The Houston Texans coaching search has been silent until now.
However, that last announcement was a big one. On Jan. 20, Houston announced the interview of 18-year NFL journeyman Josh McCown who quarterbacked for 12 different franchises over the course of his career.
Subsequently, both Houston and national media have exploded over the announcement.
For a front office that already receives a heavy burden of criticism whether it be for signing too many veterans, how they’ve handled disgruntled quarterback Deshaun Watson, or the firing of David Culley. The results have been unsurprising. The optics are very bad on interviewing a 42-year-old with zero coaching experience at any level in either the college or NFL ranks. Despite any raving reviews of McCown’s presence in the quarterback room as a player or his ample playing history, the hire would be unconventional to say the least.
It’s reported that McCown is the favorite of executive vice president of football operations Jack Easterby. The two supposedly grew close in 2020 with discussions of their faith. Prior to the 2021 season, McCown was reportedly offered the opportunity to join Culley’s staff as the associate head coach. Needless to say, for whatever reason, the Texans’ front office is enamored with the possibility of McCown on their coaching staff.
Houston now sits at a very interesting crossroad. Regardless of any reporting on the influence of Easterby, the decision will ultimately be made by general manger Nick Caserio. Caserio, from his press conferences to his presence on headset on Sunday’s, has made it overwhelmingly clear this is his team and as such it will be his decision.
Hiring McCown would represent a beyond unconventional move for a franchise looking for a spark. In a league that too often clamors that potential candidates need both coordinator and play calling experience to take on head coaching responsibility, McCown is a commodity that represents neither. He may be just the moldable ball of clay that Caserio is looking for as he projects to be the NFL’s most involved general manager. It would also leave Houston as the likely laughingstock of the league. The hire would be blasted by local and national coverage, a large portion of the fanbase, and certainly by many around the league who believe in the importance of earning opportunities such as one of 32 coaching jobs.
Meanwhile, after McCown, the field represents a host of promising options that would leave fans less confused. Brian Flores has clear ties to the New England Patriots and both Caserio and Easterby. His success in Miami and clear defensive prowess would excited Houston over the possibility of rebuilding quickly. Not to mention potentially healing their relationship with Watson. Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell, who was reportedly interviewed but the team has not confirmed, would bring an offensive spark and the innovative Sean McVay-Kyle Shanahan offensive system that is currently dominating the NFC.
Even Jonathan Gannon, albeit unpopular in Philadelphia, brings years of scouting experience and coaching in addition to rave reviews of his head coaching potential. This doesn’t even include candidates the Texans would be a perfect fit for and are yet to interview, such as former Texan and current San Francisco defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans.
There are so many exciting, and objectively safer options than McCown for the front office to select as the next coach. Hiring options that would universally be embraced by both the fanbase and large portions of the media. Proven track records with proven success in the NFL that offer a chance at a quick rebuild.
That would be too easy though, in classic Texans’ fashion this has become complicated somehow. Easterby and Caserio have shown their admiration for the mystery box in interviewing McCown for a second consecutive season. Just like Peter in Family Guy, it’s certainly possible that the mystery box could turn out to be the boat. It could even be better than the boat!
However, McCown represents the biggest potential variance and the biggest blowback of any candidate that Houston could hire.
For a team that so desperately needs a homerun for their next hire, maybe it makes sense for Caserio to bet on himself and swing for the fences. Maybe he’ll decide that would be insane and higher one of the four previously mentioned names that make too much sense not to happen. The stakes couldn’t be higher and the perception couldn’t be different.
Regardless, Houston has once again created a fascinating head coaching search for, once again, all the wrong reasons. We’ll see who Caserio ultimately decides to stake his reputation, and quite possibly his job, on as the franchise’s fifth full-time coach.
