Bill O'Brien emerges as Houston Texans No. 1 target for new head coach

He IS a hot commodity, and chances are a number of coaches will be fired by Monday, and several new ones will be hired by Friday. They've interviewed at least a handful of candidates that we know about - if he was at/near the top of their list and the interviews went well, there's no reason to jump on him before anyone else can interview him and convince him to go elsewhere.

 

Let's not forget that Wade transformed this defence as soon as he got here.

Injuries of key players (Cushing) have really killed us these past two years.

Wouldn't mind keeping Wade as DC.

 

If Wade stays, they need more talent in the LB core (besides Cushing) to be able to run his system effectively.

If Wade goes, they still likely need more talent up front and better run-stopping and cover-ability LB's in a 4-3.

The defense has been scouted against and figured out just as much as the offense has... and Wade's defense have that track record at each stop prior. He does "fix it up" as soon as he gets there more often than not... then the lack of adjustments commence into the defenses becoming overall less effective.

However, a talent infusion of capable OLB pass rushers would do wonders for this defense, simply because any defense with Watt is likely just one or two average players away from becoming elite again.

 

If wade stays I won't riot, but if much prefer a total change, I'm rooting for Romeo crennel big time. Guy is a great dc and his players would run through walls for him.

 

It would be a logical choice, given his NE ties with O'Brien, and he runs some similar stuff to Wade to ease the transition.

I personally don't see Wade sticking around after he gets passed over... I also don't see him wanting to coach elsewhere. He will probably retire.

 

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer...ien-likely-to-land-head-coaching-jobs-in-2014

Chargers offense coordinator Ken Whisenhunt will be given strong consideration for the Texans job, according to league sources, and he too has strong mutual interest in that position, coveting it above other opportunities. Numerous teams will reach out to Whisenhunt for interviews, and while a report noted that Penn State's Bill O'Brien is the favorite for the Texans job, the reality is that the process is still very much ongoing.

The Texans want to talk to Whisenhunt, and some of what the search firm running their search has discovered about O'Brien's tenure at Penn State has caused some pause. He is very much a candidate, but Jed Hughes, who is running the process as a consultant, has not had a chance to schedule interviews with all candidates yet. Jets GM John Idzik speaks very highly of Whisenhunt, sources said, although the presence of former Arizona GM Rod Graves on Idzik's staff likely rules out hiring Whisenhunt there, sources said, as he and Graves left the Cardinals on very poor terms. Other teams likely to consider an offensive-minded coach, like the Lions, Redskins and Vikings could reach out to Whisenhunt as well.

O'Brien, as we first reported weeks ago, is highly motivated to leave Penn State and get back in the NFL and would consider any number of possible head coaching jobs. Several league sources expect him to land one.​

Also, per JLC, there are 2 other NFL coaches they want to talk to. Ken Whisenhunt will have a say in this matter. Houston is on the top of his list.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>.<a href="https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora">@JasonLaCanfora</a>: O'Brien wants out of Penn St. I'm not sure he's going to get <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&amp;src=hash">#Texans</a> job. I do think he'll get a job if there are 7-8 open</p>&mdash; TOPSonCBS (@TOPSonCBS) <a href="https://twitter.com/TOPSonCBS/statuses/417303135007543297">December 29, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>On <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&amp;src=hash">#Texans</a>: Perhaps the final candidate the Texans will interview is Chargers OC Ken Whisenhunt, per sources. GM Rick Smith is a big fan.</p>&mdash; Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/statuses/417289154184376320">December 29, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Texans to interview Chargers OC Ken Whisenhunt

 

Schefter: I'm told this could get done by the end of the week. I'm also told there are no contract discussions to date and to think it could get done early this week might be a bit premature. But when you speak to people around the league, there seems to be widespread consensus that it is hard to imagine Bill O'Brien doesn't wind up going to Houston and becoming the next head coach of the Houston Texans. ... He looks to be the guy the Texans organization is dialed into getting and focused on getting and eventually, when you speak to people around the league, they believe Houston will get it's man.

Mort: Penn State coach Bill O'Brien has emerged as the top choice to become the next coach of the Houston Texans according to league sources.

Owner Bob McNair was among a small contingent of Texans brass who traveled after Christmas to meet and interview O'Brien at his home in Cape Cod. Sources say McNair fell in love with O'Brien and the info gathered from several resources has strengthened their resolve in their determination to land him as their next coach.

They have already interviewed Lovie Smith and Wade Phillips and have a short list that includes Ken Whisenhunt in case talks break down with O'Brien.

 

Ian Rapoport/Mike Silver:

Bill O'Brien has emerged as a top candidate with the Houston Texans. They interviewed him this week on Thursday and I'm told it went well. They also interviewed Wade Phillips and of course talked to Lovie Smith. They are not done interviewing. My expectation is they will interview Ken Whisenhunt. That could happen Monday.

There is a reason they fired Gary Kubiak during the season: to get a jump on people like Bill O'Brien. I'm told Bob McNair is spearheading this. They'd like to be done by Tuesday.

O'Brien is telling people he wants to be in the NFL. ... He's so confident he's getting this job, he told staff members be ready to come with me if I do come to Houston. Penn State is prepared to lose Bill O'Brien and is making a strong push for Greg Schiano.

 

Don't know much about the guy since I don't follow college level. But if the response is overwhelmingly positive from Clutchfans, I'll take it

 

I'm also impressed that McNair APPEARS to be taking an awful season seriously and wanting to make changes. I felt Smith could have been given the ax for whiffing on more than a few early round picks, but I'll still take a regime change as a big positive.

 

The funny thing is that's what Lovie is like as a coach so he's exactly McNair's type. It's great to see McNair changing things up and going for a coach like O'Brien.

 

After going through the Dwight Howard trade reporting along with the Ed Reed signing... I'm fully prepared for the amount of mis-information, conflicting reports, "inside sources" and totally baseless claims that is spewed from the verbal diarrhea that has commenced due to social media.

The Texans are the ones in the drivers seat... not O'Brien or any other coaching candidate. Also, the Texans can hire a coach before any of the other "potential" teams out there since they all have to wait till Monday to part ways with their current head coach.

In the end, they will choose whoever they feel is the right guy for the job... and it will be THEIR choice; they won't be played or used as leverage. Also, O'Brien wouldn't negotiate a "lower" buyout if he didn't want to be in the NFL... he does.

Media reports are leaked for a reason... but those reasons are never fully understood by anybody in the media.

 

Schefty can do no wrong. Not encouraging to hear that contract negotiations haven't actually taken place (as that is what normally means itshappening.gif). Whizzynuts will get his interview, then I'm guessing O'Brien will sign on the line.

 

Except this is a pattern with him. His teams show immediate improvement and then regress over time - at least, that's the case every time he's been a head coach. Not sure why it is, but it's a very consistent pattern. He has a great overall career record but he keeps getting fired for this reason.

 

This was true a few days ago, but you're now 24 hours from black Monday. Unless they sign a coach today, other teams will have the opportunity to make their interest known (if they haven't already behind the scenes) and open the door for him to consider various possibilities. If the Texans thinks he's clearly their best choice, they kind of have to wait, assuming its only a short amount of time - you don't hire your 2nd choice just to hurry up and get a deal done.

If O'Brien really is in demand, he's the one in the driver's seat of picking the job he wants.

 

Probably the same reason certain offensive and defensive schemes in the NFL come and go. He shows up, everyone is underprepared, and then they eventually learn to adjust.

 

Interesting

 

I'm presuming there has already been inquiries made for O'brien by other teams.

I also feel that O'Brien wants an NFL HC job, hence him negotiating a lower buyout number.

I do not feel O'Brien is going to want to play the "leverage" game in order to get more/better offers, nor do I feel he's got the track record to warrant this. If anything, these "leaks" are more likely from the Texans in order to either force a "cheaper/quicker" deal from Lovie/Wiz, or they are in fact close enough to a deal that both parties don't care if anybody finds out.

I do feel the Texans will get their #1 guy... and they do have a head start on the other teams.

 

I feel like o'brien will bring a patriot atmosphere and culture to this team I remember when the said McNair and Kraft are good friends and McNair wants a culture just like patriots and I'm sure kraft is telling McNair to get o'brien he will bring that patriot system too 4wr sets bubble screens a lot of complex offensive strategy everybody always talks about how complex and difficult the patriot play book is o'brien will bring that with him

 

Jay Glazer: Whisenhunt expected to interview in Houston, even though Bill O'Brien is expected to get that job.