Texans head coaching search is already a disaster

Eric Bieniemy will be a sought-after name this offseason. Too bad the Houston Texans do not seem interested. 

All one has to do is look at Deshaun Watson’s stat line to realize the Houston Texans are a coach away from being great. The fourth-year quarterback was near flawless for the franchise on his way to posting a 4-12 record for the second time in four years.

The Texans fired Bill O’Brien after an 0-4 start earlier this season. The intention was for Watson to have a say in the hiring process for the next head coach following a four-year, $160 million extension.

Watson has stated that he believes Eric Bieniemy would be an excellent coach for the club. Jack Easterby might be thinking differently as they enter the hiring process.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Texans are the only team that has yet to schedule an interview with Bieniemy this offseason. On Wednesday, the Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator conducted virtual interviews with both the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New York Jets.

It’s looking less and less like Bieniemy will be the selection down at NRG Stadium.

Can the Texans salvage the right hire?

Houston became the first of seven teams to hire a general manager with the addition of Nick Caserio on Tuesday evening. The former New England Patriots director of player personnel has a long history with Easterby and seemed to be the front-runner for the position since the firing of Brian Gaine in 2019.

With the “Patriot way” now coming to the Lone Star State, the question will turn to who should become the next head coach. Ultimately, the first name that comes to mind would be New England’s offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

However, another name might come into play as well: Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.

Daboll has been an essential part of the emergence of Pro Bowl quarterback Josh Allen since 2018. He’s also seen the offense rise from as low as 28th to fifth in the league for 2020. Daboll also spent 10 seasons working with the Patriots in two different stints.

Watson led the NFL in passing yards (4,823) and yards per attempt (8.9), was third in completion percentage (70.2), seventh in touchdowns (33), and second in passer rating (112.4). He’s not the problem with the franchise and automatically entices coordinators to take the job.

Would Daboll be a good fit to work with him?

Ultimately, Bieniemy seems like the perfect choice for any team, but Daboll would be an excellent consolation prize. However, the Texans failing to even interview Watson’s choice feels as though they are wasting his prime without a second look.