New Director of Pro Personnel

[Warren]

I haven’t seen this discussed here, but earlier this week the Texans hired Brian Gaine as director of pro personnel. Here’s the best description of his background that I could find. He was a finalist for the Dolphins’ recent GM opening and for the Jets’ GM job last year. Dennis Hickey, who got the Miami job, basically canned him immediately upon being hired.

He’s spent his entire front office career until now under Bill Parcells and/or Jeff Ireland. While the Dolphins weren’t horrible while he was there, his first season was the only year during his tenure that they had a winning record. Their best pro acquisition during his time may have been signing Cameron Wake from the CFL. Last offseason they signed Mike Wallace to a contract that he's never going to live up to unless he suddenly turns into an elite WR.

He has no direct connection to O’Brien that I can see, but he has played or worked for a couple guys (Kirk Ferentz as a player at Maine and Parcells) who aren’t that many degrees of separation from O’Brien, so it’s possible there could have been some influence there.

I am glad to see somebody with a different perspective added to the front office, at least. It's going to take some time for me to get used to them hiring people who haven’t worked for either the Broncos or Colorado State.

[painekiller]

I know you know the following, O'Brien is in the Belichick tree, which is a branch of Parchells. My understanding is that Bellechick and Parchells are still close, so I imagine a great deal of info is exchanged.

As we have seen with the Kubiak hirings and now with O'Brien's hiring, it not what you know but who you know. And the network has been busy contacting O'Brien and he has listened, and acted.

Also O'Brien has shown no reluctance in hiring people he has no direct working relationship, which is a great change for the Texans.

I think it's interesting that there is a large South Carolina connection with this new coaching staff, and I am wondering if that helps or hurts Clowney as a possible #1 pick.

To summarize my take, I like the front office getting new blood, the team has lacked depth in a few key spots, and someone's head needed to role.

[HPF Bob]

Miami's loss is our Gaine...