The Houston Texans are close to naming Brian Gaine as the team’s general manager. Once that happens, John McLain of the Houston Chronicle is reporting that an extension for head coach O’Brien will become a priority.
“The Texans are in negotiations to hire Brian Gaine as general manager and sign coach Bill O’Brien to a contract extension,” McLain noted. “Gaine, Buffalo’s vice president of player personnel, interviewed Tuesday. Once Gaine’s deal is official, the Texans are hoping to have O’Brien’s extension wrapped up, too.”
O’Brien actually has a losing record (31-33) in his four years on Houston’s sideline. But much of that can be attributed to the team’s downward spiral in 2017 following the injury to starting quarterback DeShaun Watson. The Texans finished at 4-12, but were 3-3 in games started by Watson.
Watson has also publicly supported O’Brien on more than one occasion. O’Brien’s first three years in Houston all ended with 9-7 records. In both 2015 and 2016, the Texans won the AFC South championship.
Without an extension, the 2018 season would be the last on O’Brien’s contract in Houston.