Boom! Tank Job Complete! Wade Phillips will do us right by being the interim coach and lose us the next three games because he is a terrible head coach.
I think Kubiak's biggest failings here had to do with who he brought in on the defensive side to assemble that unit. Had he gone with a more established DC with a system, we could have taken advantage of the window where we had younger, less costly, and productive players. Instead, we got Richard Smith and Frank Bush which totally wasted the first five years of steady progress on the offensive side of the ball. When we finally got a veteran DC, the offense began to regress due to attrition (Brisiel, Dreessen, and Winston), injury (Schaub and Foster), and/or age (Walter).
Disappointing year for the Texans. Started with high hopes. Felt we had the best roster we ever started the year with. Anticipated a favorable outcome. To have this string of losses is totally unacceptable and not what this organization is about. We're about winning and accountability. While we would wait to evaluate coaches and players, under extreme circumstances, we're starting that now. As a result, we felt a change was needed in the head coach position. Kubiak is no longer the head coach. Wade Phillip interim head coach. We'll evaluate the rest of the staff and players. We decided the advantage for now is it allows us to start the process of finding a new head coach. That process is underway. Those not under contract are those who we can visit with. We'll start the process immediately. Some people we'll visit with are in coaching positions now. All of this will be held on a confidential basis. No public sessions with the prospects. We'll have to wait after the season for those prospects under contract and we'll abide by those rules. We're so disappointed and I guess shocked by what has happen. Our fans are disappointed and no more disappointed than we are. I want to thank Gary Kubiak. He brought this team to a new level. 2 division championships, outstanding performances, a job that he was totally committed to and put his all into it. We couldn't ask for more. It's disappointing he won't be with us. I thought he would be with us until he was going to retire. I'm disappointed it didn't work out this way but have to do what's best for the organization. We're here to have a winning culture. We have to to turn it around. Wade Phillips is the interim coach. 3 games, we want to go out and win 3 games. We want a winning culture, whether it's the first game or last game. That's what we expect of everybody. With that, I believe we will be ready for questions. Type of coach you're looking for? If you look at the record, defensive coordinators have been more successful than offensive coordinators but not by a large percentage. It's based on the individual. We're looking for a coach that is bright, ethical, whose culture fits with our organization. Someone who is innovative, flexible, can make adjustments and has great energy. We'll find that person. Thought process when you came to this decision? We've been evaluating it every game and asking what's in the best interest of the organization? We have a young QB and need to find out if he's a starter or backup. You find that out by playing him. We waited to see how that was developing and how much progress we could make in the development of him as a player. We're at the point now though where we need to make changes because losing is unacceptable and we can't tolerate it. Wade a candidate? We'll interview him. He has an outstanding record and fine coach. We'll interview him and a number of others. Final straw? Seeing Schaub? Last straw was losing. We have more talent than Jacksonville. They played harder and smarter. We expect to play hard and smart. We didn't. Meeting with Gary? It was difficult for me. I think so much of Gary. I didn't want to do it but you do what's best for the organization. Gary understands and is thankful for the opportunity. Rick, your conversation with Gary? I want to echo Bob's thoughts. We've been together 18 years. Tremendous amount of respect but what's taking place isn't acceptable. We have 3 weeks left to evaluate. We have to right the ship. That's what this is about. We have to move forward as an organization. We'll evaluate every player, coach, process. You gotta be honest and look at what you're doing. College coach a possibility? We would like someone with head coach experience and NFL experience. Combo of those two things is the ideal situation. There are people who meet those conditions. Did you think about doing this after the last Jacksonville game? I've thought about it continually. Are we making progress? If so, fine, let's continue along the path we are. The game against New England, we were in position to win. Case was matching Brady in terms of possessions. That was encouraging. It's the inconsistency, mental errors, lack of discipline. We weren't progressing or showing improvement. It's a performance related business. A loss is a loss. We can't tolerate that. Case is gonna be the QB. We're gonna give him the chance to see how he performs. Jury is still out. He's shown flashes but also rookie mistakes. Can we eliminate and minimize those mistakes and see whether he can be a starting QB in the NFL? At this point, we don't know. What's it been like for you during this losing streak? It's been horrible. A nightmare. Fortunately, we've always had successful organizations. This isn't what I'm accustomed to or what this organization is accustomed to. We're unhappy. We have to do something about it. When you have extreme circumstances like this and a chance to get the process started earlier, it's best to start now. We don't have to do a lot to get us back on track. We expect to be in playoff contention next year. This is not a rebuilding process. I want to make that clear. We need to fill a few holes. Injuries hurt us. We have some things we need to do but we still have a good core group of players. Not sticking with Keenum a factor to this? No. The whole key is what is in the best interest of the organization. Case has had his ups and downs and needs to be given the opportunity and he will now. There were other things that happened. 14 penalties, that's not difference between Case and Matt. Things like that are totally unacceptable. Last night or this morning for the decision? Flying back last night and thought it was the right time. We have time between now and the next game. It makes sense to do it now. Regret not making this move earlier in the season? When you take a person like Matt, because he had one bad game, you don't remove him. How long do you review the situation before you make a move? That was a coaching decision but you can second guess someone about that but most coaches would have gone with a proven commodity who has shown he could get the job done. Hindsight is 20/20. If we can start the season again knowing what we know now, there would be a number of decisions done different but it doesn't work that way. You have to rely on coaches, instinct, and past performance. Rick: At this point, it's premature to have any [draft/FA] discussions. We have 3 weeks to evaluate and get a head start on the search. Any names that aren't coaching? There are some not coaching now that will be considered. Lovie is a good example. It will be best to keep it confidential who we visit with.
....and questionable play calling, poor clock management, predictability, inability to make in game adjustments and blind loyalty to Schaub leading to a lack of accountability.
Gary was a good coordinator, but he didn't know how to be a good HC and that was most apparent in his lack of ability to hire defensive staff. It's not a coincidence that the team finally made the playoffs only when Wade was forced on him and those decisions were taken out of his hands. This is probably the biggest reason why Bob said that want somebody with HC experience. He doesn't want a repeat of Gary who, while a successful OC, you didn't really know how he'd handle HC duties. He wants a guy where the ability to be a real HC and not just a glorified coordinator is not in question.
"R.I.P." Kubiak Era!!! "The Kubes is Gone".... <iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/4fk2prKnYnI?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> ....... ....... .......
Rick Smith will have a hand in choosing the next HC so that's not going to happen. We can only pray that Smith is better at picking coaches than he is at mid-round draft picks.
Not even close. He just signed an extension last year (through 2017 I believe). We'll create dead money by cutting him, but it'll still be less than what we'd pay if we kept him on the roster.
This is a bad team... about to play three teams better than them. They just fired the guy who has 100% control on one side of the ball, and the HC has failed at every single HC stint, along with regressed in year 3 of every single DC stint. Looking respectable will take a minor miracle.
Bob's not going to make the decision on his own. He'll consult with the front office, including Smith. Smith was on that podium because he's in a position of authority and he spoke as if he were part of the decision to fire Gary, which he probably was. He may not make the ultimate decision, but he will definitely be involved in making that decision.
