Lake Forest, Ill. ? Now that he’s turned around the St. Louis Rams’ defense, Lovie Smith is taking on the Chicago Bears. Smith was hired Wednesday as the Bears’ head coach, agreeing to a four-year deal. He replaces Dick Jauron, fired Dec. 29.

Smith will be introduced at a news conference today. He was in St. Louis Wednesday and not available for comment.

“There’s a position right for everyone,” he said Tuesday when he came to Halas Hall for his second interview. “And I’m hoping this position is what is right for me.”

The Bears have had just one winning season in the last eight, and haven’t won a playoff game since 1995. Smith will be the team’s third coach in six years — fourth if you count that botched attempt to hire Dave McGinnis in 1999.