard one to get by. They won’t expect me to say that. I didn’t. What we work on each week, our game plan, has been to win the game. It’s kind of simple as that. That’s what we follow through on the day …

“It’s pretty simple. We play to win the game. It’s kind of simple as that.”

At least the players had something to smile about. Photo by Justin Casterline / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

Losing the top pick is unlikely to stop the franchise from getting a top QB however as Justin Fields is seen as the Bears long-term QB, but they could always trade to a team who does need a QB with CJ Stroud and Bryce Young attractive prospects.

But long suffering Texans fans were quick to slam the organisation.

Arkansas head coach Clint Stoerner tweeted: "The #Texans just cost themselves the #1 pick in the 2023 draft by converting two 4th & longs, one being a Hail Mary for a TD & a 2 point conversion. What, in the hell, did I just watch??”

ESPN’s Mina Kimes wrote: “Lovie Smith knowing he’s prolly gonna be fired and going for two there is iconic”.

Houston Texans, what are you doing?!

The one time you had to lose, you win?? AND just cost yourself the #1 pick in the process. The Texans can’t even lose right! SMH. pic.twitter.com/mc7FAtgrAp

— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) January 8, 2023

Just looked it up and the Texans were the only team with two 4th-and-10 conversions in the same game this year... and they did them on the same drive in the fourth quarter of Week 18 to ensure they didn't get the No. 1 pick

— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) January 8, 2023

Originally published as Houston Texans coach Lovie Smith sacked after win costs team No. 1 Draft pick