The former Chicago Bears NFL football coach Lovie Smith has taken over as head coach of the struggling Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a five-year contract.
Smith, who was linebackers coach at Tampa Bay from 1996 to 2000 as part of Tony Dungy's initial staff, replaces Greg Schiano, who was fired by the club at the start of ther week.
Smith lead the Bears to three division titles and the Super Bowl in 2006 when they were beaten by the Indianapolis Colts.
He was sacked by Chicago in December 2012 after the team ended the season with a 10-6 record but missed the playoffs for a fifth time in six years.
