Texans poised to hire Smith as DC

The Texans are working to finalize a deal with former Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Illinois coach Lovie Smith to be the Texans’ new defensive coordinator, league sources said.

Smith, 62, interviewed in Houston on Wednesday, the same day the Texans hired David Culley as head coach.

A former all-state linebacker and defensive end at Big Sandy, Smith went 89-87 overall as a head coach with the Buccaneers and Bears.

The Texans also have hired Pep Hamilton as quarterbacks coach and retained Tim Kelly as offensive coordinator along with tight ends coach Will Lawing, sources said.