Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Bill O’Brien is likely to be back next season as the Texans’ head coach in 2018.
Recent reports have said that O’Brien could be out in Houston, given that his relationship with GM Rick Smith is considered “toxic.”
However, sources have told Schefter that it’s likely O’Brien returns. The two parties still need to discuss some issues regarding his contract, as he’ll be entering the final year of his the five-year deal he signed with the Texans back in 2014.
Ian Rapoport confirms that Houston is attempting to keep O’Brien, even though there’s a clear disconnect between him and Smith.
According to Rapoport, it’s possible owner Bob McNair could resolve some of these issues by elevating Smith’s position out of the football operation and give O’Brien more say in personnel decisions.
Earlier this week, O’Brien said he wouldn’t quit and plans to coach the Texans as long as they want him in Houston.
“Yeah, sure,” O’Brien said when asked if he would be willing to coach the Texans in 2018, even if he doesn’t get an extension. “As long as they want me to coach this team, I’ll coach the team. We have a good staff, we work very hard. It hasn’t been a good year, we know that. We know the business. we’re not blind to what goes on in the NFL.
“Everybody understands that it’s a bottom-line business but we believe in what we do and again, a lot of those decisions aren’t made by me. So, I just do the best job I can to work with the staff and the players to try to get a win on Sunday.”
O’Brien, 48, was hired by the Texans back in 2014 after spending a few years at Penn State. Since taking the job with Houston, O’Brien has led them to a record of 31-32 (49.2 percent) to go along with two playoff appearances.
We’ll have more regarding O’Brien and his future with the Texans as the news is available.
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