Texans

Texans Complete Second Interviews With Four Candidates

January 31, 2022

The Houston Texans announced Monday that they have completed their second interview with Rams OC Kevin O’Connell, Eagles DC Jonathan Gannon, former NFL QB Josh McCown and former Dolphins HC Brian Flores for their head-coaching vacancy.

Here’s the updated Texans’ search:

Former NFL QB Josh McCown (Finalist)
Former Dolphins HC Brian Flores (Finalist)
Rams OC Kevin O’Connell (Finalist)
Eagles DC Jonathan Gannon (Finalist)
FAU WRs coach Hines Ward (Interviewed)
Chargers OC Joe Lombardi (Interviewed)
Patriots LB coach Jerod Mayo

O’Connell is a popular candidate right now and is in the mix for the Vikings and Jaguars’ jobs.

O’Connell, 36, is a former third-round pick of the Patriots back in 2008. After five years in the NFL, O’Connell was hired by the Browns as their quarterbacks’ coach in 2015.

O’Connell spent one year with the 49ers before Washington hired him as their quarterbacks’ coach in 2017. He was promoted to passing game coordinator in 2019 and joined the Rams as offensive coordinator in 2020.

In 2021, the Rams offense ranked No. 9 in total yards, No. 8 in total points, No. 25 in rushing yards and No. 5 in passing offense.

Flores, 40, began his NFL coaching career with the Patriots back in 2004 as a scouting assistant. He held a number of positions including pro scout, special teams assistant, assistant offense/special teams, defensive assistant, safeties coach, and linebackers coach before serving as the de facto defensive coordinator in 2018.

Miami hired Flores away to be their head coach in 2019 before firing him abruptly after the 2021 season. Since joining the Dolphins, Flores posted a record of 24-25 (49 percent) with no playoff appearances.

McCown, 42, is a former third-round pick of the Cardinals back in 2002. He played for several teams including the Lions, Raiders, Dolphins, Panthers, 49ers, Bears, Buccaneers and Browns before signing a one-year, $6 million contract with the Jets as an unrestricted free agent in 2017.

The Jets brought McCown back on a one-year contract worth $10 million for the 2018 season. McCown later returned before joining the Eagles on a one-year contract last August.

The Eagles signed McCown out of retirement and added him to their practice squad at the start of the season. Houston later added him to their active roster in November before releasing him in March.

For his career, McCown has completed 60.2 percent of his passes for 17,727 yards, 98 touchdowns and 82 interceptions. He has also rushed for 1,105 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Gannon, 39, got his start in the NFL as a defensive QC coach with the Falcons in 2007. He had a stint as a scout with the Rams from 2009 to 2011 before going back to coaching.

Gannon spent time with the Titans and Vikings before joining the Colts in 2018 as their DB coach. The Eagles brought him in as their defensive coordinator last year.

In 2021, the Eagles’ defense ranked No. 10 in fewest yards allowed, No. 18 in fewest points allowed, No. 9 in fewest yards allowed, and No. 11 in fewest passing yards allowed.