Texans fire Gary Kubiak

[Slava]

The Houston Texans have fired Gary Kubiak.

The Texans have been one of the NFL's best teams over the past few seasons, but completely fell off in 2013 on an 11-game losing streak.

The Texans will be a coveted job by head coaching candidates due to the presence of strong foundational pieces such as J.J. Watt, Duane Brown and Brian Cushing, along with strong ownership and a high draft pick.

Wade Philips will finish the season as interim head coach of the Texans.

WIretap

[Mr. E]

I have to admit that I am surprised by the timing of this. I thought for sure that McNair would fire him, but not until after the season.

Some things of note in the press conference:

1) Rick Smith is still the GM of the franchise. I am not really pleased about that.

2) They would not discuss possible coaches other than to say that Wade Smith would get consideration.

3) They did point out that any potential coaches must have NFL experience (so no Art Briles, Kevin Sumlin, etc.)

4) Case Keenum will be the starter for the remainder of the season. McNair made a comment that he needed a "fair shot" to succeed. Pretty curious wording there.


McNair sounding like a man at a funeral. You know that this had to be a very tough call for him considering how close he is to Kubiak. I'm hoping that Kubiak takes some time off to really recuperate. He should have no problem finding a new job. Maybe not a head coaching gig right away, but I'm sure that he'll have interested parties.


So what's next for the Texans?

[Mr. E]

I'll start with the Usual Suspects:

Bill Cowher
Lovie Smith
John Gruden


Which names am I missing? You know - the guys who always come up for every vacancy?

For the ones mentioned - do any of them come here without say in who the GM is and how decisions are made?

[Slava]

Don't think Texans will have trouble finding a top candidate, this is still a solid team at the core with Watt, Cushing, Dre, Manning, Foster etc and a #1 draft pick coming up and Houston is a lovely city with good property values.

The team might rebound much faster and surprise people like the Colts.

[Nebula1]

Cowher and Co. haven't coached in a long, long time. I'd only look at Gruden from that list.

So far my first pick is Rex Ryan after he's gone, but I haven't thought about it much.

[Mr. E]

Special Teams coach Joe Marciano has been fired as well.

[zapatasblood]

I'll start with the Usual Suspects:

Bill Cowher
Lovie Smith
John Gruden


Which names am I missing? You know - the guys who always come up for every vacancy?

For the ones mentioned - do any of them come here without say in who the GM is and how decisions are made?

No to Cowher. He has been out for too long.
No to Lovie this team needs something that Lovie does not have. It needs an OC to take to coaching reins or somebody that does not believe in run first.
No to Gruden the guy is an overrated and a jacka$$. The Tampa Bay locker room turned on him quickly.

Me I will go with any of the Seattle coordinators or someone in College. My brother keeps talking about Texas A&M head coach, can't believe I forgot his damn name.

Really do not want to hire any retread coaches.

[zapatasblood]

Don't think Texans will have trouble finding a top candidate, this is still a solid team at the core with Watt, Cushing, Dre, Manning, Foster etc and a #1 draft pick coming up and Houston is a lovely city with good property values.

The team might rebound much faster and surprise people like the Colts.

I don't expect Manning to be on this team next season.

[Mr. E]

Me I will go with any of the Seattle coordinators or someone in College. My brother keeps talking about Texas A&M head coach, can't believe I forgot his damn name.

Kevin Sumlin.

McNair specifically said that any candidate would have NFL experience. That removes guys like Sumlin & Art Briles.

Man...University of Houston is a Coaching Factory!

[RaoulDuke79]

Special Teams coach Joe Marciano has been fired as well.

It's about **** time, thank titties they got rid of his worthless ass and not just Kubiak.

I don't even recall the Texans ever having a special teams that wasn't mediocre. How he kept his job for this long is pretty amazing.

[inquisitive]

They can at least do the coaching search now with time to look at the best candidates and get a staff assembled quickly once they hire a coach instead of waiting till offseason. McNair said that he wanted a coach with NFL experience so it appears Sumlin and Shaw won't be considered which alot of fans keep mentioning. I prefer Gruden and also the fact that he is still analyzing players and teams while Cowher is just watching games like a fan for the NFL show, thus not quite in tune like Gruden.

[inquisitive]

I have to admit that I am surprised by the timing of this. I thought for sure that McNair would fire him, but not until after the season.

Some things of note in the press conference:

1) Rick Smith is still the GM of the franchise. I am not really pleased about that.

2) They would not discuss possible coaches other than to say that Wade Smith would get consideration.

3) They did point out that any potential coaches must have NFL experience (so no Art Briles, Kevin Sumlin, etc.)

4) Case Keenum will be the starter for the remainder of the season. McNair made a comment that he needed a "fair shot" to succeed. Pretty curious wording there.


McNair sounding like a man at a funeral. You know that this had to be a very tough call for him considering how close he is to Kubiak. I'm hoping that Kubiak takes some time off to really recuperate. He should have no problem finding a new job. Maybe not a head coaching gig right away, but I'm sure that he'll have interested parties.


So what's next for the Texans?

I can't see any team hiring Kubiak as a head coach, but as offensive coordinator, he should be able to get a job doing that.