Fansided

5 NFL coaches starting 2020 on the hot seat

By Dustin Baker

HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 04: Head coach Bill O'Brien of the Houston Texans looks on against the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter of the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at NRG Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 04: Head coach Bill O'Brien of the Houston Texans looks on against the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter of the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at NRG Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Houston Texans
Bill O’Brien, Houston Texans. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

1. Bill O’Brien, Houston Texans

Head Coaching Record for HOU: 52-44 (.542)

Here’s the rub on Bill O’Brien. Since he took over in 2014, the Houston Texans have been the league’s 11th-best team vis-à-vis wins. In those six seasons, the team has won two playoff games. This is not poor, but it is perceived as underwhelming when a player as electric as Deshaun Watson is playing quarterback.

O’Brien also makes curious front-office decisions. He traded a third-round draft pick to the Cleveland Browns for running back Duke Johnson. He dealt Jadeveon Clowney, a star, to the Seattle Seahawks. A boatload of high-round picks were sent to the Miami Dolphins for offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil and wideout Kenny Stills. And then top-notch wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins was sent to the Arizona Cardinals for aging tailback David Johnson and picks.

This is a lot of moving and shaking in the trade market and with the roster as a whole. Because O’Brien is the proprietor of these moves, he is entirely accountable. There is no companion general manager to blame.

At the very least, O’Brien must win a playoff game in 2020. And it would help to avoid an all-out meltdown in the following contest, as was the case against the Kansas City Chiefs seven months ago.

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