Texans Hire Bill O'Brien as Head Coach

[Keith]

Being reported now...happy new year!

[chuck]

Being reported now...happy new year!

Well! Happy 2014, everyone.

[Joshua]

I like it hope it works out

[WMH]

@AdamSchefter: Filed to ESPN from me and @mortreport: Bill O'Brien has reached agreement to become the new head coach of the Houston Texans, per sources.

[chuck]

I like it hope it works out

Who the hell knows how this will turn out but at least it appears that he offers a very different personality to the two prior coaches and that can't be bad. Judging from what has been said and written he'll stress intelligence and accountability, two things that the Texans have not enjoyed in over-abundance.

[BigBull]

I just hope O'Brien makes good choices for oc and dc.

[Keith]

Interesting local article on O'Brien and an interaction between him and a reporter a few weeks ago. O'Brien said right around the same time the Texans lost a second time to the Jags he would be gone from PSU in a month.

I grew to like the guy over two years because his personality is one I can understand. Like me, he tends toward boil-overs with multiple and often comical strings of F-bombs. While some people don’t understand that type of behavior, I think such venting is healthy as long as it doesn’t verbally abuse anyone. And O’Brien wasn’t venting at me, just to me.

Some of his frustrations revolved around what he saw as the lack of leadership at Penn State and his desire simply to fulfill his job description as the football coach, not university figurehead. ...

He’s made no secret that the NFL is his destination. He adores the pro game, the purity of it, without the university politics and pretense of the college version.
http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/01/bill_obrien_the_outsider_arriv.html

[Warren]

Here (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/26/sports/ncaafootball/penn-states-bill-obrien-no-stranger-to-adversity.html?_r=0) is an in-depth profile of O'Brien written before his first season at Penn State.

To kick off the speculation about his staff, based on past connections I'll toss out the names of Mark Whipple as a possible QB coach (if he doesn't get the UMass job) and Pat Hill (recently fired by the Falcons) as OL coach.

[Keith]

I know someone interested in the special teams job but can't say (sorry for the tease). Would be great to have him here though.

As for DC, I don't think either Eric Mangini or Romeo Crennel have direct connections to O'Brien (both were gone from NE when O'Brien was there), but both are apparently available for hire if desired. Mangini is currently an offensive consultant (ironically enough) for the 49ers while I don't believe Crennel is employed anywhere right now.

[WMH]

@MarkBermanFox26: NFL sources: new Texans head coach Bill O'Brien agreed to a 5 year contract.

[HPF Bob]

Part of the reason Houston sports continues to seem minor league is that they never hire top guys who have held the job before. O'Brien fits the trend. Dom Capers and Phil Garner were seemingly the exceptions to the rule but typically it's "first time NFL head coach" or "first time MLB manager". Really hard to expect champions from people who need their own learning curve.

Anyway, best of luck to "The Dimple" or (now that I've read the comments above) "The F---ing Dimple". Just don't talk like that around Mr. McNair.

And Happy New Year, everyone. May 2014 be a huge improvement over 2013, especially for Houston sports teams.

[Warren]

Penn Live (http://www.pennlive.com/pennstatefootball/index.ssf/2014/01/penn_state_assistant_stan_hixo.html) is reporting WR coach Stan Hixon (http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/hixon_stan00.html) is joining the Texans staff.

[popanot]

Supposedly Ray Horton (Browns DC) will be let out of his contract. I hope O'Brien considers him if that's the case. I want nothing to do with Wade at this point.

[barrett]

Part of the reason Houston sports continues to seem minor league is that they never hire top guys who have held the job before. O'Brien fits the trend. Dom Capers and Phil Garner were seemingly the exceptions to the rule but typically it's "first time NFL head coach" or "first time MLB manager". Really hard to expect champions from people who need their own learning curve.

Anyway, best of luck to "The Dimple" or (now that I've read the comments above) "The F---ing Dimple". Just don't talk like that around Mr. McNair.

And Happy New Year, everyone. May 2014 be a huge improvement over 2013, especially for Houston sports teams.

Like Mike Tomlin, John Harbaugh, Sean Payton, etc...

[chuck]

Just don't talk like that around Mr. McNair.

See, this is exactly what I like about this hire, that it seems so counter to the other two guys. I'm sure that O'Brien knows how to behave in polite company but I'm also sure that he doesn't much care who's put off by salty language when he steps onto the practice field.

[Keith]

Jason La Canfora @JasonLaCanfora 3h (https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/status/418486544471973890)
Assistants Bill O'Brien will want to bring to HOU- Stan Hixon from Penn State (formerly coaches WRs in NFL); Pats TE coach George Godsey
https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/status/418486544471973890

Godsey has deep ties to O'Brien. Played QB at Georgia Tech when O'Brien coached there. Coached for O'Leary at UCF (QBs & RBs) before coming to the Pats in 2011.

[HPF Bob]

Like Mike Tomlin, John Harbaugh, Sean Payton, etc...

Ignoring, of course, the hundreds of first-time head coaches who didn't pan out. Tomlin, FWIW, inherited Bill Cowher's team and many of his coaches. Harbaugh inherited those veteran Raven defenders.

O'Brien might have hit the jackpot inheriting Kubiak's team and will get kudos for leading them back above .500 in the next year or two. The Texans aren't loaded but they have some Pro Bowlers on both sides of the ball.

I just find it odd how often my team's tell us they will leave no stone unturned bringing in the best available coach/manager only to have that person be somebody who has never before held a head job at the top level.

Well, you can't accuse McNair of being cheap, not when it costs $6.5 million just to get O'Brien back to the NFL.

[barrett]

Ignoring, of course, the hundreds of first-time head coaches who didn't pan out. Tomlin, FWIW, inherited Bill Cowher's team and many of his coaches. Harbaugh inherited those veteran Raven defenders.

O'Brien might have hit the jackpot inheriting Kubiak's team and will get kudos for leading them back above .500 in the next year or two. The Texans aren't loaded but they have some Pro Bowlers on both sides of the ball.

I just find it odd how often my team's tell us they will leave no stone unturned bringing in the best available coach/manager only to have that person be somebody who has never before held a head job at the top level.

Well, you can't accuse McNair of being cheap, not when it costs $6.5 million just to get O'Brien back to the NFL.

If I am ignoring those hundreds of 1st time failures, are you ignoring the hundreds of retread failures?

You made a comment not based on any kind of fact and I mentioned off the top of my head 3 superbowl winning coaches in the past 10 years who had never been head coaches (and add Mike McCarthy after I just looked it up).

I just took the time to look up the 12 playoff coaches.

Fox, Bellachik, Reid, and Carrol are previous HCs.

Lewis, Pagano, Kelly, Mike McCoy, McCarthy, Rivera, Payton, and Harbaugh are all 1st time NFL HCs.

Nothing in recent NFL history says anything about retread coaches being better at winning than 1st timers. There is nothing minor league about hiring a 1st time NFL HC, and it is not hard to expect champions from 1st time guys.

[Keith]

O'Brien is a first time NFL head coach, but not a first time head coach... that was a key line item in McNair's wish list that ought to separate him from the early learning curves of Gary Kubiak.

O'Brien likely won't be easing his way into the role, getting guidance from guys like Mike Sherman the way Kubiak did. And hopefully he learned from what happened to Josh McDaniels in Denver too.

[barrett]

O'Brien is a first time NFL head coach, but not a first time head coach... that was a key line item in McNair's wish list that ought to separate him from the early learning curves of Gary Kubiak.

O'Brien likely won't be easing his way into the role, getting guidance from guys like Mike Sherman the way Kubiak did. And hopefully he learned from what happened to Josh McDaniels in Denver too.

I like the hire, but that is my one concern. McDaniels just wanted so badly to be the man in Denver and had such an ego, that he immediately went to work eliminating anyone who threatened his view of himself. He had to do it HIS way with HIS guys. And because of that, a guy who was a very good football mind was a very bad HC his first try.

O'Brien seems to be another Tyrant type (not necessarily a bad thing). I just hope he can work with the rest of the front office here, hire assistants that are more than yes men, and not dump talent simply because he didn't acquire it. It will break my heart if Watt goes because he "wouldn't get with the program in OTAs" or something dumb like that.

But overall, he was the most sought after candidate available (if you don't count guys who were not really available like Gruden), he is the offensive mind I was hoping for, and he will give this team some toughness.

[Nconroe]

So far I like the hire of O'Neil as HC and Hixon as WR coach.

Wish O.Neil and Texans the best going forward.

[painekiller]

Supposedly Ray Horton (Browns DC) will be let out of his contract. I hope O'Brien considers him if that's the case. I want nothing to do with Wade at this point.

This would be a great hire.

[HPF Bob]

So far I like the hire of O'Neil as HC and Hixon as WR coach.

Wish O.Neil and Texans the best going forward.

He'll be a big upgrade from Kodiak. :rolleyes:

[WMH]

Potential DC
@RapSheet: Still a bit early on Romeo Crennel and the Texans. There is some interest there, we'll see if Romeo wants to get back in. Still getting paid

[Warren]

FWIW, Wade is no longer listed as part of the coaching staff on the official site (http://www.houstontexans.com/team/coaches.html).

[Warren]

More staff reports/speculation: (http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2014-01-05/texans-coaching-staff-overhaul-bill-obrien-eyes-romeo-crennel)

Godsey (http://www.patriots.com/team/coaches/godsey_george/0f970c4e-3b9e-4d5d-a8e6-07a778ea46eb) (mentioned above) would be OC
Penn St. special assistant to the head coach and director of player development Jim Bernhardt (http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/013012aaa.html)
Penn St. RB coach/recruiting coordinator Charles London (http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/london_charles00.html)
Penn St. DC/CB coach John Butler (http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/butler_john00.html)
Former Bucs offensive assistant Ben McDaniels (http://www.buccaneers.com/team/coaches/ben-mcdaniels/38792830-51de-4f6d-ac7a-11796548b7ce), if his brother Josh doesn't get a head coach job and he doesn't join him
Iowa OL coach Brian Ferentz (http://www.hawkeyesports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/brian_ferentz_796305.html) for OL coach

[Keith]

Ahem...
@JasonLaCanfora
Many people in the league believe if Texans GM Rick Smith had his way, Ken Whisenhunt would have been his top choice. More change could come
https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/status/424379035968614400

So, left to question here how much power Rick Smith still has. The team let go of director of pro personnel Brian Gardner and pro scout Kevin Murphy on Friday.

[chuck]

So, left to question here how much power Rick Smith still has.

But this has always been the question, hasn't it, how much power does Rick Smith have? My feeling gathered from various information sources over the years was always that Smith had, shall we say, limited influence on draft day. Maybe that was good, maybe not. Could you have done worse in the later rounds yourself? I doubt it. Would a monkey throwing a dart yield worse results? I doubt it.

Smith had no experience that would lead anyone to believe that he was suited for or prepared for the role of general manager of an NFL franchise. It always seemed to mew like Kubiak had brought along Denver's jailhouse snitch to be his yes man / bag man.

McNair fired Marciano, something I thought he would literally never do. Maybe as he ages fielding a winning team is beginning to trump some other considerations. If so that would be about the best offseason news I could have asked for.

[Warren]

I have no idea what these two particular guys did or didn't do to get fired but it's good to see that the personnel side of the organization is getting some scrutiny. From the press conference for Kubiak's firing on all of the talk had been about what great talent the team had and the pro and college scouting departments seemed to be getting a complete pass.

[Arky]

I think, maybe for the first time, Rick Smith has felt the heat. At first, I think he was a newbie (to GM) who just wanted to make sure he crossed his t's and dotted his i's. Hearing him speak on the radio, sounds like he's got a direction he wants to pursue...... but so far (after 8 yrs on the job), it's not always working as planned....

On draft day, I always pictured a "council" in the war room. Wade Phillips (or whomever) walks into the room, picks up a couple of chocolate iced doughnuts out of the Shipley's box, gets a cup of coffee, plops down in a chair and declares, "I sure could use a linebacker in the 2nd or 3rd round". Kubiak, Dennison, etc., even R Smith, all nod "OK". The scouts standing by for consultation....

Just speculating but, I think most of the Texan business is handled this way, i.e. a council. While Kubes and Smith and maybe one or two others had veto power, I'm guessing it was seldom used....

The past scouting department had a few lucky hits but lately just too many JAG's - not even solid players, just barely serviceable.....

[nunusguy]

I saw Bob "the invisible man" O'Brien last night on local sports news, and it might be the first sighting since his presser where McNair introduced him as the Texans new HC. He was at some kind of event with another new HC, UTs Charles Strong. Interestingly Strong was dressed-out in UT garb, but I O'Brien wasn't wearing Texans gear, looked like he was decked out in Under Armour, or something like that ? But the Texans' new HC has sure been low-profile since his hiring, but with the Combine this week I'd expect that to change.

[HPF Bob]

It's not like Coach Dimple has to change wardrobes. Patriots - navy and white (with some red). Penn State - navy and white. Texans - navy and white (with some red). It ain't like coaching the Seahawks, Bill. Just wear something navy and white and you fit right in.

[Arky]

O'Brien speaks - Vandermeer interview:

http://www.houstontexans.com/tv-media/videos/EXCLUSIVE-Coach-OBrien-1-on-1/be5b066e-4456-4e19-bde2-e6ae88e65caf

A lot of coach speak and evasion but kind of a good look at the new head coach......

[Arky]

New O'Brien video out (http://www.houstontexans.com/tv-media/videos/OBrien-Well-draft-a-QB/763f2c82-ab4a-4977-af62-c11bd9235c53) - about 3 mins.

Talks about the QB selections in the draft. Says they don't know yet, what they will do.

So, I guess that is the one big remaining question - Do they go Bortles (or Teddy or Johnny) @ 1.1 or do they do Clowney @ 1.1 then Garoppolo (or another QB) @ 2.1?

[nunusguy]

New O'Brien video out (http://www.houstontexans.com/tv-media/videos/OBrien-Well-draft-a-QB/763f2c82-ab4a-4977-af62-c11bd9235c53) - about 3 mins.

Talks about the QB selections in the draft. Says they don't know yet, what they will do.

So, I guess that is the one big remaining question - Do they go Bortles (or Teddy or Johnny) @ 1.1 or do they do Clowney @ 1.1 then Garoppolo (or another QB) @ 2.1?

So if the Texans use their 1.1 on a non-QB, are you confidant that it's going to be Clowney ?

[HPF Bob]

Clowney is the only non-QB in this draft that is worth a 1-1. If what you want is Barr, Mack, Matthews, Watkins, etc, you should trade down and take them. I'd be thrilled to do a trade down into the 4-6 range with receiving extra draft picks. STL and Oakland probably don't want another QB so if you trade down, likely one of the Big 3 QBs is still there along with some of the draft's top talent guys like Matthews or Watkins.

[chuck]

But in trying to trade down we're faced with the same old question, though. If we don't see any value at 1-1 then who the hell else will?

[Arky]

But in trying to trade down we're faced with the same old question, though. If we don't see any value at 1-1 then who the hell else will?

People keep saying it's a "deep" draft so you would think (I do) there's at least one player that is worth the 1.1 pick. All it takes is one team to have the itch, to see future greatness in a player and go for it (trade up)...

Trading down but staying in the top 10 would probably make taking a QB more.... palatable.... Seems to me, QB's taken in round 1 seem to have the highest bust rate. I don't have any stats or anything but it just seems that way. By trading down, at least one could avoid having a 1.1 (QB) bust. Bortles, Manziel, Bridgewater..... there are no guarantees. One or more could be the next Jamarcus Russel/Gabbert/Leaf, etc. Other positions aren't guaranteed either but I think you have a better chance at a solid player at minimum... I think Mack, Clowney, Mathews - all meet this minimum requirement.

I only mentioned Clowney because his name is usually the one that comes up, i.e. soup-of-the-day. Should have included "or other non-QB".....

So, to rephrase, I guess there are 3 choices:

1. Draft a QB at 1.1

2. Draft a non-QB at 1.1

3. Trade down and pick whoever you want.

[nunusguy]

Clowney is the only non-QB in this draft that is worth a 1-1. If what you want is Barr, Mack, Matthews, Watkins, etc, you should trade down and take them. I'd be thrilled to do a trade down into the 4-6 range with receiving extra draft picks. STL and Oakland probably don't want another QB so if you trade down, likely one of the Big 3 QBs is still there along with some of the draft's top talent guys like Matthews or Watkins.
That's your opinion, quite a few "analytics" are now saying that OT Greg Robinson is right there with Clowney but who's to know ? But with the new CBA, trading out of the 1.1 is not as far fetched as it might seem, even in a Draft that is without one of those "franchise QBs" like Andrew Luck or RG3. The team with the 1.1 just can't expect that much for their top pick.

[HPF Bob]

This probably deserves a different thread (hint) But let's look at potential trading partners for 1-1.

2. Rams. QB need? 45% (Are they sick of Bradford yet?) Coach: Jeff Fisher. Not really a trade down candidate because we are just talking one spot.

3. Jaguars. QB need? 85%. Most likely they will take the QB we don't and will try to bedevil us with him for the next decade. Not really a trade down option here since they are within our division and would not want to do us favors.

4. Browns. QB need? 90% Most likely, they will take a QB but they have plenty of needs and may draft BPA. They have a low first as well as this pick so they are the most ideal partner. We would get a top-4 player and I think we'd have somebody we'd really like if we drafted 4th.

5. Raiders. QB need? Well, they just traded for Schaub so your guess is as good as mine. Might lust for Clowney or Watkins. Would still be a good draft slot for Houston but would need probably their 1st, 2nd and 3rd to do this deal.

6. Falcons. QB need? 10% Definitely lusting for Clowney. Could feel he is worth 1st, 2nd and 3rd to move up for him. Sixth spot isn't great for Texans but could still work out, particularly if Matthews or Manzeil was their guy all along. The haul would really set up a spectacular draft for us though.

I doubt the Texans would agree to trade further down than this unless the Bucs, Bills or Vikings made them an unbelievable offer. So that's your trade down options. The Browns and Raiders are batshit crazy so they could want a trade-up badly. The Falcons see themselves as still a playoff team and could view Clowney as the pass-rush piece they need to bounce back.

[nunusguy]

This probably deserves a different thread (hint) But let's look at potential trading partners for 1-1.

2. Rams. QB need? 45% (Are they sick of Bradford yet?) Coach: Jeff Fisher. Not really a trade down candidate because we are just talking one spot.

3. Jaguars. QB need? 85%. Most likely they will take the QB we don't and will try to bedevil us with him for the next decade. Not really a trade down option here since they are within our division and would not want to do us favors.

4. Browns. QB need? 90% Most likely, they will take a QB but they have plenty of needs and may draft BPA. They have a low first as well as this pick so they are the most ideal partner. We would get a top-4 player and I think we'd have somebody we'd really like if we drafted 4th.

5. Raiders. QB need? Well, they just traded for Schaub so your guess is as good as mine. Might lust for Clowney or Watkins. Would still be a good draft slot for Houston but would need probably their 1st, 2nd and 3rd to do this deal.

6. Falcons. QB need? 10% Definitely lusting for Clowney. Could feel he is worth 1st, 2nd and 3rd to move up for him. Sixth spot isn't great for Texans but could still work out, particularly if Matthews or Manzeil was their guy all along. The haul would really set up a spectacular draft for us though.

I doubt the Texans would agree to trade further down than this unless the Bucs, Bills or Vikings made them an unbelievable offer. So that's your trade down options. The Browns and Raiders are batshit crazy so they could want a trade-up badly. The Falcons see themselves as still a playoff team and could view Clowney as the pass-rush piece they need to bounce back.
I want the Texans to draft Clowney, but if I didn't and since we've already have our franchise LT, I'd be fine with them trading their 1.1 to TB for ONLY their first and second round picks. Some may think that's not enough for the 1.1,
but I'd rather have the 1.7 & 2.7 (assuming don't want Clowney). JMO.

[chuck]

I would also trade out of 1-1 for what might be considered a non-ideal return like, as nunu suggests, a lowish second this year. My thinking is the Texans have many needs and their hit-miss ratio in the draft is not exactly world-beating.