[popanot]

Of course I'd prefer they hire a big-name coach and have stated such in this very thread. I think Holmgren or Gruden would be the most likely big-name coaches that would be willing to come to Houston that would be within McNair's price range. I just don't think it will happen. Certainly not Cowher or Shanahan who will probably have much better choices of location and money elsewhere. You really think McNair is going to outbid Dallas, Washington, Oakland or possibly Carolina (where Cowher lives)? I don't. I'm not even including Dungy because I think he's done coaching.

As for Schottenheimer, I'm throwing his name out there because he's a young assistant with NFL experience and someone who I can see being a potential HC candidate that would interest McNair. Schottenheimer was considered for the HC job in Miami when Saban left and was also a candidate for the Jets HC job before they hired Ryan, so his name is out there amoung HC candidates. I don't think it's all that crazy to have his name in the mix. I can certainly see him being a hot candidate if the Jets make the playoffs with a rookie QB.

EDIT: BTW, I think he's been OC for more than 5 games and I'm pretty sure has a little more experience than Raheem Morris... Maybe he doesn't have the one of best offenses in the league, but they haven't been all that bad and they can play both finesse and smash-mouth. That's something that's sorely lacking at Reliant.