New year, new coach.
That has the been the mantra for the Houston Texans each January since 2021. The Texans are on their third coaching search in as many offseasons since Nick Caserio took over as general manager.
General managers don’t get as many swings at hiring coaches, especially not in the short amount of time Caserio has been with the Texans. The third hire has to be sure fire with a trend out of rebuilding mode, or else it could cost Caserio his job and keep Houston entrenched in the process.
Caserio outlined on Monday night’s presser what the organization is looking for in a coach and some of the process Houston will have to go through as they evaluate candidates.
Establish the job description
“There’s a lot of really good coaches in this league, so, I think we’re going to be diligent about that,” Caserio said. “You know, as Cal alluded to, there’s a process that the league has in place that you have to go through. The league has done a great job of sort of enhancing the process and the thoroughness of it. Establishment of the job description, which is important, number one.
Training
“Number two, there’s training and other vehicles that each club has to go through to make sure they’re in compliance,” said Caserio.
Parameters of when to interview
“Number three, then to get in the process and notification, and then you have parameters in place in terms of when you can talk to candidates, being respectful of their situation, being respectful of their season,” Caserio said. “Then doing some internal review of some of the things that we’ve done.
Leadership
“To your question about what’s important, in the end it’s a leadership position,” said Caserio. “The head coach’s responsibility is to consistently, continually message the players, create belief, create a vision for the team, work in concert with as many people that are in the building.
GM role is supplementary
“My role is a supplementary role to be as big and as much of a resource as possible,” said Caserio. “It has to be a collaborative effort, and it will be a collaborative effort. The only way you accomplish things is together as a team.
It isn't about one individual
“When we look at an actual team on the field, it’s not about one player, it’s not about one position,” said Caserio. “It’s about 11 players functioning at an optimum level. That’s how you have sustained success. It’s no different in a football operation. The head coach-general manager relationship, it’s always been important. It will continue to be important, and the ability to lead the team, message the team.
Ultimately leadership
“There are a number of other things that go along with it, but I think in the end coaching is about teaching and it’s about leadership,” Caserio said. “Those are the things that are paramount. Everybody has different strengths, everybody has qualities, everybody has areas that they’re more accomplished than others.
The best situation
“In the end, we have to figure out what’s the best thing for the Houston Texans at this present time, what’s the best for our situation, what’s the best for our building, what’s the best for our coaches, what’s the best for our players,” Caserio said.
