The Houston Texans are amid a coaching search for their sixth full-time coach in team history.
The coaching search includes both sides of the ball. The breakdown for offensive to defensive coaches throughout franchise history is three offensive (Gary Kubiak, Bill O’Brien, David Culley) and two defensive (Dom Capers, Lovie Smith). Both of Houston’s interim coaches in team history were defensive in Wade Phillips and Romeo Crennel.
Here are four reasons a defensive-minded coach might like the Texans job.
Jalen Pitre
The 2022 second-rounder from Baylor solves plenty of issues in the secondary and in the front seven. Pitre led the Texans with 147 combined tackles and five interceptions. The former Stafford High School product can cover plenty of issues as the new coaching staff implements the definitive vision of their defense.
Draft capital
The Texans have 12 picks with six in the top-103. Naturally the No. 2 overall pick may be used to take a quarterback, but the Texans’ other first-rounder at No. 12 overall offers optimism to take an impactful, young defender. The Texans’ 12 picks also represent the chance to build packages to take specific targets identified by the personnel and coaching staffs as being good fits for the defense.
Salary cap space
The Texans have $37.3 million in salary cap space for 2023, according to Spotrac. With the fifth-most space in the NFL, Houston has the ability to find dynamic players who can contribute right away, which means if a defensive-minded coach needs a lieutenant from his previous regime, there may be money to get him.
Legacy of J.J. Watt
Some teams have a legacy for one side of the ball over the other, no matter the era. Because of the ’85 Bears and the ’00 Ravens, Chicago and Baltimore have identities for being defensive-minded franchises.
In a similar vein, a new coach could convince the McNairs that the identity of the Texans is an aggressive defense, and that legacy started with Watt, who is now retired and giving endorsements to coaching candidates. Therefore, invest resources to build a great defense.
