The pursuit of happiness
O’Brien is calling the shots — though not in Little League — and having more fun coaching than at any time since arriving
The first-base coach of the Little League allstar team in West University Place tries to stay calm when his team is batting and makes sure he knows his responsibilities.
His manager, Shawn Bacek, showed a lot of confidence in him by making him part of the all-star team’s coaching staff. He does a lot of clapping, offers encouragement and makes sure he remembers how many outs there are.
“I told him I couldn’t coach third base because I didn’t know the signals,” Bill O’Brien said last week, laughing about his game-day duties. “As soon as they get to first base, I point over to our third-base coach (Staton Childers) and tell them to make sure they pay attention to him. “When they get to first, it’s all on him.” When the all-star team was chosen three weeks ago, Michael O’Brien — a pitcher and first baseman — was selected. His father, who is entering his fourth season as the Texans’ coach, jumped at the opportunity to join the staff.
“When they get to first base, I give them a high-five no matter what, whether it’s a hit, walk or (out),” O’Brien said. “It’s good to see the kids have so much fun.
“Being an assistant coach is a lot of fun. I can give my suggestions and not be in charge. I only get nervous when my kid’s pitching. He loves baseball and being on the team, and we get so much enjoyment out of it.” Any intimidation of the umpires? “No way — I’ve been an angel,” O’Brien said. During and after the offseason program, O’Brien said he was having more fun coaching now than any time since he arrived in Houston in 2014.
Because he is calling offensive plays on a full-time basis for the first time since his first season, O’Brien is spending more time coaching the quarterbacks.
“I felt it would help improve the team if I was more involved in the coaching,” he said. “I have more experience. I’ve experienced a lot of things that, hopefully, will help me do a better job with our team.
“Now, I’ve coached all three phases since I’ve been there, but I’m a little more involved with the quarterbacks and the offense and the scripting of practice and the calling of plays. I enjoy being a little more hands-on with the players.” Revolving door at quarterback
O’Brien’s No. 1 priority is to improve the offense, especially a passing game that was wretched last season when the Texans finished 9-7 for a third consecutive year and won the AFC South title for the second season in a row.
“We’ve been too inconsistent,” O’Brien said about his offense. “That’s where I have to try to help improve this team the most and still be the head coach.
“Certain areas of the team have to get better. Offensively, we’ve got to do a better job, obviously. And we have to get better on special teams.”
A defense that finished first in the NFL last season in fewest-yards allowed is the strength of the team. Even the defense has to improve under first-year coordinator Mike Vrabel. Forcing more turnovers and allowing fewer points are paramount to what the Texans want to accomplish.
“We’re not where we want to be,” O’Brien said about the team. “Every year you have to show improvement.”
And that improvement must start at quarterback.
For a fifth consecutive season, the Texans will begin the season with a new starting quarterback. Barring injury, Tom Savage will follow Brock Osweiler, Brian Hoyer, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Matt Schaub.
Rookie Deshaun Watson and veteran Brandon Weeden are behind Savage, who is entering the last year of his contract.
Savage emerged from the offseason program as the starter. But as O’Brien pointed out several times, Savage has to earn the No. 1 job every day.
“Tom’s ahead in how he functions with the offense,” O’Brien said. “He’s been here longer. He’s seen things. He knows how to correct things right away within the system.
“His biggest issue has been health. The fact that he hasn’t been able to be the full-time starter is more about his (injuries).
“You can tell he has great command of our offense. He threw for almost 70 percent in team drills and 7-on-7. Yes, it was just OTAs (no contact), but that showed he’s accurate and knows where to go with the ball.”
General manager Rick Smith traded Osweiler and a second-round pick to Cleveland to clear $16 million in salary-cap space. On draft day, Smith traded up 12 spots in the first round to get Watson.
In the offseason program, Watson impressed his coaches and teammates with his ability to learn the offense. His work ethic was exceptional. O’Brien said Watson developed a strong foundation at Clemson.
“He had to learn a pretty sophisticated offense at Clemson,” O’Brien said. “He had to do a lot of things at the line of scrimmage. I think he was trained really well. That’s a credit to the Clemson staff.
“He’d already been in some big games when he got here. When he came here, he put his head down and came to work every day.” Gushes about Watson, team chemistry
Besides his talent and work ethic, Watson impressed the Texans with his confidence and his demeanor.
“He’s a very poised guy,” O’Brien said. “I like the way he carries himself. I like the way he operates. He’s a rookie, and he’s not nearly where he needs to be to be a full-time starter in this league, but you can tell he’s got a lot of qualities you like.
“For being a rookie, he’s wise beyond his years. He asks great questions in the morning meeting, and you can tell he’s studied the night before. Every practice isn’t perfect. He knows he needs to get a lot better. And he did get better every day during the spring. It’s no pads, of course. It’s not real football, but he did improve in his knowledge of the offense.”
The quarterback gets a lot of freedom at the line of scrimmage in O’Brien’s system. They design game plans that try to take advantage of weaknesses on defense. O’Brien and quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan didn’t take it easy on Watson when teaching him the system.
“We put a lot on his plate during the spring, and he handled it very well,” O’Brien said. “He made mistakes, and he corrected them. You don’t see him make the same mistake twice.
“He can do a lot of things. He can operate our running game and in our passing game. He’s got a lot of athleticism. I don’t think we’ll have to limit him. Training camp and preseason games will be a big test.”
O’Brien spent a lot of time in the offseason observing his players.
“I really like these players,” he said. “I like the chemistry so far. When I walk through the locker room, I see veteran players talking to rookies. I really believe we have a bunch of good guys who understand the team aspect, who’ll do whatever they can to win. That’s what makes it fun for me to go to work every day.
“I really trust the leadership on this team. The leaders on this team know what the expectations are — how we practice, how we meet, how to be on time.”
Last week, Osweiler told the media in Cleveland he was excited to be coached hard on fundamentals with the Browns, inferring he wasn’t coached that way by O’Brien.
Anyone who watches OTAs, minicamp and training camp sees O’Brien and his coaches teaching fundamentals.
“I’m past that,” O’Brien said about Osweiler. “We believe in the way we coach. I wish Brock the best. It just didn’t work out. Every day we try to improve as coaches and try to do everything we can to help the player and the team to get better.”
In the playoffs last season, there were national media reports that O’Brien would be fired if the Texans lost to Oakland, which wasn’t true. Owner Bob McNair denied it, but it didn’t stop the reports.
Those same reports discussed a deteriorating relationship between O’Brien and Smith.
“Those things are out of my control,” O’Brien said. “Rick and I speak every day. We have a strong relationship. It can be an intense environment, but we’re all trying to pull the same rope in the same direction to produce a winner like this city deserves. My role is to focus on coaching.” Still happy to be here
There also has been speculation nationally this could be O’Brien’s last season with the Texans. McNair said in March he would talk to O’Brien about a contract extension after this season when he will have one year left on his deal. McNair pointed out that is how he handled Gary Kubiak’s contract during his eight seasons with the Texans.
“Whatever Bob says, he means,” O’Brien said. “That’s what they’ve done in the past. When that time comes, we’ll sit down and talk. I really enjoy it here. I love coaching here. I’d love to be the head coach here for as long as they want me.
“This is a very, very good staff. We work hard to try to put a winning product on the field. We know how passionate the fans are.”
Kubiak and Dom Capers, the Texans’ first coach, were fired because their teams finished with 2-14 records.
“I don’t really feel any pressure,” O’Brien said. “With all the work we put in, we need to play well. We demand a lot from the players and coaches.
“When you start the season, you’re not thinking about what you did last year. You’re thinking about that one goal and how there’s one happy team at the end of the season and 31 others that aren’t real happy. We’re all striving to be that one happy team.”